The holidays are here – and the Alliance for American Manufacturing is excited to release our 2017 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide!
This year’s list is filled with ideas from every state and the nation’s capital. We included picks at every price point and for a variety of people on your list, and we also aimed to include a number of American-made ideas that haven’t made the list before. We also shined the spotlight on makers who took part in our 10th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 14, and included several suggestions from readers like you.
But we have more exciting Made in America news!
We’re also unveiling our new Made in America Directory, which shines a spotlight on companies that manufacture their products in the United States. So, if you can’t find the gift you are looking for on this list, head over to the directory for even more great gift-giving ideas!
—Team AAM
Alabama
Exxel Outdoors and its 95 employees make 2 million sleeping bags at a factory in Haleyville every year. It wasn’t always this way; the Haleyville factory was on the brink of closing when Exxel bought it in 2000. But the company bet on Made in America, upgraded the factory – and found success. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: Veteran owned and operated, Redline Steel manufacturers custom home décor products at its shop in Huntsville. Popular items include family monograms and American flags. Reader Pick
Alaska
Artist and entrepreneur Paul Heflinger’s eco-friendly jewelry and artwork company, The Winking Moose, is inspired by the Alaska wilderness. The company is so committed to the environment that it uses as many recycled materials as possible when shipping its products.
Bonus: The Alaska Rug Company, which made our 2016 list, makes its unique household décor using recycled fishing line and rope. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Arizona
All of the bags, wallets, belts and other accessories produced by Lifetime Leather Co. are handcrafted at the company’s workshop. Reflecting its moniker, the company’s products are designed to last a lifetime.
Bonus: Stuffed toy Trouble the Dog has brought comfort and hope to kids going through a hard time, from youngsters stricken with cancer to children impacted by tragic events like the Boston Marathon bombing and Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The sweet toys are made at the Stuffington Bear Factory in Phoenix.
Arkansas
Robinson Lane is best known of its state collection of charms, but the company also makes a variety of necklaces, earrings, and other personalized jewelry.
California
Entrepreneurs Kimberly Caccavo and Kate Nowlan aim to create clothes that make women feel safe, powerful and fashionable with their athletic line, GRACEDBYGRIT. The brand’s products have SPF 50 protection and include other safety features like whistles and pockets to hold a phone. For more Golden State-made clothing options, check out Groceries Apparel, which manufactures its entire line of 100 percent recycled and organic streetwear in Los Angeles.
Bonus: Law enforcement officers, emergency responders, military service members and more carry MAGLITE flashlights, which are manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Ontario. You can find the flashlights at retailers nationwide. Reader Pick
Colorado
Denver’s Sword & Plough gets its name from the phrase “to turn swords into ploughshares,” as it repurposes military surplus into stylish bags and totes. The veteran-founded company also gives 10 percent of its net profits to veteran-related causes and has helped support more than 65 veteran jobs since 2012. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: Begin Again makes its line of toys from sustainably harvested rubberwood, plant-based plastics that aren’t derived from oil, water based stains and natural rubber, ensuring kids can play safely. The Fort Collins company sells a variety of colorful interactive toys, including a line of John Deere-themed tractors.
Connecticut
Bevin Bells is the only dedicated bell manufacturer left in the United States — and the company almost lost it all in 2012, when a devastating fire destroyed its historic 19th century factory. But Bevin Bells rebounded, building a new plant just a quarter of a mile from its original location in East Hampton, where it makes over 50 different styles and sizes of bells.
Delaware
Artist Megan Flachier’s Well Born Clay unglazed bakeware line is made with natural materials and designed to be a substitute for coated baking or roasting dishes. The unglazed cooking surface means that food will not stick to the pan, and the dishes naturally retain the heat of the oven.
District of Columbia
Mother and daughter duo Lisa and Jamie launched Oh Bessie! to “make you and your kids smile.” The whimsical line of children’s room décor, accessories and clothing is all crafted in the United States.
