Leslie welcomes back Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, for a preview of the newly released 2025 'Made in America Holiday Gift Guide.' (link: https://www.americanmanufacturing.org/blog/the-2025-made-in-america-holiday-gift-guide/)
This year's guide makes it easier than ever for shoppers to find U.S.-made products and support American workers this holiday season.
New polling released with the Gift Guide shows overwhelming demand for locally made goods, with 81% of Americans saying they’re as likely or more likely to buy American-made products this year. The vast majority (83%) of shoppers say they would buy more Made in USA goods if these products were more widely available. The Gift Guide bridges that gap, connecting consumers with the craftsmanship, quality and well-paid jobs that come from buying Made in America.
In its 12th year, the 2025 Guide features 148 manufacturers and makers from across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. There’s an American-made gift for everyone, with finds ranging from model airplane kits and stocking stuffers to jewelry and grills.
Shoppers can browse the guide by state or product category, and a new segment this year highlights brick-and-mortar stores specializing in state-made goods for in-person shopping. Additionally, AAM’s Made in America Directory spotlights 873 companies and their products that are not featured in this year’s Guide.
Leslie and Scott highlight five of the companies and their gift offerings for just a taste of the guide. Here they are:
1 - WicR
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 WicR 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!
2 - Alaska Glacial Essentials Skincare
Alaska Glacial Essentials Skincare draws from its surrounding beauty in Cordova, Alaska, to enhance the quality of the products they make there. This company sources glacial minerals and botanicals for gentle but effective formulas, and all its products are vegan and cruelty-free. Its energy-efficient facility operates on 60-80% community hydropower, and the Certified B Corps company prides itself on a commitment to sustainability. Alaska Glacial Essentials Skincare donates 2% of its revenues to organizations that protect the Alaskan environment, such as the Copper River Watershed Project.
3 - Made-Plus Footwear
The vast majority of footwear today is imported. But Alan Guyan, an alum of Under Armour’s shoe division, saw an opportunity to do things differently. That’s why he started Made+, a luxury athletic shoe brand based in Annapolis. All the shoes are made with 100% recycled yarn — and that yarn is made from repurposed plastic water bottles. These shoes come in all sorts of designs; they even sell shoes specially designed for pickleball. If you’re looking to replace those athletic shoes, Made+ is an incredible choice. (And check out their in-person storefront if you’re near Annapolis!) Lastly, be sure to check out AAM's blog post featuring Made+ from last month, where you can find on their website at AmericanManufacturing.org/blog
4 - High Strung Studios
For the music lover on your list, High Strung Studios hits all the right notes. This woman-owned business transforms real guitar strings into beautiful, handcrafted jewelry made right here in the USA. Each bracelet, necklace, and pair of earrings carries a touch of rhythm and a whole lot of heart, making them perfect for anyone who finds joy in a good song. Thoughtful, unique, and full of holiday cheer, these gifts truly strike a chord.
5 - Cycle Dog
Bring some wag-worthy joy to the holidays with Cycle Dog, a woman-owned company in Portland, making eco-friendly gear for dogs who love to play. Every collar, leash, toy and bed is crafted in the USA using recycled materials, keeping millions of inner tubes and bottles out of landfills. Durable, sustainable and made by a team of passionate makers (and their pups), these gifts are perfect for anyone who wants to spoil their dog, spread a little holiday cheer, and do good for the planet all at once.
Lastly, Leslie and Scott talk about Project MFG. What's Project MFG? Think Top Chef — but for welders, machinists and engineers. Ray Dick, founder of Project MFG and creator of the YouTube reality show 'Clash of Trades,' is inspiring the next generation of manufacturers through hands-on competition and community engagement.
AAM's website is AmericanManufacturing.org and their YouTube channel is youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report")
If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast.
Their handles on X and BlueSky are @KeepItMadeInUSA, and @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social, respectively.
Scott's handle on X is @ScottPaulAAM.
