Great holiday gifts "Made in the U.S.A."
When doing your holiday shopping, why not buy American?
Amy Goodman, author of "Wear This, Toss That!" scoured the country and brought some of her favorite finds to "The Early Show on Saturday Morning."
From gifts for him and her to items for foodies and toys for kids, Goodman showcased a little something for everyone - all "Made in the U.S.A.":
FOR FOODIES
Gourmet Sea Salt Sampler, $20; Salt-Farm.com
This is perfect for the foodie or home cook, who loves a little spice in life! Gourmet sea salt is all the rage and these sea salt samplers are handcrafted by Salt Farm in San Diego, California...You get 5 different salts in a pack--1 default black truffle salt, and the other 4 you choose from 20 different varieties, including Himalayan Pink coarse salt. Comes with an index, a muslin bag and a gift card.
Dancing Deer Holiday Sweets, $25-50; DancingDeer.com/EarlyShow
DancingDeer.com has baked all natural goodies out of Boston since 1994. Here we have new holiday assortments from them beginning at $25, but all collections are offered at incredible price points. No matter what sampler you get, like the Premium Winter Warmer Gift ($40), it arrives in beautiful packaging from red sea grass baskets to towering shaker-style wooden boxes. And I haven't even mentioned how delicious the treats are!
FOR WOMEN
Butter London Nail Polish, Holiday Glitter Trio, $36; ButterLondon.com
Despite the name, Butter London is manufactured in the United States, and I adore their Holiday Glitter Trio nail polishes for its depth of color and luminosity. As more and more women and teens are opting for at-home manicures, it's a fun gift. Given the packaging is so downright pretty, you don't even need to wrap it. Just stick it in a stocking! Colors include Chancer, West End Wonderland and Rosie Lee. Normally a $42 value but because they are bundled together, it's only $36.
Dogeared Charm Necklaces, $42-58; Bloomingdales.com
I have long been a fan of Dogeared charm necklaces because each piece has a symbolic meaning that is listed on its card like Karma and Healing Gem. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, and have proudly been Made in America since DAY ONE. The Wish for a Cure is a special necklace that gives back as the net proceeds benefit breast cancer research. They also used reclaimed silver so there is a green element as well. Available at Bloomingdales.
Hayden-Harnett Campos Carryall bag, $75; HaydenHarnett.com
This gorgeous Made in America Campos Carryall can hold your credit cards, makeup, money and even your key to a brass clip--a mini purse for your New Year's Eve fete! Custom-made for THE EARLY SHOW by Hayden-Harnett of Brooklyn, all materials are USA-sourced, and features a catchy and bold, gold-embossed logo stamp.
FOR MEN
Zero Messenger Bag, $65-90, iPad Sleeves $30-40 & Velcro accessories, $7+; RickshawBags.com
Bags Made Fresh Daily is the catchphrase of the San Francisco-owned Rickshaw Bagworks. They make custom-order bags, and one of their best sellers is the medium-sized Zero Messenger Bag. So you pop online, choose your bag and choose the interior, exterior colors and then the binding. I did it as a sample and it was extremely easy and fun. Then you can fill this 1.5-pound bag with Velcro-in accessories that suit your organizational needs and start at $7. Of note, they've created their own performance tweed that is made from recycled fibers. From the day you place your order it takes 7-10 days to ship, so there's still time if you act now.
FOR KIDS
Alphabet Crayons, $44; BranchHome.com
This is perfect for the parent who is looking for a green present that's educational and fun. I love this gift as a glorified stocking stuffer because Tammy Luce of Massachusetts repurposes used-restaurant crayons and casts them in vintage letter molds. It's instant gratification...this will keep your tots busy come your holiday morning. And finally, a restaurant crayon that doesn't break!
Little Tikes Play Units, $40; LittleTikes.com
This Cupcake Kitchen and Tikes Tough Workshop came straight from Little Tike's factory in Ohio. The company is proud to be Made in the USA, and parents such as myself know and trust this brand for its durability and the creativity it inspires with our little ones. They have an extensive array of products; these are for ages 2 and up. And another plus -especially since these items are so substantial in terms of size and weight, on select items they are offering free shipping.