Santa’s soaking up some rays, but Team AAM is on the holiday hunt!
Finding the perfect American-made gift doesn’t have to be hard! We’re spotlighting some of our favorite finds for kids, moms, dads, and stocking stuffers for Christmas in July, so you can get a head start on holiday planning without the stress. Today’s installment fills in the gaps between these categories. We’ve got plenty of Made in America gifts for birders, hikers, bikers, loungers, crafters, and art lovers.
Need more options? Check out our 10 past editions of the Made in America Holiday Gift Guide here!
Email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for our full 2026 selections. Reader recommendations have uncovered some of our favorite brands!
GIFTS FOR THE OUTDOORS FOLKS
Before your loved ones head out on their next hike, send them off with the Circuit Backpack from Ula Equipment. Made in Logan, Utah, this backpack has been the most popular pack spotted on the Pacific Crest Trail over the past four years. It’s won numerous awards due to its lifetime warranty, light weight, pole loops, and suspension hoop. In case you weren’t already convinced, it also comes customized to your chosen strap style and sizing for both the torso and hip belts.
For the experienced hikers who don’t blink an eye at climbing mountain ranges, they need boots as adventurous as they are. Keen’s Durand II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are built in Shepherdsville, Ky., with waterproof membranes, speed hooks, built-in arch support and multidirectional lugs for increased traction. Add these popular boots to your Christmas list or start stockpiling presents now while the Women’s Durand Hiking Boot is 42% off.
Double up on footwear protection with Moderate Cushion Crew Hiking Socks from Statesville, N.C. Designed with hiking in mind, these socks are engineered for extra durability, softness and moisture-wicking abilities. Additionally, they cater to the specific needs of men’s and women’s feet for the perfect fit.
Crafted in Grover Beach, Calif., Voler’s Reflective Wind Vest is made for those who are out of the house before the sun rises. The race fit provides ample wind protection and clear visibility in low light conditions while keeping your phone and other supplies safe in the three expandable rear pockets.
Ideal for long-distance bike rides, the Stainless Steel Cage ensures that you can take your hydration on the go. The same design has been produced since 1996 to ensure a durable, time-tested bottle holder straight from Durango, Colo.
Of course, if you’re going to have a bottle cage, you’re going to need an equally tough water bottle to withstand your rides. Made in Longmont, Colo., the Polar Surge is a classic option, having been the world’s first insulated, BPA-free sports bottle. The slim design and squeeze bottle feature make for an effortless and drip-free ride.
If you like being outside, but prefer more leisurely activities, then a Freedom Hammock is the best way to soak up the great outdoors. This hammock holds up to 400 pounds while fitting into the attached stuff sack. It also includes 10’ polyester tree straps and cinch buckle attachments to settle between the Smoky Mountain trees in Alamo, Tenn., where it’s manufactured, or in the comfort of your own backyard.
One of the best outdoor activities is a picnic with friends, but nothing ruins the relaxation quicker than sitting on a soggy blanket. Designed to beat the rain of Portland, Ore., the HELLAGOOD 72” Doug Fir Blanket is meant to be as rugged as the outdoors and as comfy as cozying up on the couch. Built with three layers that provide waterproofing and a furry fleece for an “ultra plush feel,” this machine-washable blanket is built for every occasion.
If you really want to impress an outdoor-loving person, the Peep Show Video Birdhouse brings birdwatching to the next level. The birdhouse is carefully designed in Seattle for nesting with a 1-3/8” entry hole to watch baby birds grow up. The real kicker is the Blink 4 Outdoor camera, which allows you to birdwatch from your device, at home or on the go.
GIFTS FOR ARTS LOVERS
If you’ve ever had the urge to create, but felt you lacked the artistic talent, you’re not alone — that’s why Founder Teresa Perleberg created Bear Creek Felting. Her Black Sheep Needle Felting Kit is made for beginners, who can discover hidden creativity when working with wool. The complete kit comes with detailed instructions, wool, a felting cushion, and felting needles to create your own fuzzy friend. Using wool straight from Perleberg’s family farm in Fort Ransom, N.D., the kit allows you to bring a farm animal to life in your own home.
Another beginner-friendly craft is Emily Lex’s Christmas Watercolor Workbook. Designed in Gig Harbor, Wash., with paper made by one of the nation’s last remaining paper mills, this book provides step-by-step instructions on painting 12 pre-drawn Christmas illustrations. Found in retailers across the country, start your Christmas shopping now by grabbing this workbook while it’s on sale!
Hand embroidery is in style once again, making the Keel Billed Toucan Embroidery Kit a trendy gift for the crafty person you know and love. Handcrafted in Washington, D.C., the kit includes a wooden hoop, thread, fabric containing the original pattern print, needle and access to step-by-step online instructions. After you’re finished, the design can be framed and displayed for DIY wall décor.
Let the person who loves to create and consume art recreate The School of Athens by Raphael at home with Mosaic Puzzles. Not only is the puzzle exceptionally detailed, but the pieces are special, whimsical shapes that reflect the story of the artwork. Each puzzle is available in multiple piece counts and is manufactured in Alpharetta, Ga. Perfect for those who scour museums for their favorite paintings, the company contains an entire fine art collection including works from Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Degas, Monet, and Michelangelo.
Beyond creating, curating is an art form in itself. This 8″ Large Blue and White Floral Pattern Ceramic Flower Vase is a perfect gift for a new homeowner or someone looking to add an elegant touch to their space. Created by For Pete’s Sake Pottery in Louisville, Ky., the vase is a hand-painted, one-of-a-kind vase.
Finally, if you have the urge to create without boundaries, FolkArt’s 18 Color Acrylic Paint Set is perfect for aspiring artists. Made in Georgia, these high-quality paints are affordable, non-toxic and paint beautifully over a variety of surfaces. You can order them online or find them at a variety of local retailers such as Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Michaels.
The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.
Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.
For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.