Made in the USA: Under $30 Christmas Gifts for Friends

American Icons, Featured Article, Made in America
on November 27, 2013

Finding the perfect Christmas gifts for friends can be a difficult task, but don’t worry. We’ve got your back. We’ve scoured the country for the best gifts made in the USA and guaranteed to please the sweets lover, the outdoorsman, the vintage lover and others on your list. Reinforce your spot as the No. 1 BFF with our under $30 gifts for friends.

squirrel-brand-nuts

Café Carmellata Au Sel Pecans, $25.99, 18 oz. tin
McKinney, Texas
squirrelbrand.com

“You are about to enjoy the most precious nuts known to man.” Those words printed on the gold foil seal of each tin of Squirrel Brand nuts may seem like hype. It’s not. These nuts are that good. A cross between candy and a dessert, Café Carmellata au Sel Pecans feature a rich sugar and butter toffee coating with a dash of sea salt and a hint of espresso.

tipsy-wine-glasses-orvis

Tipsy Wine Glasses, $24.99 pair
Sunderland, Vermont
orvis.com

Tipsy Wine Glasses should come with a warning: May cause confusion! With a slightly bent stem and tilted bowl, well-balanced glasses appear ready to spill before the first sip. Great for white elephant gift exchanges or other holiday get-togethers, these hand-crafted conversation starters are sold in sets of two.

tervis-fiesta-tumblers

Tervis Fiesta Tumblers, $11 each
Venice, Florida
tervis.com

Friends with an eye for vintage will love these unbreakable Tervis tumblers inspired by classic Fiesta glassware. Splashy stripes, paisleys, plaids and florals add style to traditional double-walled plastic tumblers. Complete with the Fiesta logo and dancer, the insulated drinkware is dishwasher- and microwave-safe and made of BPA-free, high-grade polymer plastic.

sucre-peppermint-stick-drinking-chocolate

Sucré Peppermint Stick Drinking Chocolate, $16, 12 oz. tin
New Orleans, Louisiana
shopsucre.com

Opening gifts or watching classic Christmas movies will be even sweeter sipping a mug of rich, chocolaty Peppermint Stick Drinking Chocolate from Sucré, a New Orleans-based boutique candy maker. Stir flavorful peppermint-laced melting chocolate into warm milk and top with handmade Tahitian vanilla marshmallows ($10) for the ultimate holiday refreshment.

cherry-country-pistachio-dark-chocolate-bark

Triple Cherry & Pistachio Chocolate Bark, $16.95, 8 oz. bag
Rickreall, Oregon
thecherrycountry.com

Give your cherry-loving friends the trifecta with all-natural, preservative-free snacks with Triple Cherry & Pistachio Chocolate Bark from The Cherry Country. Dried bing, tart and Royal Ann cherries from the Willamette Valley are stirred into rich, dark chocolate and sprinkled with lightly sea-salted pistachios for a holiday treat no one will want to share.

mother-ruckers-sweets-2013-gift-guide

Mother Rucker Sweets Holiday Brittle Collection, $26.95, 4-box gift pack
Fort Worth, Texas
motherruckers.com

Give the gift of homemade cookies without the headache of in-home holiday baking. Made from an old family recipe, Mother Rucker Cookie Brittle is a hybrid — buttery like shortbread, yet crispy like a cookie. Sprinkled with coarse sugar, delicate triangles are carefully stacked in 8 oz. boxes. Gift collections (Cocoa, Eggnog, Gingerbread and Peppermint flavors) arrive cheerfully adorned with a festive holiday ribbon and a keepsake snowflake ornament.

john-wayne-spice-rubs

John Wayne Spice Rub Gift Set, $24.95
Bogart, Georgia
fireandflavor.com

The Duke enjoyed sitting down to a hearty barbecue with friends and family. Your friends can too. Whether they prefer chicken, pork or beef, all-natural John Wayne Spice Rubs pack a flavorful punch. Crafted in the U.S.A. using high-quality spices and ingredients, the rubs arrive in handsome glass jars with John Wayne’s signature on the box.

takeya-iced-tea-maker-gift-guide-2013

Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker, $29.99, 2-quart
Huntington Beach, California
takeyausa.com

Friends who enjoy a tall glass of iced tea but can’t wait for fresh-brewed tea to cool will love the Takeya Flash Chill Iced Tea Maker. Brew, chill, serve and store tea in one dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, acrylic pitcher. A simple shake of the leak-proof pitcher chills fresh brewed tea in 30 seconds.

national-park-socks

National Park Socks, $19 pair
Niota, Tennessee
magellans.com

Perfect for outdoor pursuits, nature-loving friends will enjoy FITS National Parks Socks. Made of a soft merino wool/nylon/spandex blend that adds warmth and comfort without bulk, these high-performance socks sport a deep heel pocket and cuff that stays up through hours of activity. A portion of the proceeds from each pair sold benefits America’s national parks, the colorful landscapes that inspired the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone and Olympic Mountain sock patterns.