Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Amanda’s Made-in-the-USA Gift Guide
Well, here I am, boycotting black Friday and the holiday weekend shopping frenzy instead of hitting the mall, so it seems like a good time to get to work on my annual concession to consumerism: a guide to gifts made in the USA. Not only is it great to support American manufacturing, and especially locally made goods, but I’m always trying to find obstacles to buying—sort of like putting the cookies in a hard to reach spot when you’re trying to diet. Restricting myself to made-in-the-USA gifts makes the search more challenging, and the gifts more meaningful. Here are this year’s ideas:
The cotton beanies from Love Your Melon are warm but not itchy, and come in a bunch of oh-so-hip color choices.
Not only does 1888 Mills make their towels in Georgia, they use American-grown cotton as well, and I’m all for monogramming if it’ll make the kids stop using my towel.
Aprons that get use take a beating. Colorful and sturdy aprons from ColorloomHome on Etsy come in tons of great prints that hide the stains of a good cook. (insert link)
I love to stuff a stocking with socks. Darn Tough socks are made in Vermont and built to last.
Slippers are a classic gift. Orvis’ shearling-lined double-sole mocs can make the trip outside to get the paper, and they’ll last a lifetime. My Dad has had a pair of these for as long as I can remember.
For the well-dressed man, nothing says Christmas morning like a red shirt. Best Made’s manly is cheery but not hokey.
Strider balance bikes are a great antidote to screen culture, and Strider offers free shipping anywhere in the U.S.
I hope these ideas inspire you to concentrate on less but better this holiday season!