Unique holiday gifts made in Alabama

The holidays are just around the corner. Its fun to give unique gifts that will be remembered and appreciated. Finding that perfect gift locally made by an artisan or manufacturer from Alabama just got a bit easier.

The quality is usually much better. It feels good supporting a local company or artist rather than the Big-Box corporate stores, and it’s important to share our regional businesses with others.

Aviate 

This Birmingham startup has really taken flight! They took a great, simple  idea and ran with it. Almost everyone has traveled on a plane and easily recognizes the three-letter airport codes assigned to the city they are heading to, or have just left.

Aviate has taken these letters and put them on hats and t-shirts. You can shop by region (they have them all) and even a few international destinations are covered.

Find the one that brings back incredible memories from past adventures or one for upcoming trips. These cool hats and shirts are also a neat way to show your civic pride.

Earthborn Pottery 

Earthborn creates beautiful, locally made pottery that is useful and really well made, with interesting lines and colors. They make and sell  hand-made dinnerware, platters, bowls, bakers and more.

Much of Earthborn’s inspiration comes from the nature in Alabama; the green pine trees, red Alabama soil, and our violet sunsets. This might be the perfect gift for your mom, or that creative, cool aunt that you want to remember during the holidays.

Mattox Knives 

OK, so we guys are hard to buy gifts for. No matter if he is an office dweller, or an outdoors-man, all guys like knives! Mattox Knives, from Pinson, AL,  are one of a kind with amazing wooden handles, and hand forged blades.

The perfect gift for knife collectors, cooks, or anyone who loves handmade quality, with a lifetime guarantee. A Mattox pocket knife just got added to my Christmas wishlist!

“Experimenting with steel finishes & handle compositions are what makes my knives different. They may have inclusions or tool marks but the ‘imperfections’ are what tell the story from raw materials to finished product.”

– Michael Mattox, of Mattox Knives.

zkano socks

Who else thinks socks are the perfect stocking stuffer? zkano manufactures their organic cotton socks at their family mill in Fort Payne, Alabama. They  have a huge assortment of designs. The socks are fun and quirky with cool graphics and unusual color combinations. Please take a look at zkano’s website, they have a worthwhile philanthropic project, Mom-Doll Project, that uses “second” socks as the materials used to make dolls for children in need. You can mail-order zkano socks, or find them at Whole Foods.

Our socks are simple, but they are good. I’m deeply passionate about supporting USA manufacturing, delivering a product that’s both high quality and comfortable.

Gina, owner Zkano socks.

 Red Land Cotton

Situated at the foot of Bankhead National Forest, the Yeager family has farmed cotton for three generations. Along with their high thread-count, luxurious sheets, Red Land makes cute kitchen towels, pillow covers and other home decor items. Grown in our rich red Alabama soil, Red Land Cotton has gifts for those on your list who appreciate the finer things, and those who appreciate a little humor in their dish-towels too.

Fairhope Soy Candle Company

A classy scented candle is always a great gift choice. Fairhope Soy Candle Company began hand-pouring environmentally safe soy candles in 2005, in Fairhope, Alabama.

Fairhope candles are extremely fragrant whether the candle is lit or not. They use only 100% cotton wicks. Their ‘Winter Cabin’ scent is perfect for holiday gift giving, and yes, they have a ‘Pumpkin Crunch’ scented candle that is a customer favorite.

Connie Ulrich

To wrap up our selection of Alabama gifts, we  found jewelry designer and goldsmith Connie Ulrich of Huntsville.

“I continually seek inspiration, as I move through life, observing the beauty within natural surroundings, architectural forms and found objects.”

Connie Ulrich.

Connie Ulrich’s jewelry expresses her deep connection with the natural beauty of her farm. Her work is organic in its evolution, unpretentious, and refined. Each piece is hand fabricated.

A variety of materials are used from platinum, 18k gold, sterling silver, diamonds, to rusted steel and pebbles. For a special gift, for that special someone, visit her Huntsville studio or shop online.

Alabama has such a rich, diverse community of craftsman, artisans, and cool startups. Certainly this holiday season you can find a special gift made in Alabama!

What are some of your favorite local go-to vendors for made in Bama gifts?