A week ago, I mentioned how difficult it is to find products made in the US and not in China. I said I was going to challenge you to help people shop for the holidays from, if not locally, at least from the US or from whatever country my readers live in. You should have been on the hunt. Now it’s time to see what you’ve found. Here are some products I know are made in the US.
WeatherTech, located not far from us in Bolingbrook, Illinois, makes all sort of products for cars, from floor mats to license plate holders to pet barriers to keep your pets safely in the second or third row. Look into them for the man or pet owner in your life or just to keep your vehicle clean!
Many/most of Nordic Ware’s products are made in the US and they also use US ingredients whenever possible.
Buy Titleist golf balls for the golfer in your life. They’re made in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Not sure about their other products, though.
Consumer Reports had a useful article in 2013 about which products are actually made in America, a list including major brands and such stalwarts as Crayola crayons, Little Tykes toys (here’s a list of which toys are US made), Stetson hats (for over 150 years!),and other major brands just right for gift-giving. AmericansWorking.com has listings for all sorts of products made in the US as does USA Love List.
Of course, you can always shop close to home, from people who make their own products, whether food, clothes, crafts, etc. Buy local cheese, wine, craft beers, maple syrup, honey and candles made from bee’s wax, food and crafts from farmers markets, etc. and you’ll be buying from not only your own country but from local merchants and artists.
Now over to you. What can you recommend? Thanks for participating and feel free to post any other related comments or, if you sell something, to let us know what it is and where we can find it. Extra points if it’s also made from US ingredients/products (or from those in your country, if you’re not from the US.)
This, that and the other thing 
Oil and farmed salmon – made in Norway. Both are horrible for the environment, but we send money to third world countries that doesn’t pollute a lot, so that we can pollute more (‘climate quota’ or whatever the English term is for that scam).
Have to agree with “scam”, Cardinal. Thanks for the comment.
janet
I can’t really contribute because we don’t live in the USA, but I can say that we proudly support all things that are made locally and I hope everyone will think of that whilst buying gifts this Christmas.
Thanks, Susan. Feel free to add something made in France, though, as I have readers from there as well.
janet
What a great idea, Janet. I keep a Pinterest board of items made in NH so here is the link: https://www.pinterest.com/NEGardenThread/nh-manufactured/. There is also a wonderful chocolate shop in Portland, Maine, Dean’s Sweets, that is nut free and ships. 🙂
Thanks very much, Judy. I’ll check out your Pinterest board. And chocolates. Mmmmmmmm!
janet
We just did some shopping for electrical supplies for Rob’s shop we’re building. The shop is a metal frame building that is being built by local skillsmen, was fabricated here in the US but not sure the source of the iron/steel, the concrete was also sourced from local materials and the framing/finishing done by our neighbors. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the breaker box and breakers are made in the US too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_D
We’ve taken inventory of things before to see how much was locally produced and it was discouraging at first. Food, labor, crafts are easy enough to source from close to home. Clothing, shoes, and anything related to fashion is hard to find made in US with enough variety or at affordable prices.
Thanks very much, Madison! I agree that fashion items that aren’t imported are difficult to find or, if found, as you say, expensive, and that’s not just at big box stores. I’ve look at the labels from high-end companies and if not made in China, they’re usually made elsewhere in Asia or from Central America. It’s an eye-opener for many people.
janet
I like to knit with yarn made in USA. I really like Quince . https://quinceandco.com
Thanks, Laura. I have friends who knit, so I’ll pass that on to them.
janet
I love this post!! You see… I live in Fall River, Ma., once the largest textile producing center in the United States during the 19th century, with over one hundred mills in operation by 1920.
The Great Depression, followed much later on by the Globalization and Foreign Competition completely destroyed the city.
But something is changing as we now are slowly witnessing some great manufacturing companies emerging in Fall River. This is very exciting to me!! From the Olympic USA uniforms, to New York fashion runways, to hottest lines of yoga apparel, and handcrafted leather bags… Here’s the links to some of my favorites:
http://www.newenglandshirtco.com/
http://www.goodclothingcompany.com/
http://yogasmoga.com/
http://frankcleggleatherworks.com/
https://www.projectrepat.com/
Great! Thanks for the bit of history, all too common in manufacturing, and the good news of more things made in the US and, for you, locally. Thanks for the links, too.
janet
https://www.socklady.com/
I own several pair of these cozy, high quality, perfectly mismatched solmate socks. I love them.
Thanks for adding this again, Honie.
janet
Roots is a Canadian company that makes leather goods and apparel. I don’t think their clothes are made in Canada, but their leather footwear, bags, and other leather products are. http://www.roots.com/
Thanks, Karen. I can’t wait to take a look.
janet
I just wanted to add a little footnote to bythebriny’s comment. I discovered quite recently that Roots clothing is actually manufactured in Canada by a company called WS & Co. They manufacture clothing behind many private labels including Roots and the Gap as well as the Canadian Olympic clothing for both Roots and HBC.
http://www.wsandcompany.com/about-us/north-american-apparel-manufacturing/
Thank you Joanne — that is good to know!
