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Image credit: Eric Noll/ABC News
In the 1960s, nine out of 10 holiday gifts that Americans bought were made in the U.S. But these days, more than half of what Americans purchase for the holidays is made overseas.
So with U.S. shoppers expected to spend more than $700 this holiday season – and the average shopper having already forked over about $423 just last weekend – “World News” took to the streets of New York City recently as it kicked off the return of its “Made in America Christmas.”
Kim Hoffman of the Poconos let ABC News peek inside her bags outside of FAO Schwartz.
“Oh, I hope it’s American,” she said of the items she’d just purchased.
But the teddy bear inside bore a “Made in China” label. In fact, according to the U.S. census, Americans spent $2.5 billion on Christmas toys made in China last year.
Marianella and Denise Sorita traveled from Mexico to buy U.S. products but found Chinese tags inside two shopping bags.
Economists say that if each American spends $64 on U.S. items this h0liday season, they’d create 200,000 jobs.
Made in America 2012: Gift Ideas From Made in America Companies
Last year, the effort to get people to buy at least one U.S.-made item for Christmas transformed schools and communities.
In Vernon, Vt., for instance, there was more than $550,000 in pledges to buy American products for the holidays.
Dina Cooper of Virginia didn’t have anything in her shopping bags that was made in the U.S. but she was ready to take the challenge: buy one thing for $64.
“I’m in,” she said. “I guarantee it. Yes, I will.”
Are you in? Visit the MADE IN AMERICA Map and Find Made in America Goods
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Posted by: Cindy | November 28, 2012, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
I all ready bought a Christmas gift that was Made in USA! It is fireplace bellows for $99 through Plow n Hearth website – I’m in!
Posted by: Nanette | November 28, 2012, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
For our office Yankee Swap we are insisting all gifts be Made in America. We did it last year and it was a lot of fun and very successul.
Posted by: Annmarie Jarzembowski | November 28, 2012, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
Vera Bradley purses and accessories, Godiva chocolates, AAA memberships, they are typical items I give as gifts every year
Posted by: Marsha | November 28, 2012, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
200,000 jobs Wow that’s incredible. Finally something that makes sense..
Posted by: QRAND | November 28, 2012, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
I have purchased gifts from,a LOCAL made in America business. Maple products from Tqylor Brothers Sugar HouseFarm in Meeiden, NH. So far I have sent two gifts totally
Posted by: Polly | November 28, 2012, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
Your newscast would be better received if you reported on businesses that made it easy to buy American…don’t you think?
Posted by: tom griffiths | November 28, 2012, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
Browning makes a really cool metal key chain in the shape of a deer head with antlers, comes in various colors…and it is made in america and costs under $10.00
Posted by: Rhonda Burnett | November 28, 2012, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
I’m in! I already bought some items from Stein Mart that are made in America. One is a men’s hat by Henschel Hat Company U.S.A. Stein Mart has lots of made in America items.
Posted by: Donna | November 28, 2012, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
I buy most of my gifts at local arts/crafts fairs. All made by the artists.
Posted by: Suzette seagoe | November 28, 2012, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
Most senior citizen centers have gift shops featuring homemade items. Costs are usually affordable and proceeds support seniors.
Posted by: Phoebe | November 28, 2012, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
Bought 2 gifts already from Vera Bradley!! Made in America!!
Posted by: Terri | November 28, 2012, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Will do. Would like a list so it would be easy to find things
Posted by: Connie | November 28, 2012, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
Nice thought but poor reasoning. Unless everyone spends their $64 at the same place to buy the same locally produced item, the chances of the $64 finding a limited number of companies would never support the claim of creation of 200,000 jobs.
Posted by: wantingbalance | November 29, 2012, 8:31 am 8:31 am
I am in. I am also in to buy autos from our own companies. It will save so many jobs and put money back in our own economy. Why send billions back to Japan? Michigan was devastated by the Japanese cars. So many men lost their way of life in Michigan.
Please help the American Auto Companies this Christmas.
Posted by: Ron Coticchio | November 29, 2012, 10:26 am 10:26 am
While this campaign is a step in the right direction, ABC needs to go shopping in their own small world. Get over to any Disney Store, off or on property at Disney World, and find American made products. After you started this buy American campaign I visited many shops on the Disney property in Orlando. My wife and I looked high and low in every shop we went into including most of them in Downtown Disney stores and surprise of surprise we could count the American made merchandise on one hand.
So maybe your corporation could lead by example. If they buy more USA made products, we can buy them from Disney. Then more Americans can afford the $85.00 it cost to get in the gate.
My friends and family will tell you that I make every effort to buy American as much as possible. and I have done it for years. Union made, even better.
Also, the corporations denying they do not know where and who is making their products is just a big lie. They know where every penny is spent. This is a example of the free market and the one percenters exploiting everyone for a fast and deadly buck. $1200 bucks for a life and 21 cents an hour, See workers don’t need protection or government intervention.
Posted by: Dan McMurtrie | November 29, 2012, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
I always look for MADE IN USA. I order all my cards/stationery from Current, Inc. of Colorado Springs. My plastic gift containers for cookies are made by Arrow Plastic Mfg. of Elk Grove Village, IL. I have found plastic shovels/rakes/wagons for the kids made in USA. Toy airplanes made in the USA by Guillow’s. Kitchen items: Snapware containers, Kwik-Kut choppers, spatulas by JWS Jersey Wood & Metal Specialties, Jelly knives by COMPAC Industries of Decatur, GA. Betty Crocker Candles made in USA by Branded Home Scents.
Most candy canes that you find in the stores are MADE IN MEXICO. So I buy them at the local candy maker. Hershey’s has outsourced much of their production to MEXICO. Only their kisses and original candy bar are still made in the USA. Reese’s products are made in the USA. So READ YOUR CANDY LABELS carefully.
Posted by: Lorena | November 30, 2012, 10:24 am 10:24 am
“Economists say that if each American spends $64 on U.S. items this holiday season, they’d create 200,000 jobs.”
What’s the source for this claim? Which economists?
Posted by: Aaron Mayzes | November 30, 2012, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
I just watched the world news, made in america, so why can’t I find the cell phone cover on your list?
Posted by: Eleanor Hein | December 5, 2012, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm
I watched David’s Made In America and want to find the company that makes iphone cases. Don’t the know spelling of the name of the company so I cannot go on line and find it. Could you get it to me I’d like to get a bunch of cases for X-Mas.
Thank you
Posted by: Nareshimah Osei | December 5, 2012, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
Based on an ABC News report I ordered a supposedly Made In America, Element brand 38 inch TV from Costco online. Guess what? Made in China!
Posted by: John Powell | January 1, 2013, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm