Made in America: Creating Jobs for Christmas

Just saw your coverage on MADE IN AMERICA. Great! This is a grand opportunity for you – ABC – to help this effort. Create a web page by category (Toys, Clothes, Jewelry, etc) for manufacturers to list their items AND a comparative item made in China.
Americans could use help to make this work. You could be the catalyst.

David

I would love to purchase products made in America, but when you live a busy life, you just want to run into the store grab what you want and get out. One idea, it would help if the stores clearly mark or set an isle with only Made in America products. I guarantee you that would be my first choice when shopping. God Bless America!

While this is a good idea, who has 700.00 to spend on Christmas? Personally, I will be happy to pay the mortgage, bills and maybe have a little extra for a nice Christmas dinner-being unemployed for over 3 yrs make you set your priorites, one of which is not spending money on things that are not important just because some holiday says this is what you are supposed to do.

The gentleman from Canada said it best if you are campaigning for made in America please help us by telling us where to buy the products. I live in Indiana and would certainly like to support Indiana but also American manufacturers.

great idea. too bad LLBean is listed as a “made in America” company. While they do make many things and employ quite a number of people, not all of their items are made in America. I just checked the first two items I could find in the house and one was from El Salvador and one from China.

I will be giving wine from Westport Rivers winery in Westport, Mass. Their champagne is outstanding as well. Virginia Butterworth, Tiverton, RI

Just saw the show, Yankee Candles are made in America and make delightful gifts. Please keep making Americans aware of this issue. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Last month I took Robin Robert’s lead and went to a “Made in America” local shop/factory and purchased the majority of my Christmas gifts choosing some of her “Favorite Things” which included products from the Pass Christian Soap Company in Pass Christian, Mississippi. As Robin mentioned on “Good Morning America” this would not only be a way to support products made in America but by a business owned by local women. This started my quest to find other gifts made locally. I won’t be able to purchase all of my Christmas gifts made only in America but I have found many other gifts at local Arts and Crafts venues. I am making my list and checking it twice!

I purchased quite a few gifts this year and last year from Scentsy which carries wax scent burners and a variety of scents that are made in America. Also Aveda products are made in America. They have wonderful hair care products and a wonderful hand relief lotion for stressed hands.I have spent well over 150.00 so far on American made products and hope others will do so as well.

I have been looking in department stores for socks that are made in America. Finnally, while shopping on line at Bass Pro Shop I found Wigwam crew socks made in America, Red head athletic socks, and Red head hunting socks all made in America. I bought several packs of each. I am in!

James Avery Jewelry is made in the Texas Hill Country out of Kerrville, Texas. They have a wonderful catalog and I believe you can see it online. Go to their website and get locations of stores. I bought my granddaughter a piece of jewelry for Christmas. They have beautiful things for men, women and children. I have enjoyed shopping there for years and enjoy going to the showroom in Kerrville.

Sports related items may be a good way to go. I ordered a large New York Yankees Stadium welcome mat online for my grandson. It’s from WinCraft Sports, ……it’s beautiful!, and it’s made in the USA.

Since your broadcast we have been looking for American made products. Thank you for reminding us how much we can truly make a difference! We found Zingermans bakery in Michigan has a website with delicious gift items you can have shipped. We bought our grandsons tickets to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Disney certainly provides many, many jobs to Orlando residents. Yes, WE ARE IN !!!

We purchase local goods from craft fairs but also love Vermont cheeses, syrups, wines and marble goods. What does your small town sell or manufacture?

BedHead makes beautiful pajamas for everyone in the family, and yes, they are made in America!

Peppermint balls in individual clear wrap (by the bag) made in America. One company has been in business since 1890 Piedmont Candy Co, Lexington, NC Can purchase these at local dollar store for $1/bag. Also recently purchased 4 new tires for auto and was told they were made in America, but I cannot seem to be able to verify that statement. They are Mirada Sport GTX B. Are these tires made in America? Thanks for what you are doing about ‘made in America’.

