Skip to main content

The Manual’s Made in America Gift Guide

made in america
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Every holiday season, we see an overwhelming influx of products made overseas. While it’s okay to give your loved one items made in China, there’s much to be said for gifts made in the U S of A. Generally speaking, purchasing American-made products is better for the environment (shorter shipping journey), better for workers (fairer wages), and just plain . . . better. They might cost a bit more than most overseas products, but they usually last longer, too. So if you’re looking to go above and beyond this holiday season, take a quick look at these fine products — all of which are made in America.

Custom Engraved Rocks Glassesrocks glass

Rocks glasses are an essential part of any home bar, whether one likes his spirits neat or, well, on the rocks. If you purchase a pair of rocks glasses from Iron & Glory, you can choose from a variety of awesome designs, including an octopus, anchor and spear, or elk skull. Iron & Glory also allows folks to create a custom engraving for extra special gifts.

$20 for 2

Madison: The Candlestick Candlecandlestick burned

Nothing sets the mood quite like a candle. They’re also essential during power outages and, of course, reenactments of pre-20th century events. This item appears to be a cylindrical candle with candlestick, but that’s not exactly the case — rather, it’s an all-wax candle shaped like a candle and candlestick. The top part supposedly burns for 4.5 hours, and the base burns for another 12. All candles are hand-cast at Revolution Design House’s Portland, OR workshop.

$24

Boxcar Planterlow res boxcar burned

If you like Revolution Design House’s shtick, but are looking for something a little more permanent, you might check out the Boxcar planter. These handsome planters are made from Ash, and come with stainless steel inserts that make a cozy home for succulent plants. Getting one of these planters is a perfect way for your loved one to add a little life to his living space.

$66

Camp Stoolcampstool_brown burned

Seating is an important aspect of camping. Though your loved one probably won’t be doing much camping for a few months, he’ll probably do plenty of sitting. Wherever your loved one wishes to sit — whether it’s at a tailgate party or in his living room — he would do well to have one of these camp stools from Wood & Faulk. It’s made of stained ash hardwood and English bridle leather, and comes with a leather carrying strap.  

$165

The Stash Leather NotebookStash journal burned

Every gentleman and scholar should have a trusty notebook in which to jot down novel ideas, grocery items, hip hop lines, what have you. If you know of a gentleman writer who is need of a handsome leather notebook, consider purchasing this tasty number from Bull & Stash. It’s made with beautiful oiled leather, and comes with 30 pages of paper bolted in with metal hardware. It’s also refillable.

$50

Draper IIIdraper III burned 2

Though Mad Men is over, its style is not. If there’s a gentleman in your life who you believe can pull off this fedora, consider getting it for him. The Draper III is made from high-quality, superior fur felt and comes in five excellent colors. Legendary hat maker Bailey was certainly around during the Mad Men era, and even provided hats for some of Hollywood’s greatest leading men, including Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, and members of Rat Pack.  

$325

Makr Laptop Casemakr_laptop burned 2

If the fella in your life takes his laptop where’er he roams, then he would likely appreciate a protective case. In addition to being sturdy and durable, this 13″ clamshell case from MAKR looks real pretty. It’s made from heavy cotton duck fabric bonded to foam-lined sanded twill. As an added bonus, there’s an edge on the zipper designed to prevent the zipper from coming into contact with the device inside.

$130

Backpacker Cologne Sample Kitbig backpack cologne burned 2

We absolutely love Juniper Ridge, and will never miss an opportunity to tout their excellence. If the gentleman explorer in your life enjoys the scents of the great outdoors, he would doubtless appreciate this sample kit of fragrances distilled from wild plants of the American West. All wild plants are sustainably harvested, and Juniper Ridge donates 10% of their profits to wilderness conservation.

$35

Rogue Soapsroguesoaps_siskiyouforest burned

Though nice-smelling soap isn’t too hard to find around the holidays, Rogue Soap is pretty danged special. These soaps are inspired by some of the most beautiful spots in Oregon, including the Rogue River, Siskiyou Forest, and Crater Lake. Scent profiles include honey and oatmeal, cedar and sage, and extra-strength peppermint. For every unit sold, United By Blue will remove one pound of garbage from America’s waterways.  

$8

Ultimate American Jacketultimate 3

United By Blue is also offering a pair of uniquely American jackets that are insulated with bison fiber. If it’s warm enough to keep bison alive on the frozen wastes of Wyoming, it’s warm enough keep your loved one comfortable on his outdoor adventures. The sucessful Kickstarter campaign only has three days left, so you’ll need to act fast if you want to snag the Bison Snap Jacket or Ultimate American Jacket at a heavily discounted price.

$178 or $298

Editors' Recommendations

TJ Carter
Former Digital Trends Contributor
TJ Carter wears many hats, both figuratively and literally. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2011 with a degree…
CBD 101: A doctor tells us how to use CBD for sleep, anxiety, and pain
CBD is great for a variety of use-cases
CBD Hemp oil, Doctor holding a bottle of hemp oil, Medical marijuana products including cannabis leaf, cbd and hash oil, alternative medicine

In recent years, CBD (cannabidiol, for those of you wondering what does CBD stand for) has emerged as a popular natural remedy for a range of health concerns, from sleep disturbances and anxiety to chronic pain. But how do you use CBD effectively to address these issues? 

We spoke with Dr. Chris Adlakha of Elevated Wellness to get expert insights into the world of CBD. In this article, we'll explore what CBD is used for and provide guidance on its usage. 

Read more
What UFC champions Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling eat while cutting weight in fight week
Spoiler alert: There's a lot of protein
Chicken breast and broccoli

Whether you're a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA) or just curious about the behind-the-scenes routines of professional fighters, you might be wondering how UFC champions "Suga" Sean O'Malley and Aljamain "Funkmaster" Sterling get ready for fight week.

One slightly controversial part of their prep is cutting weight up to the fight. Weight cutting is a common practice in most combat sports and refers to dropping weight before a competition to compete in a specific weight class.

Read more
Shohei Ohtani all but gone, MLB franchise LA Angels may also lose Mike Trout: Report
Our GM hopes they both move to Chavez Ravine to play for The Dodgers
Shohei Otani playing baseball

The Los Angeles Angels may be on their way to a major team overhaul. Shohei Ohtani, who is one of the best and most innovative two-way players in the history of baseball, has already made it clear that he wants to leave the team, and now, news has broken suggested that Mike Trout, the team's other major star, could also be on his way out the door. Needless to say, losing both of their major stars could have an enormous impact on what the Angels look like moving forward.
Shohei Ohtani is almost definitely leaving
At the end of this season, during which Ohtani has been riddled with injuries, the phenom will be a free agent, and those closest to the league suggest that he's likely to sign with another team. Everyone from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the New York Mets is expected to pursue him this off-season for understandable reasons, and Ohtani has previously made it clear that he's not necessarily thrilled with the way this season has gone for the Angels, who are set to miss the playoffs completely.

Ohtani has yet to formalize any sort of deal with another team, but the question seems to be more about where he'll end up than whether he'll stay with the Angels. The team did choose to hold onto him past the trade deadline, a move they say they don't regret, so it's still possible that the two sides find some way to come to an agreement. In all likelihood, though, Ohtani's time with the Angels is done, and he'll be in a new uniform when the next season starts.

Read more