Thanks, Joanne. I’m really enjoying all the input, although I suspect there are people who know other places who haven’t mentioned them. But it’s a great start!
janet
I’m hoping to go US made for the next year but am not sure that’ll work on everything we need/use. I’m thinking its more of a shift over a few years- especially for the durable goods.
To help keep money local my community has a coupon book that can be purchased each year (ours is the Be Local, Seattle has the Chinook Book, so lots of excamples). A few people are getting the book as their gift!
That’s a good gift. Thanks for commenting.
janet
This is ingenious! And a great task. Have fun everyone.
Lots of helpful comments and links.
janet
Janet,
This post is fabulous. It’s needed too. It’s a super idea.
My husband and I have an on-line business. Also, he does art shows with the work.
Everything is made by him. We were both born in Brooklyn, New York.
Our products are made in America – Florida USA.
They’re unique, whimsical and tailored to whatever anyone wants as we do custom orders on size and colors.
Anyone who mentions that they saw our shop here when ordering will receive 15% discount.
Thank you,
Izzy 😎
http://www.etsy.com/shop/copperwhimseasbyal/
Izzy, thanks for the wonderful offer of a discount! I hope someone takes you up on it. Once I get caught up on comments, I’ll head over to see what your shop has. Do you like Etsy? We have an art student (now graduated) daughter and it would be great for her to find a place to sell her work.
janet
Yes, we like Etsy. I’m not very good at marketing it yet. I hope to do better in 2017 – my goal. But, it’s fairly priced for listings and sales. It’s free to create your shop. I would have her give it a go. If you have anymore questions just send me an email and I can help with whatever I can. 👍🏻
Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to list our shop.
Izzy 😎
Izzy, his work is so cute!
Thank you, Janet. He has a wonderful sense of humor which I love. I appreciate your stopping by his shop. 😎
Some of my gifts that give back are made in the US such as the jewelry of Bird + Stone, the soaps from b.a.r.e soaps and the blankets from Siestas for Fiestas. We are fortunate as we have tons of local shops in Minneapolis that sell locally made goods too.
Nicole, thanks for adding those places. I’m excited to check out some of the links that people have shared.
janet
This is very interesting and informative to read, Janet. The state of Washington has many natural resources and agricultural riches. One of my favorite cheeses is made at WSU in Pullman, a land-grant university. Their creamery serves up delicious ice creams, but the star of the show is Cougar Gold — a crumbly, rich, white cheddar that melts in your mouth.
https://creamery.wsu.edu/
Wine grapes grow over acres in many nooks and cranny’s throughout the state, and the winery industry is alive and well! If you’re interested in a dry, crisp white wine, look for Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling at your local markets — or order it!
https://www.ste-michelle.com/
For soothing aromatherapy, soaps and lotions I highly recommend the handcrafted products of Island Thyme. Family owned and located on Orcas Island, Washington their products are lovely.
https://www.islandthyme.com/
I love Ste. Michelle wintery wines! I visited the winery twice in the past (somewhat distant past, but…) and loved many of their offerings. I forgot to mention our favorite cheese maker, Carr Valley Cheese in Wisconsin. We stop every year in Mauston on our way to Wyoming and get cheese curds and lots of other cheese and usually stop on the way back, too. There are lots of great local cheese places in the US. If you like goat cheese, I highly recommend Mackenzie Creamery in NE Ohio. I worked with them at the North Union Farmers Market in Shaker Square in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights. Their cheeses are award-winning and delicious!
I like the name Island Thyme. 🙂
janet
Nummy, Cougar Gold! Plus the Made in Washington store’s smoked salmon.
Island Thyme is very proud and appreciative to live in a region that values local-made hand-crafted products as much as the Pacific Northwest does.
Thanks for mentioning us in your local list, Lindy!
My photos are all shot in the US. Just sayin’. In case anyone has an empty spot on their wall. 🙂
And lovely shots they are, Emilio. 🙂
And cheap, too! 😉
Great Post!! Titlelist the only ball to play with. Very interesting History of Titelist Golf Ball!!
Thanks for stopping by, Dwight, and for commenting. I’m not a golfer, so I’ll take your word for it. 🙂
janet
Thanks for giving the names of the business you found. I try to buy made in the USA as much has possible. I did find this interesting in looking at toothpaste, Pepsodent, was the only one I could find made in the USA.
It´s a good idea to buy products from people who grow their own food or make their own crafts and then sell them. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting. If we want to keep small businesses alive, we have to make a point to buy from them.
janet
I think made is USA is fine.
Thanks for stopping by, Syna, and for commenting.
janet