I just saw something on TV about people running around with “Made in America” tee-shirts trying to talk everyone else into buying Christmas presents that were made in America, and naturally, my cynical self wondered which East or Southeast Asian Sweat Shops the tee-shirts were made in.
So I looked and it turns out that at least some of these shirts are actually made in America! So that’s cool.
So, it got me thinking, what other cool last second gifts are there that are Made in America that an American Citizen might want to buy for their Uncle they forgot to get a present for. And there are some:
One idea is Buck Knives. They’ve always been made in the Good Old USA, and they are a reliable and trustworthy brand …. oh, wait, no … it can’t be true. It turns out that Buck Knives are often made in China these days. Here’s what Chuck Buck of Buck Knives says:
Now that you are family, you might like to know a little more about our organization. The fantastic growth of Buck Knives was no accident. From the beginning, management determined to make God the Senior Partner. In a crisis, the problem was turned over to Him, and He hasn’t failed to help us with the answer. Each product must reflect the integrity of management, including our Senior Partner. If sometimes we fail on our end, because we are human, we find it imperative to do our utmost to make it right. Of course, to us, besides being Senior Partner, He is our Heavenly Father also; and it’s a great blessing to us to have this security in these troubled times. If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, may we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you.
OK, forget Buck Knives.
How about toys by “Green Toys” such as this cool dump truck. . They have other toys as well that look pretty cool. I see no overt God references. This could be a good choice. Anybody got any experience with Green Toys?
How about this giant Stuffed Gorilla Ape Also Known as Giant Monkey??? The claim is that is was made in the USA too.
Then there’s the gift basket. The Made in America Artisan Gourmet Basket in Wood Crate is a little pricey at nearly 90 bucks, but it is Made in the USA!
There. That should just about do it for my Holiday Shopping this year.
Wait, wait, Mad Scientists suggests Dremel Tools. That is an excellent idea!
Can I add Dremel tools? They’re made in America – North America even – somewhere in Mexico.
If you don’t mind giving consumable gifts, there are wonderful American artisanal foods, beers, and wines that most people wouldn’t dream of buying for themselves. I just had some amazing Humboldt Fog soft-ripened goat cheese with grape-leaf ash from Cypress Grove Chevre in good old Arcata, California. I was also pleasantly astonished by Coppola’s [!] California Claret, currently on sale at my local vintner.
Most of these are too pricey for everyday eating, but people really appreciate them. Last year I gave my Tea-Party-Supporting, Kroger-shopping (but really misses A&P) Mom a pound of Humboldt Fog for Xmas, and she really enjoyed it. (I didn’t tell her it was made from goat milk, or that it cost ~$20/lb, I just said it was “fancy brie.”)
With the exception of Eastern European pickled vegetables, all the best food and drink I’ve had in the last year comes from the US. (Sure, we can’t feed our poor on a day-to-day basis, but no one does feasts like us. USA! USA! USA!)
Source your materials and make it your self. Now you know it’s “made in wherever you are”.
Handmade gifts are awesome, though not always very last-second-amenable. I’m giving a few handmade things (though I’ll admit the yarn is actually from Norway — I do love Dale Heilo).
Tonka Trucks at least *used* to be made in America (invented in Minnesota!), but I’m not sure if they still are. Hasbro bought them years ago, and they’re not what they used to be. Not shin-splitting sheet metal, for one thing. 😀 I still have my dump truck, which I played with as a little girl many years ago.