Beat the supply chain shortage this holiday with these US-made gifts
If you tend to wait until the last minute to do your holiday shopping, headlines like “How the Global Supply Chain Might Ruin Christmas” in the New York Times, and “How Supply Chain Issues Will Affect Holiday Shopping” in the USA Today, might make you think twice.
The Problem
In case you’ve been living off the grid for the last year, the supply chain issues are primarily related to the pandemic. Between a crippled workforce and a shipping container shortage, supplies have been low and transportation slow.
Businesses that rely on parts from overseas have been stuck waiting months before they can manufacture their products. Any gift that contains a computer chip is especially at risk for selling out early, (even if they are assembled in the US). This includes TVs, laptops, and accessories, even some advanced vacuums like Dyson.
And of course, any product manufactured entirely overseas may not be available or sell out early in the season. Even if there isn’t an issue manufacturing the product, there have to be shipping containers available to get it to the US, and a ton of containers are stuck on boats waiting to be unloaded.
Container cargo ships sit off shore from the Long Beach/Los Angeles port complex in Long Beach, CA, on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Solution
But don’t fret! The silver lining here is that some of the best gifts don’t come from overseas. What’s more: some don’t come from a store at all!
Focusing on those tough-to-shop-for folks, we’ve compiled a list of products from shop-small, US companies and offer alternative experiential suggestions, too. Whether you choose to buy from local makers or gift something not-so-tangible, here are some options resistant to the supply chain shortage.
For the Gamer
Support a small business
Bring it back to a deck of cards! A few hundred years before the PS5 was invented, humans had to get their entertainment from a deck of cards. With so many years of development, there are hundreds if not thousands of games to play with a deck of cards. Best of all, there are no subscriptions or micro-transactions to worry about.
Every gamer should have a deck of cards on hand, and if you really want to impress, we suggest looking at the cards made by Art of Play. They are beautiful and extremely well-made. They’re manufactured by a US Playing Card Company entirely in the US, so they’ll have the same build and quality as Bicycle cards.
If you still want some sort of tie to the technical age, check out Waterfield Nintendo Switch Case for the mobile gamer. Made from handmade leather in San Francisco, we can think of no classier way to travel with your system.
CitySlicker Switch Carry Case in Waxed Canvas, $88
Gift an Experience
Alternatively, entice your friend out of their gamer chair by starting an old-fashioned game of tag, capture the flag, football, soccer, sardines, or cops and robbers. Nothing like some true physical competition, especially when you’re engaging grown adults (talk about a funny scene for your neighbors).
Other experiential options appreciated by gamers young and old, no matter their gender, include: escape rooms, a movie at the theater (action preferred), or a trip to a water or theme park. And while these aren’t as directly related to Minecraft or Call of Duty, we like to think cooking classes, couples massages, or wine/beer tastings to be good opt-ins, too. There’s more to life than a winning score, after all.
For the Co-Worker/Kids’ Teachers
Gift an experience
Co-workers and teachers usually expect very little around the holidays, if anything. Which makes gifting for them that much more important! The people we work with and those who raise our kiddos are some of the most hardworking people we engage with on a daily basis. Your acknowledgment of this will be much appreciated.
A gift card to a local bookstore with a handwritten note setting the intention for your recipient to “take some you time, grab a favorite warm beverage, and get lost in a magazine or a book!” is a sweet reminder for them to practice self-care (and so much more thoughtful than the overdone Starbucks gift card). Gift cards to nail salons or spas are also usually welcomed with glee—especially for those in the service industry. A subscription to a meditation app is another way to support them while showing you care for their well-being.
Support a small business
We always sway towards self-care items for hard workers because the sad reality is that they’re probably working too hard to realize they need to take a step back for themselves. Anything bath-related or nourishing is a good bet. Here are some of our favorites:
For the Host/Chef
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We all have them: the naturally gifted friends who are beyond talented at welcoming you into their homes, cooking amazing meals, always recommending the perfect wine pairings, or suggesting the most amazing things to do/see/eat during your visit. These types of people are the best. But since they’re already so good at so much, gifting for them sometimes poses a problem. Don’t let that stop you! These unicorns will certainly love anything that replenishes their stock. Take a page from their book, do a tiny bit of research, and you’re sure to surprise them in return.
Our favorite gift to give our chef and host friends is local consumable fare.
Every city or town has craft makers. Visit a fair or farmer’s market in your area and do a lap or two to scope out the best products. Think hot sauce, jams, spices, sauces, meats, honey, eggs… even ice creams and beverages like fair trade coffee. We love local markets for their plethora of options, friendly faces, and free samples! Any host/chef would be delighted to be gifted unique, small-batch ingredients from local makers.
Here are some amazing, hand-crafted consumables we carry that are made here in the US:
Gift an Experience
If they live a distance away from you, train, bus, or even plane tickets to come to see you is a great way to swap roles and let them be tended to for once! Most people like traveling for a change of scenery, especially since we’ve all been stuck at home for so long. If tickets feel too extravagant, a wine subscription is always fun and takes the stress off of you to know what’s good. Finally, experiences like tarot readings, gardening/houseplant workshops, or cooking classes are sure to help you make memories together that will last for years.
For the New Parents
Our brother and his wife welcomed a baby girl at the end of October, and finding a gift for them has been high on our priority list. New parents are most often exhausted, depleted, and in need of an extra hand (or 2, or 8!).
Gift an Experience
Babysitting is the first thing that comes to mind, and probably the most valuable! Since these are new parents we’re talking about, they might not be 100% comfortable with a stranger watching their precious babe. Offer to come over, watch their kiddo(es), and do some light chores around the house while they take a much-needed nap or go out for an hour to grab lunch together. If the baby is a little older, you could gift a day-getaway experience just for mom or just for dad to ensure they’re getting time to remember who they are as their own people! Think a 1-night staycation at a Boutique Hotel for mom, or a leisurely golf game or hometown concert with his pals for dad.
Support a Small Business
Check out Earth Mama Organics. Based out of Oregon, they’ve been producing all-natural, high-quality products for the last 20 years. They have everything from pregnancy to postpartum, belly oils, balms, etc. These can be a godsend for new and expecting parents. Other great physical gifts include slippers, sleepwear, and coffee. Because, you know, sleep deprivation. 🤪
For Kids
Support a Small Business
Forget about gifts made overseas with a bunch of plastic, hi-tech components, and annoying sounds that make you crazy. Go natural and old-school. There are a bunch of amazing small businesses here in the US that sell adorable children’s gifts.
The two biggest we love are Gladfolk and Odin Parker. Crayon Rocks is also a favorite, though they make only a few products.
Gift an Experience
Face it: kids remember experiences more than their toys. Spending quality time with kids is truly what they crave, even if they might not know how to express it yet. Think back to when you were their age to come up with the perfect present. If they’re really young, fun activities around the house usually suffice. Think fort building, playing make-believe, dressing up, letting them paint your nails/do your hair (hide the scissors!), etc. If they’re a bit older, seek out trampoline gyms, science museums, and kiddo-friendly movie theaters. Trips to the Zoo, Aquarium, and Library are also always a treat.
To Wrap Up
Remember, there are a lot of wonderful small businesses that you can purchase gifts from this holiday season. We highly suggest checking out your local farmers market or any pop-up tent market in your city, especially throughout November and early December.
If you feel you need a little more help this holiday season, we’re here and willing! We look forward to helping you put a smile on someone’s face.
Best of luck on your gift hunt! If you know of any other US-based companies that make great gifts, let us know in the comments below. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season!