We are a small Dog Toy Company, Sharkbite Dog Toys LLC. We are commited to producing our dog toys in the U.S.A. We make them at home right now. We are doing our best to expand, but it is becoming a difficult task. Finding a sewing contractor in the U.S. willing to produce our toys is almost impossible. 30 e-mails to U.S. manufacturers with one return that has possibilities. Most of the others returned with “they Do Not Do this type of work” and a couple of others were China companies with offices in the U.S. Our motto “Help us help our economy one dog toy at a time” is one that this company will live or die by. Sharkbite Dog Toys, which is my wife Maria, my sister Anne and myself have made a decision to being part of the answer and not part of the problem that the U.S.A. is having. If anyone that reads this reply and knows of a Sewing Company willing to produce plush, chew tough dog toys, in this country please go to our website contact page and let us know. We will keep producing our toys at home until we cant keep up with the demand, but we can not grow this American company without American Sewing Contractors, and American buyers. Made in America companies still exist. WE just have to find them and buy from them. Thank you ABC news, and God Bless our great country.

I haven’t seen anoything in the comments about the madeinamericaforever.com website. This is as good as it gets, they quarantee that every part of the product is made in America. They also have categories on the left side of page like men’s clothing, home products, garden, kitchen, bathroom, gifts, etc. Pls. check it out! I have used it many times and have not been disappointed!

Mountain & Sackett: Totally hand made neckties in New york since 1957.They are beautiful, made of silk and cost around 60.00. Check them out.

I actually found one gift that was made in the US today. It made me so happy and I am now searching the internet to find more products that I use on a daily basis to add to my shopping list.
To those of you who knit or crochet, Lion Brand yarns are made in the US!!

Check out Wilton Armetale kitchen ware – bread trays, salad bowls, etc. from freezer to oven, grilling to serving, beautiful, wonderful cookware from Pennsylvania.

First off, let me say your Made in America segment has moved a lot of people around me towards buying more made in America items! I am a 16 year old senior at Tri-County Early College High School and I had NEVER bothered to look at where all of the items in my house were made. In fact, it really didn’t start to bother me until I noticed how my parents’ small manufacturing business was declining because of companies moving their business over seas. A&S Clothing had to begin laying their employees off and had to cut everyone’s hours. This, however, changed about four years ago with a partnership they created with Diamond Gusset Jeans. Diamond Gusset is a company that is ALL about made in America. From the fabric, to the stitching, to the final wash, each pair of jeans is completely composed here in the U.S. So, if there is one product I recommend everyone to purchase, it is a pair of Diamond Gusset Jeans; because nothing else could help small businesses like my parents’ keep jobs right here in America! 

this is the greatest Xmas idea yet, if you need or want a light box for your young artist, buy ArtOGraph LightTracer2, it is made in America.

where can i find a list of things that are American made?

To bad ABC doesn’t go to a Disney store, Disneyland or Disney World and look for American made productions. I couldn’t find anything made in America on my last trip tolk, but don’t walk the Disney World! They ragged on the national monuments, but fail to look in their own back yard!

Decided this year for Christmas to give gift cards to my favorite spot in Vermont. The Inn at Manchester, Manchester Vermon, run by Frank & Julie Hanes.. Made Christmas cards and calendar gifts from shutterfly in NC. Trying io Buy local and checking for made in America.

If you know peOple who use yarn a lot then most yarn now is made in america, made in americaaaaaaaaaaaa! Made in America! Like the lion brand and others that I can’t think of the names of noW… But not the point they are made in America baby!!!! Got to love yarn!

Check out craft fairs for homemade products, direct sellers also sell products made in the USA, BeautiControl, Gold Canyon and many more!!

I bought a necklace today made by a co-worker in Salinas, CA. I am always looking for made in the USA labels and buy as much as I can.

Made in America- great idea. so, ABC, show us your made in America. the wardrobes and makeup of your anchors, the cameras, microphones, computers, the cars you drive to visit the folks you challenge, your households. i’m all in, but tired of the preaching. are you at 10 percent?

For my grown children & nieces & nephews – homemade treats! All ingredients made in America, many locally.

