Because some people are picky!
Ask my poor mother: I am both “hard to shop for” and “hard to surprise.” Sorry, Mom! But what seasoned gifters may not realize is that those of us who fall into those categories are actually not too hard to please; We just have a greater love for experiences or practical things! If you’ve found yourself on this blog and Black Friday is imminently approaching, here is an assortment of gift ideas from our 12th Annual Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, tailored especially for your “hard to shop for” loved ones by someone else who has been called that. Let’s get to it!
Food
Those who are “hard to shop for” oftentimes are particular about what they acquire or are looking to downsize the number of possessions they have. They don’t want clutter! SO what do you do then? Gift them food! With American-made food, the place of origin can tell a story (and all the stuff is delicious):
Founded in 1901, the Idaho Candy Company has been making its candy in house since 1901. Over the last 120 years, the confectioner has released over 50 different candy bars but has stayed true to these original flavors: Idaho Spud, Old Faithful, Cherry Cocktail Bar and Huckleberry Gems. They’re a great novelty gift (and delicious).
They have been baking Mississippi Cheese Straws in Yazoo City, Miss., for the past 80 years. Its mom’s recipe turned into a family-owned company that has created a unique southern treat. The cheese straws are baked and shipped fresh daily to locations worldwide. Makes a great stocking stuffer.
The Hatch Chile Store in New Mexico’s Hatch Valley procures its produce from thousands of acres of prime farmland and has been in the produce business for more than 100 years. If chiles are your game, the Hatch store offers many varieties to add to your Mexican-flavored dishes.
If you’re looking for a new brew in the morning, look no further! Panorama Farm grows its coffee in Puerto Rico. It sells coffee grounds, beans and mugs! Alongside its arabica bean coffee, the company invests in social impact farming. All proceeds from coffee sales are directly invested in their entrepreneurial education program for young students. Panorama Farm is helping to inspire and assist the next generation of business owners.
Practical Gifts
If food is not quite the style of gift you are looking for, “hard to shop” for people also enjoy gifts that fill a need or provide an experience. Gifts that can make their everyday easier or help them try something new adds to their life! Consider:
Have you always wanted to be a plant parent but were too scared you’d forget to water them every day? Fear no more: WicR is a self-watering product that makes it a lot easier. All you have to do is place the device at the bottom of your pot, cover it with soil, and place your plant in. Then, after an initial watering, the WicR will self-water your plant for seven to ten days. A game-changer for plant care!
Did you know that cornhole is a professional sport? Cornhole players of any level can appreciate the boards from Cornhole Solutions. Based in Talbott, Tenn., Cornhole Solutions sells boards intended for intense competition and more casual, backyard games. They’re a little pricier, but these boards are built to last!
From Port Townsend, Wash. comes Artifact Puzzles’ intricately detailed jigsaw puzzles. These are really cool. The company uses a small batch manufacturing model to avoid overproduction and offers a wide variety of styles, including by level of difficulty for more advanced puzzlers and even has a few hand-cut puzzles, made with a real jigsaw!
Elsewhere in Washington state is Emily Lex, which found meaning in becoming an artist and the impact it has on those she influences. In creating her watercolor art, prints, cards and coloring books, she is inviting others to slow down with her, enjoy each stroke of the brush or pen and find beauty in the moment. Each paper product is labeled with where it is manufactured; nearly all (including the stickers) are American made.
Full Disclosure: 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.
The Made in America Holiday Gift Guide 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.