Florida
Owner Cynthia Jennings began crafting Sweet Harvest Farms soaps in her garage in 1998. The company’s line – and customer base – has expanded since then, but Jennings continues to make Sweet Harvest Farms bath products in small batches to ensure quality. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
BONUS: You can find the affordable, durable, and colorful kids dishes made by Re-Play at retailers across the country. Re-Play products are made from HDPE plastic – i.e., recycled milk jugs – and is BPA-free.
Georgia
Marriott hotels sources its towels from 1888 Mills in Griffin, one of the last remaining towel manufacturing plants in the United States. You can find the company’s products at retailers like Walmart. Reader Pick
Hawaii
No flip-flops here! In Hawaii, they call them slippers, and Island Slipper has been designing, manufacturing and customizing the beach must-haves on Oahu since 1946. The company makes a variety of styles for men and women and regularly collaborates with partners like Allen Emonds, Barneys New York and JCrew.
Idaho
The bath and body products from Camille Beckman are all produced at the company’s factory in Eagle, which opened in 2000 as the first green building in Idaho. Despite its size and output, the factory only uses the power of five households, according to the company. Reader Pick
Illinois
You’ve probably seen WeatherTech ads during the Super Bowl highlighting the company’s commitment to manufacturing. The company’s all-weather floor mats, floor liners, cargo/truck liners, mud flaps and more are highly rated and enjoy a loyal following — multiple readers asked that we include the company on this list. Reader Pick
Bonus: Every component of Field Notes paper products are Made in America, including the paper and ink. The company’s trademark notebooks are inspired by those that were sold in gas stations and feed stores at the start of the 20th Century. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Indiana
Purrfectplay owner Pam Wheelock launched her company after discovering that most pet toys included synthetics, dyes and plastics that could potentially hurt her furry family members. Along with providing a safer toy alternative, Purrfectplay donates 5 percent of its sales to no-kill rescue groups. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: Tedco Toys has made science-based toys in the United States for the past 30 years, helping young people have fun while also learning a thing or two. Reader Pick
Iowa
Amana manufacturers its woolen blankets, scarves and throws in the same building where the company first launched more than a century ago. Amana also sells high-end furniture that is handcrafted in the United States. Reader Pick
Kansas
Simone Chickenbone’s beauty products are made with all-natural ingredients that impart therapeutic aromas like avocado oil. The company’s famous Chicken Poop lip balm is sold in more than 700 stores across the country. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Kentucky
L’Oreal USA manufactures its popular line of Garnier Fructis hair care products at its facility in Florence, from items that make great stocking stuffers like shampoo to its line of damage repairing hair masks.
Louisiana
While many potato chip companies use vegetable oil to make their snacks, Zapp’s uses peanut oil at its factory in Gramercy. Although Utz Quality Foods bought the brand in 2011, Zapp’s continues to make its product in Louisiana and is often packaged with a New Orleans-inspired look.
Maine
Portland’s Zootility Co creates functional products with a bit of flare, including its trademark PocketMonkey, which fits easily into a wallet and works as a bottle opener, screwdriver, letter opener, ruler, orange peeler, headphone wrap and more. Reader Pick
Maryland
Based in Westminster, custom clothing manufacturer English American works directly with clients to create custom fit suits, sport coats and tuxedos. Reader Pick
Massachusetts
Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan recently profiled designer Joseph Abboud, who manufactures his line of men’s suits in New Bedford. “It’s chic and cool to be made in America,” he told Givhan.
Michigan
While luxury brand Shinola made a name for itself with watches, the Detroit company continues to expand its offerings, which now include a line of headphones. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Minnesota
Nordic Ware makes many of its kitchenware items at its factory in Minneapolis, employing hundreds of people and supporting the local community. The company sells a variety of pots, pans, bakeware and more that are Made in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
BONUS: Enderes Tools makes a variety of forged hand tools, from chisels to screwdrivers to mason tools to punches and nail sets. Reader Pick
Mississippi
Starkville-based designer Catherine Ann Davis creates artwork, apparel, baby gear, home décor at her studio, hi yall!,, and you can order many of her works online. As is to be expected given its name, everything the company offers has a Southern flair.