I have noticed that certain companies, like Proctor & Gamble, do not indicate the country of origin on their labels.. P&G labels only state that the product is “distributed by Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio.” It was not apparent if the actual product was made in the United States.

There should be a labeling requirement that all products should identify the country of origin on the labeling, as already done by product expiration dates.

Texport camping and outdoor & recreational equipment…. made in the USA. Just bought a cast iron fryer as a Christmas gift…. 2 actually… so there’s my $64 !

Smart Wool socks make a great gift for everyone in the family, even babies.
They are made in America.

I buy Fiesta dinnerware and All Clad cookware to make a made in America statement. Isn’t Lennox also made in America???

Root Candle Company in Medina, Ohio makes beautiful, high quality candles. I find their products here in South Carolina.

I’ve discovered a company that makes wonderful blankets that are Made in America, and just recently reopened, so needs all the business that they can get. I bought two loom woven Acrylic sports blankets made at Faribault Mills in Faribault, MN. Let us give them all the support we can, but not overwhelm them as they’ve just recently reopened. Let them set the tone. These might require deliveries after Christmas, in some cases, but are worth every penny.

You know where a great place is to buy “made in America” gifts? If you have a school near you with an art program that holds a holiday sale, that’s where you want to go. Here in my neck of the woods, one of the local high schools has a glass-blowing art program, and at the Sunday Farmer’s Market, they have a booth where they sell student work. This is some really neat stuff, and in buying it, I not only support American jobs, I’m supporting an arts program in the public school and I’m encouraging young artists. And there’s a chance that maybe one of the beautifully made items I buy may be by a young artist who will mature into a recognized master, and the item I purchased for $20-40 might be worth more than I paid for it someday! And in the meantime, I get to enjoy having it in my home.

Buy arts and crafts made by students at schools in your local area. There’s some beautiful work being done by young people in ceramics, glass, printmaking, photography and other media. You support “made in America,” you support teaching arts in the schools, and you encourage young artists. What’s not to love about that?

What has this country come to when we NEED to set aside some shelving marked “Made In USA”. It needs to be the other way around in the American stores: “Made In __________”. But then again, the stupid ACLU will cry “discrimination”. In this day and age…you HAVE to be politically correct. Wouldn’t want to bite the hand that control our purse strings!

Try these SPECIALTY FOODS MADE IN THE USA:
1. VAN DUYN CHOCOLATES PORTLAND OREGON
2. ROGUE CREAMERY CENTRAL POINT OREGON
3. WASHINGTON STATE CREAMERY -WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY (WSU) PULLMAN, WA
Check the websites of your favorite universities and charities-see what they have that is made
in the USA!!!!

I have trouble finding anything made in America as well. I’ve noticed recently that some companies carry the label “distributed by _____” or something like “made with imported material”. If it was made in America with American products it would be natural to expect it to say “produced in America” or “made in America”. I don’t think there’s any way around it that will be successful at this point. Just look at the way both parties have dived headlong into supporting the trade agreements that clearly result in more and more lost American jobs, contrary to what the politicians say when they sign the agreements.

I’m not sure if it’s true, but I heard Visio TVs and monitors were made in the USA.

We own a small business in Delaware and have been so inspired watching all of the Made in American stories over the last several months that we have found a way to do our part. We have a Christmas luncheon every year with our employees that includes a gift exchange. The memo regarding our annual luncheon is going out today requesting that all gift exchange gifts need to be “Made in America.”

Sweaty Bands is a unique fitness headband produced by a small Cincinnati based company. See the Cincinnati Enquirer 11/26/11 business section. Also a great story about a small startup. These folks might be an interesting story for David to do. Also, for Christmas, think about gourmet agricultural products such as Maytag Blue Cheese from Newton, IA and meat products from The Amana Meat Shop in amana, IA. I have used both of these producers for years.

madeinameriaforever. com has lots of great gifts and products, etsy.com has many American artisans.
I am trying to spend half of my holiday dollars on American products. I hope a lot of people join in, read labels and make the right choice to support our economy.

Do food gifts count? I will be giving Omaha Steaks and Lou Malnatti’s pizza (a Chicago fave) to some on my list this year. I also give World’s Finest Chocolate, which is made in Chicago, with cocoa beans from St. Lucia. But I think it also qualifies as made in America!

Ahuh. So where are these American-made products supposed to come from? How many major companies not named “New Balance” do you know that even make American products still? It’s not over half of products we buy made overseas. It’s WAYYY more than that. I would venture to say 90% would be underestimating. You should’ve been more specific there.

Cant beleive someone would publish this without saying what or were to buy. This is how you support America?

It would be helpful if you could post a list of made in America items that we could choose from.

I just purchased two toys Made in America , from now on I am going to make more effort to purchase items made in the US. Also purchased some Kitchenmaid appliance which I do believe are still made here in the US

“Made in America” but, by Americans?
Considering we live in the US of Corperate America where American tax dollars pay corporations half the wages of Non-American workers. So we are paying to have our jobs taken away; Really? YES

We have purchased leather binders from a local crafter (500.00 for 6) and are making family heritage books for each of our 6 children. Our other gifts will be grocery gift certificates for local organic foods. I do believe that we have spent the entire 70000 budget on made in America items and kept most of our purchases local.

that’s seven hundred dollar budget. I seem to have left out the .

I found a wonderful new product that is made in America. You can get these in kitchen specialty shops around the country. They are baking mitts made of a flexible fabric called “FlxaPrene” that will protect you from up to 500 degree temps. They are non-slip and stain resistant. The product is called “Kitchen Grips” and they protect the lower arm as well as the hands. They are wonderful!

I went shopping for a new dining room set and I found one—flipped the chair over and it said “Made in China” I told the sales lady at Star Furniture I wouldn’t pay $7800 for anything made in China. I paid over $10K for a Thomasville set—I paid more but it’s MADE IN AMERICA and I decided to gladly pay more!

Big websites like Amazon should have a “Made in America” filtered search for products made in the USA for those who care.

I buy locally from our crafters in Northwest Ohio. Swan Creek Candles are the best smelling candles around and Packer Creek Pottery has the best mojolica pottery you will find..

We want to thank you all so much for doing this. We bought 2 dozen golf balls a few weeks ago to give has a gift and they are Titleist. We will only use this brand name of golf balls from now on until they start making others here. My husband and I both try very hard to look for that USA label. He has been a Union man his entire life and we have been doing this but more often recently. Thank you all for bringing this to everyone’s attention!!! Rose and Will Gaynor

Candles from Bath and Body are made in America. I also bought cheese, salmon and beef stick from Hickory Farms that is made in America. I also will but Texas and California wines

My partner and I will be celebrating our 31st Christmas together. I buy a Reed & Barton silver bell for our tree each year – this year we will have 31 silver bells on our tree. In addition, I purchase a silver bell for each of my nieces and nephew for Christmas until they are eighteen years old. My one brother and sister-in-law will eventually have 72 silver bells on their tree – hopefully made in America. Thank you for your wonderful series.

WE’RE IN!, We purchased wine and food items from local comapnies for Christmas gifts. We been hitting all the crafts fairs getting some great unique gifts like hand made soaps, candles and yard art. Hunting season is here so be bought American made firearms, ammunition along with American made military marpat uniforms with BDU’s. If this country is going to come out of this mess we all need to do our part..GIVE A JOB TO SOMEONE IF YOU CAN, if you can’t BUY AMERICAN on everything you can. GOD BLESS AMERICA

Made in NATIVE AMERICA would be so astonishing to see! After your expose’ on how the children of Pine Ridge live without, to uncover means by which we can find items to purchase that not only help the First Nations people to live, but, also, to remind us of the spiritual nature that sustains all life.

I totally endorse the idea of buying “Made in America”! I would like to point out that the colorful Fiesta Dishes are made in West Virginia! I think ABC News is doing a great job in keeping this story alive — well done! Merry Chritmas!!!

I thought years ago when my mom said she was boycotting anything made in China she was being ridiculous and good luck. Well, once again “you were right mom!” :) God bless her and God Bless America. I will be buying more than one gift made in the USA! ABC I think you have started a good movement….more effective than the occupy movement has been. Heading out to shop!

