It is that time of year again, and why not support local businesses when shopping for loved ones this Christmas?
For years now, national news outlets like Fox and ABC News have run segments showcasing various “Made in America” gift ideas from small businesses located across the country.
However, it is not just small businesses that are located in the U.S. nowadays. A trend toward nearshoring manufacturing processes has been witnessed of late among larger U.S. companies.
For instance, Texas-based fashion manufacturer Barrington Gifts, as The Dallas Express previously reported, is jumping on the nearshore bandwagon as a result of higher tariffs to import its products from China, where they have been fabricated for 22 years.
How to Buy What’s Made in America
Thanks to a consumer push for greater transparency about where their products come from, there are many easy, foolproof ways to find American-made gifts.
For instance, the Made in America Store allows customers to browse through 110,000 products online if they are not able to visit one of their brick-and-mortar locations near Buffalo, New York. Opened in 2010 by Mark Andol with the mission to “save and create American jobs, especially in manufacturing,” this store offers general merchandise that is 100% American-made.
For customers looking to make buying “Made in America” a permanent practice, check out the tools developed by Cultivate. Using either the company’s website or a browser plug-in, customers can shop through a database of 100% authentically American-made products — including those available through Amazon.
The high number of goods sourced from China on Amazon has drawn criticism in the past. Yet, the e-commerce giant’s website does offer a specific search option for products sourced and manufactured in the U.S. and even highlights small businesses.
Nonetheless, it is important to scrutinize your purchase carefully before buying because “sponsored” products can turn up in the search that are not actually American-made.
What to Buy That’s Made in America
If you are still looking for some inspiration for your last-minute American-made gift purchases, check out these options.
Clothes
Buck Mason, a California-based clothing company, makes a Made in America line of t-shirts “grown and sewn” in the U.S. The company co-founded by Erik Allen Ford and Sasha Koehn sources cotton from Texas, California, and Georgia and was recently featured by ABC News.
For more apparel options, try All American Clothing which is a family-run business that sells — you guessed it — solely American-made clothes since 2002.
Jewelry
A Christmas gift that sparkles does not have to include precious stones from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, or Russia. Gems made in the U.S. avoid the controversies common to the global gem market and support local mining operations and jewelry makers.
They source jewelry brands like Young in the Mountains, founded by Mariele Ivy in Denver, Colorado, which uses either recycled diamonds or blue, green, pink, and lavender Montana sapphires.
Consumables
For loved ones who happen to be foodies, surprise them with some American-made nibbles from your local bakery or confectionery shop.
If you are looking to really impress, gift some Texas-grown saffron. Family farm Meraki Meadows grows and sells this coveted spice, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
A more economic option might be found at a veteran-owned American-made seasonings business in Florida: USA Seasonings. This is an online shop that offers customers a variety of small-batch spice blends, salts, peppers, sauces, olive oils, and loose-leaf teas.
For instance, try the military-grade steak seasoning for a robust rub, including coriander seed, black pepper, thyme, and lemon peel, among others. The shop also offers a line of loose-leaf tea varieties, including Kentucky bourbon. This strong tea offers the malty, sultry notes of bourbon without the hangover.
Furry friends can also be treated to American-made eats this holiday season. Based in Austin, Texas, Yumwoof offers natural pet food that is 100% sourced from the U.S.