Missouri
Klogs Footwear designs and manufactures its classic line of molded polyurethane clogs in its hometown of Sullivan, with options for men and women. Reader Pick
BONUS: Designer Susan Piontek created her lingerie line Sassy Chassis, which made our 2016 list, to help women of all sizes embrace their femininity and strengths. All fabrics for the line are sourced in the United States, and the products themselves are manufactured in St. Louis. Reader Pick
Montana
When Spencer Williams bought a small pet toy company in 1996, he set out to create the world’s safest and highest quality dog and cat toys. Today, West Paw makes its popular line of toys at its eco-friendly factory in Bozeman, and in 2016 was named as One of the Best Small Companies in America by Forbes magazine. Reader Pick
Nebraska
All of the chimes produced by MAAC windchimes are unique and one-of-a-kind, produced using everything from old collectable toys to football helmets.
Nevada
Perfect for stocking stuffers, Kimmie Candy makes its award-winning products at a factory in Reno. Kimmie Candy brought production back from South Korea in 2005, and now makes 2 million pounds of candy in the Silver State every year. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
New Hampshire
Peterboro Basket Co. has been in business since 1854, and the company is the oldest manufacturing company still making baskets in the United States. Today, its products are handcrafted and made-to-order, and can be personalized with a special plaque and even gift wrapped.
New Jersey
Looking for a perfect pair of sheets, pillows, table cloths or other accessories? Check out Lime & Leaf, which works closely with American textile makers to produce its line of household linens. The company also donates a percentage of every product sold to the North Carolina State University College of Textiles, the only remaining college in the U.S. devoted entirely to textiles. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: There’s no excuse for flying an American flag that was made overseas, especially when family-owned Annin Flagmakers has been making flags in the United States since 1847 and currently employs more than 500 people. You can find Annin flags in retailers nationwide. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
New Mexico
For more than 36 years, Albuquerque’s Silverado Home + Apparel has been designing and manufacturing luxury bedding, home accessories and clothing, all with a distinct Southwestern style.
New York
Liberty Tabletop is the only company in America that makes its flatware entirely in America, manufacturing its products at a factory once owned by Oneida Ltd. After Oneida offshored production, Liberty Tabletop founders Greg Owens and Matt Roberts bought the flatware factory, keeping a tradition alive and saving jobs. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: P.W. Minor operates the second oldest shoe factory in the United States in Batavia, where employees make fashionable-yet-comfortable footwear. Reader Pick
North Carolina
Freaker USA’s trademark drink insulators and socks have gained a strong following since the company first launched in 2011 via money raised from a Kickstarter campaign. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: Known for its fun, mismatched patterns, Solmate Socks prides itself on its eco-friendly practices, which include using recycled yarn and adhering to a “zero waste” policy. The company owns the mill where its socks are made as part of its commitment to keeping its products American-made.
North Dakota
Linda Penry turned her love of photographing her home state’s natural treasures into notecard business HayThere Designs. The company offers single cards and notecard packs featuring breathtaking photos of everything from wildflowers to wildlife.
Ohio
Ashley and Brendan Thompson founded 50 Strong in 2012 to prove American manufacturing matters, and its factory continues to make competitively-priced water bottles that are entirely Made in America. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: NPR described the KitchenAid stand mixer as “the tool of the trade of cooking, especially baking.” While the company outsources some of its production, the classic mixer is made at a factory in Greenville, where a 325,000 square-foot expansion project kicked off in 2016. Reader Pick
Oklahoma
Nonni’s biscotti can be found at retailers throughout the United States. The original Nonni perfected her recipe in the little town of Lucca, Italy, but the company now makes its biscotti in Tulsa.
Oregon
The unique pieces handcrafted by The Green Jeweler in Ashland are made from reclaimed pure silver and gold and fair mined gemstones. Artist Andrea Pellicani’s Mesa Verde Peridot collection also sources from small, artisan mines in the United States. Reader Pick
Pennsylvania
Since its founding in 1992, K’NEX has won nearly 400 awards for its line of building toys. Several K’NEX build sets are made at the company’s factory in Hatfield, along with all the rods and connectors of K’NEX educational toys. K’NEX also makes its iconic Lincoln Logs in the United States. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Rhode Island
Ralph Rafaelian started making costume jewelry in the Ocean State in the 1960s, but ran into tough times by the 1990s as his competitors offshored their production. Around that time, his daughter Carolyn Rafaelian launched a small business of her own in her father’s factory, designing pieces for chains like Express while starting work on her own line. And that’s how Alex and Ani, one of the most successful jewelry brands of the decade, was born.