Buy American. I sent locally produced and packaged pears from Rassmusen Farms in Hood River, Oregon to all my family members – over $250 of gifts grown, packed and handled in America. This is an area little covered in the made in America story thus far. Please consider pecans from Georgia or Texas, apples and pears from Washington or Oregon, cranberries from Washington, Willipa Bay or Puget Sound canned oysters, salmon caught and smoked in Alaska or other Pacific Northwest states, pineapples from Hawaii. All of these are other gifts Americans can give to support American jobs and still be very environmentally friendly, sensitive to our many local

I have been advocating buying American for Twenty-five years. I always try to buy made in USA or owned by a USA company. Thank you for doing this. I will be watching World News from now on.
Barbara Griffiths

You can buy the strongest purse hanger ever created and it’s American made: Clipa makes a great little under $20 gift. It holds 45 lbs, lasts 10 years & doubles as a bracelet. Made in Irvine, CA

I fully support your efforts to enlighten Americans that they should try to buy Made in America items whenever possible. One company on your list, however,should not be there…LL Beans. Almost all of their clothing is imported from Asia. Probably the only items in their catalog made here are the wreaths! A company I would recommend to include is Stonewall Kitchens. They sell homemade food products and gift baskets that are very appropriate for gift giving and made in the U.S.

Found a great webite for personalized soaps and candles all made in Vermont! Terrific gifts for the Holidays.

I saw a website of a company that lists items for sale that are MADE IN THE USA. Just google it like I did and you will find them.

Go to Amazon and type in ‘made in the USA’! Buy your gifts and add to your wish list!
Merry Christmas!

Maybe consumers could request/require that our favorite retailers:

Have separate departments inside departments where American Made is easier to find. Such as all the American Mens Clothes are in a separate area of the mens department. That way we could start in the American section first.

OR, Catalogs and Web sites have American Sub Sections of each department.

Now that everyone is buzzing about American, if I were an American Manufacturer I would have a more visible American Flag ~ Tag so it stands out in the sea of imports.

As a side note, we have a local flooring manufacturer here in Asheville that has decided to sell NOTHING that is not made in America. Seems like an effective marketing campaign. More power to him: Leicester Carpet Sales.

Thanks for making American more important.

Sorry for the length of this comment. But, it lies at the base of having an intelligent, thoughtful, critically thinking, independent citizenry, or a citizenry of sheep blindly following what they are told by the “authorities” or “experts”.
As you have written here
“So after nearly a year of crisscrossing the country as part of our Made in America journey, we remembered what economists across the board told us at the very start: If every American spent $64 on something made in America, we could create 200,000 jobs right now.”
The “If every American spent $64 on.. “ statement, while interesting, is very incomplete – How many American?; What kind of Jobs? . What was the model?
Here are my calculations –
150 million Americans times $64 divided by $50,000 =192,000 jobs,
Then divide $50,000 by (40 hours a week times 52 weeks) =$24 an hour

Or in purely mathematical language

(150 million x $64) / $50,000 = 192,000 jobs. AND $50,000 /(40 x 52 weeks) =$24 an hour.
Note: a year is 52 weeks.

If this is correct, then GREAT!!! This is enough to start a serious and powerful national movement. On the other hand if the results were, say, 200,000 jobs at $15,000 year =$7 an hour, then let’s not bother – unless we are talking about part time jobs for high school students!!!
This is setup on a spreadsheet like EXCEL. You type the number of Americans (150 million), then the amount spent by each American ($64), and an annual salary ($50,000) Up pops 192,000 jobs at $24 an hour. Any of these numbers can be changed to get new results. This is called playing “What if” games. Instead of $64, let’s type in the whole $700 that your article says the average American spends for Christmas presents . Wow, we get 2.1 million $50,000 a year jobs. WOW! That’s about one-seventh of the 14 million unemployed. HEY, LET’S MOUNT A MASSIVE BUY AMERICAN CAMPAIGN!!! RIGHT NOW!!! IMMEDIATELY!!!.
These calculations can each be done with a calculator, or by pencil and paper. Both of these methods are very tedious and subject to errors at every step. However, once setup correctly, the spreadsheet is flawless. With some practice, almost anyone can learn to use spreadsheets.
Let’s get power to the people!

