Finding a good gift for a guy is hard. Finding a good gift that is also American-made? Harder. The average American household spends over $900 on gifts during the holiday season. National Retail Federation - Holiday Spending Data So I built this list to make sure that money goes to products worth owning.
Organized by price because that is how most of us shop for gifts. Every item here is made in the USA by brands we have researched and reviewed. FTC Made in USA Standard
Under $25
Darn Tough Vermont Socks ($18-24). Made in Northfield, Vermont with a lifetime guarantee. These are the socks that convert people. Once someone wears Darn Tough, they never go back to cheap socks. See our full socks roundup.
Richardson 112 Trucker Hat ($20). The standard trucker hat. Made in the USA and available in dozens of colors. Simple, well-made, and everybody wears them. See our trucker hat roundup.
Pocket Handkerchief ($12-15). A small, practical item that most guys would never buy for themselves. American-made cotton or linen. Old-school and useful.
$25 to $50
American-Made Beanie ($30-49). Stormy Kromer, Darn Tough, or Wigwam. All knitted in the USA. A beanie is the gift that gets worn every day from November to March. See our beanie roundup.
Leather Keychain ($25-35). A small leather goods item from an American leather shop. Brands like Orox Leather in Portland or Popov Leather make beautiful keychains that age well.
Lodge Cast Iron Cornbread Pan ($30). Made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee since 1896. If he cooks at all, he will use this. See our cast iron roundup.
$50 to $100
Flannel Shirt ($52-95). All American Clothing, Pointer Brand, or Stormy Kromer. A heavyweight flannel is the kind of gift a guy wears for years and thinks of whoever gave it to him. See our flannels under $100 roundup.
Leather Belt ($55-85). An American-made leather belt from brands like Orion or Hanks. A good belt lasts a decade. A cheap belt lasts a year. See our belt roundup.
Camp Blanket ($80-120). American Blanket Company or Faribault Woolen Mill throws start in this range. Something for the couch, the truck, or the campsite. See our blanket roundup.
Pocket Knife ($50-100). Buck, Case, or Benchmade. An American-made pocket knife is a forever gift. See our pocket knife roundup.
$100 to $250
Red Wing Boots ($200-350). The classic American boot. Iron Rangers, Moc Toes, or Blacksmiths. If you are buying for a guy who wears boots, this is the gift. See our boots roundup.
Canvas Jacket ($95-248). LC King Pointer Brand chore coat or a Tellason coverall jacket. A canvas jacket gets better with age — more patina, more character. See our canvas jacket roundup.
Leather Wallet ($60-150). An American-made leather wallet from brands like Popov, Mitchell, or Ashland. A good wallet lasts 10-20 years. See our wallet roundup.
$250 and Up
Schott Leather Jacket ($700-900). The Perfecto or the Cafe Racer. Made in Elizabeth, New Jersey since 1928. This is a once-in-a-lifetime gift. See our leather jacket roundup.
Heritage Watch ($300+). Shinola, Weiss, or RGM. An American-assembled watch with a story behind it. See our watch roundup.
For the Guy Who Says He Does Not Want Anything
He is lying. He just does not want junk. Here is what to get him:
Darn Tough socks. Under $25. He will wear them and he will notice the difference. Then he will buy more himself.
A good pocket knife. Every guy uses a knife. Not every guy buys himself a nice one.
A quality beanie. Stormy Kromer. He will wear it all winter.
For the Guy Who Already Has Everything
Skip the objects. Go with these:
An experience. A factory tour at a brand he loves. A knife-making class. A leather workshop. The memory outlasts any product.
Consumables. American-made hot sauce, craft whiskey, or small-batch coffee. Things that get used and enjoyed without adding clutter.
A subscription. A coffee subscription from a local roaster or a quarterly box from a brand like Bespoke Post. Gifts that keep showing up.