South Carolina
Perhaps one of the more practical gift ideas on the list (or just something to keep handy if you expect houseguests this season) DooDooJuice is a scented oil toilet spray made from natural oils. It’s the brainchild of a South Carolina mom turned toilet odorpreneur who developed the formula as a homemade gift for family and friends.
South Dakota
Newell’s Harmony Cream Soaps are made from goat milk and whole natural oils, and the entire soap-making process is done by hand — from the feeding of the goats to the packaging of each item. Goat milk soap is often helpful for conditions like acne, eczema and even bug bites, according to the company.
Tennessee
Family-owned and operated L.C. King Manufacturing Company has been making high-quality workwear and streetwear in Bristol for more than 100 years. The company frequently collaborates with fashion designers to keep up with modern trends. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: The weighted sensory blankets from Nashville-based The Weighted Blanket Company are designed to ground your body while you sleep, providing a calming effect that help alleviate stress and anxiety. Another thing to help ease your mind? The company offers a one-year warranty on all of its products.
Texas
It’s not just your hair that needs some TLC — beards also need a bit of love, and Texas Beard Co. offers an array of all natural oils and balms to help yours look great.
Utah
Rachel Nilsson started Rags to Raches as a way to sell her children’s hand-me-downs and make some extra cash, but quickly discovered that people were most interested in buying a romper of her own design, called The RAG. After appearing on Shark Tank and getting funds from investor Robert Herjavec, Nilsson saw her company’s sales quintuple.
Vermont
Husband-and-wife team Mark and Linda Baker launched The Vermont Flannel Company in 1991 with a commitment to manufacture in the United States. The company continues to make its handcrafted line of flannel shirts, leggings, scarves, totes, and even dog jackets in America. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: Fly fisherman will love the products from Finn Utility, which are handcrafted by artist and outdoorsman Ryan McDonald. Reader Pick
Virginia
When other furniture makers offshored their production in the 1980s — and foreign makers from places like China started stealing American designs — John D. Bassett III decided to fight. Bassett’s story is immortalized in the 2014 bestseller Factory Man, and his company, Vaughan-Bassett, continues to make bedroom furniture in Galax.
Bonus: Collared Greens is based in Richmond, but its line of bowties and men’s apparel is produced at facilities throughout the United States. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Washington
Beehive Candles are made from 100 percent beeswax, which burn brighter, longer and cleaner than other candles. The company also sources all of its beeswax from beekeepers in the United States. Reader Pick
Bonus: The delightful magnets made by Kate Grenier Designs make a perfect stocking stuffer. Grenier uses recycled bottle caps to make her whimsical collections. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
West Virginia
When the Homer Laughlin China Company introduced Fiesta in 1936, the colorful line of dishes immediately gained a cult following. The company continues to be a trendsetter and now maintains 47 colors in its iconic line. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Bonus: Marble King uses recycled glass to manufacture more than 1 million lead-free marbles every day, which are used for both recreational and industrial purposes. Marbles from Marble King have been featured in movies like The Goonies and Home Alone, and the company made the first Cat’s Eye marble in the United States. AAM 10th Anniversary Celebration Maker
Wisconsin
Men’s shoemaker Allen Edmonds has been handcrafting its classic Goodyear welted shoes in Port Washington since 1922. The company also recrafts nearly 60,000 pairs of its shoes each year, a 38-step process that allows customers to continue wearing beloved pairs of shoes for years to come. Reader Pick
Wyoming
Jackson Hole Hat Co. specializes in making custom western cowboy hats “the old way — by hand.” The company’s retail store and manufacturing facility are located right off Jackson Hole’s town square, but you can also contact the company to place a custom order.
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out past AAM Made in America Holiday Gift Guides: 2016 | 2015 | 2014