We get many catalogs in the mail this time of year with gifts and most are made in China or some other country. What we need is a few catalogs with only MADE IN AMERICA items. This way people would know that there are lots of things that they could spend their money on. More people would be spending the $64 on gifts and would help put many back to work. We need these Catalogs for MADE IN AMERICA.

I am totally in and have forwarded the article to some friends and family and hope they will forward it on, etc. I wish the media would be much bolder in getting out stories that would alert the government on what Americans really want. It doesn’t seem to affect them at all. Saying we should vote out all incumbents is great, but who would do it? Our government needs an overhaul! We work for them, they don’t work for us. What a shame. Where did we go wrong?
And, as an aside, I would ask all of you that might have a place in your huge American hearts to go to a shelter adopt a cat or a dog. So terribly sad that so many adorable (and not so adorable!) cats and dogs are kept in a cage they can barely walk around in for months and months and even years by no-kill shelters. That is not a good existence. Then, when someone adopts and the animal takes time to “come around” the new owner is all too ready to give it back. PLEASE, people, have a heart. All a cat or a dog wants is someone to love them. And usually you can get one that is spayed/neutered for about $20 out the door. And, I know the economy is tight; I also am unemployed. We have 4 cats and 1 dog and I would get more if my husband would allow it. It is so so sad to see the cages that are full to overflowing.
I apologize for straying from the main subject, but I figured if you cared enough about our country, then you were the right people to hear my plea. Thank you.
Buy American this year and beyond. May God bless the USA.

I own a home decor and furniture store in indiana that is over 99% usa handmade. It is difficult work finding American made items, but the quality is unparallelled. I applaud this segment, and would love to see everyone put their money where their mouth is!

I would like to see all American products display the” Made in USA” prominently, as a promotional type feature. I am trying to purchase those products and often it takes reading the fine print to find where a product was made. I do not always have the time to search for the USA manufacture. Also, many items show who distributes them, but not where they are made.

I am searching for some camo bib overallls or coveralls made in America. So far I have found none. any ideas?
Thanks,

Tervis Tumblers and Slush Mugs!!!

It isn’t hard to find MIA gifts (just google Maine Made, and you will find it all!) but it is harder to live daily life with all MIA things. However – BUY Splenda!! The little yellow packets are made in Bucksport Maine, and that paper machine alone keeps 125 people working. Which reminds me – when David Muir showed the big pile of paper printout of ideas emailed in – I sure as heck hope he was showing us paper that was MADE IN AMERICA!!!
Keep up the good work, stay in our faces, and keep calling out the fakers, so we know them as well.
This year our family Yankee Swap has a MIA rule – and the more locally produced the gifts are , the better. It will be fun to see what we come up with for gifts.

Your lead in already says it, but are you brave enough to make the conclusion and share it widely. If we want to bring jobs back here, then we have to stop buying cheap crap made overseas. The best way to do that is to boycott Walmart and Target until they start selling more Made in U.S.A. stuff. Am I better off by saving a buck on something made overseas when the guy next door can’t find work? So Boycott the Big Boxes and Buy American!

When they say “BUY AMERICAN” does that include Candia and Mexico?
Or Central and South America?
How about Hawaii? It a Island?
Just wondering
Richard

I know that this is well after the fact, but I came across this article while trying to find a manufacturer in the US. We are a new company trying to manufacture toys and would like to keep production in the US and keep jobs at home as well as the money. This has been the most difficult if not totally impossible thing to do. There are companies that make prototypes, and companies that do sewing, and companies that do embroidery, and companies that do printing, but none that seem to do all in house as in China. They also act as if you are working for them and not the other way around. The prices have been prohibitive(to the point that the product wouldn’t even sell to the end user for. not to mention shipping and logistics between all of these different facilities. We would love to work with a company in the US who was helpful to a small business, but it doesn’t look as if that will happen.