I don’t know how many of you saw the ABC special about products made in America, but I found it fascinating. Here’s the link. I applaud the family who agreed to have their home furnished only with products made in the USA, but no television? Sorry, you lost me. A few years ago I had the idea that Jason and I could start a store called Made in America and it was fun dinner conversation for a few nights but that’s as far as it went. I think if it were easier to buy American we would. I know I would.
So, the special got me thinking about how I can make a conscious effort to buy more things made here. I plan on doing a monthly feature on this very subject, but today, let’s start with the one thing for Gage that we bought organic and locally made, his crib. We bought this from Kids Collection Furniture, which is halfway between our house and where my family lives, so my cousin and Dad brought it up. I confess that I ordered it late and because I wanted it organic it took a long time to arrive. But Gage wasn’t going to be sleeping in it the first month anyway! It is beautiful, but it was more expensive and did take an effort to find and get home.
(This picture is a few months old)
I know that the only think in his closet made in America is the sweater that Jenny made for him. That’s sad. I’ll be looking for companies that make clothes here.
The one thing I thought was safely made in America was his books. Adult books are published here, so kids books are too, right? Well, Friday Gage and I went through his small library and we were both shocked (okay, I may me exaggerating Gage’s participation) at how many of his books were made other places. Every single board and book that was made for babies under 2 years old is made elsewhere. Not one made in America. As for the rest it was about a 50/50 split. Here he is to show the discrepancy. Those made in America are still on his bookshelf and the three huge stacks on the floor were made elsewhere.
It’s not easy to buy American. It takes time and effort. I hope that this year I can start making a small contribution to the cause. Before anyone thinks that I am going to be a zealot about it, rest assured that I do not have the time or energy for it. I’m talking about being more aware of where the stuff I buy comes from and hopefully this will lead me to buy more locally. I asked Jason if he wanted to join me in making a combined effort, but he informed me that he had no problem supporting workers in China. He said this tongue in cheek, but you get the point. To each his own.
Do you have a good recommendation for a place that sells baby clothes or toys made in America? Did you see the ABC special and what did you think?
**Edited to Add**
I mean no offense. I have a house full of things I love that were made in other countries. This is more about supporting the local economy and living more ‘green’. I am not giving up my favorite clothes, linens, or any other number of favorite things because they aren’t made here and that’s okay 🙂
Stacy's Books 
I love this Sundays with Gage feature. 🙂
I appreciate (and agree with) your thoughts on purchasing American, but I have to admit I had a huge grin at Jason’s response.
Jason was hoping to win some approval 🙂
I applaud your BUY AMERICAN efforts.
Regarding US publishers …. sadly most are printed in China! (At least my daughters book was).
I love all of the books that Gage has already.
They are printed in China?! I thought buying books was an easy way to buy American!
My husband works for an international company that manufactures tires in the US and I didn’t see them on ABC’s list – did they only include American owned companies?
I will spend more money to buy American made products because I know first hand how important manufacturing jobs are to our economy, so I applaud you for your efforts. You should read the book Where am I Wearing?
I’m adding it to my reading list.
I don’t know about the ABC website. I know that viewers can submit companies so you could try that and see if they accept it.
I’ll chime in and echo Kathy on the book rec; Where Am I Wearing? is a good one.
Interesting…It is hard because we are all so busy…retailers maybe should be more conscious of buying american so we can…Pinkim from TrulySimplyPink
I think the fact that we are so busy makes it easier to miss the easy choices we have.
I read an interesting book about a family that tried not to buy anything made in China for a full year. It was interesting. I can look up the author and title if you are interested as I can’t think of it off the top of my head. They had to go to a lot of extremes. I remember she only gave Legos for birthday presents. She wasn’t so much about buying American as not buying from China.
I think I may have seen the mother interviewed somewhere because that sounds very familiar. I’ve got nothing against China, specifically, but if I can support a local business I try to,so I’m just trying to extend it a bit 🙂
I want to know which stack is Gage’s TBR pile….
He’s read them all 😉
I love Sundays with Gage. So glad to see he’s already a bookaholic. He’s not only cute but smart.
No shortage of books in this house.
My book club and I decided to do a version of this – only meeting in cafes where the baked goods were locally made and boy were they hard to find. I tried buying food from local sources and that too was hard; I would have to drive 10 different places, which would increase my carbon footprint – not what I wanted. I wish that local and, by extension, American made products were easier to procure.
Buying food locally is much more of a challenge than it should be! I agree with you that sometimes it seems that you are defeating the purpose.
To show our support for your cause, we ate out at our favorite *local* Chinese restaurant.
Wait…
Dang.
As long as your wit is American made we can still be friends.
Those pictures are so adorable! I see Gage is already on his way to becoming a book-lover 🙂
Of course!
What a fascinating post.
Here in Australia the same conversation happens but here America is blamed for infiltrating our industry. America is every where in shows, movies, games you name it it’s apparently “American”. Certainly the American accents in toys would support this theory.
But like you I thought maybe I should check and I was surprised to see the biggest “American” brand fisher price is actually stamped made in China (i don’t have many).
I think it is good to support local industry. I purchased a lovely wooden toy helicopter for my little guy at last years xmas craft fair. Every little bit helps.
Not a whole lot is made here anymore. I think our biggest export is pop culture!
In India, even we get the BIG labels, Made In India!!
Cheap labour and all that blah, blah!
BTW, Gage needs MORE books before he is one!!
*grin*
I shudder to think of how many books he’ll have by October!
Interesting question and good to be aware of where what we buy and consume comes from. I think it was in the book, The World Is Flat, where the author tracked down where his Dell was made and followed its production all the way through. It was very interesting to see all of the places and people involved across the globe. His book’s contention is that an open door for trade and communication is beneficial to all parties involved. A lot of it went over my head – I’d like to spend some time with it again to make better sense of the rationale.
Jason is the finance/business guy and he sees no problem not buying American, so on a large scale I defer to his judgement (cause is pretty smart) but it’s nice to feel like you are doing something to support your neighbor.
I love the photos. Looks like he’s got a great little library started too, even if most of them weren’t made in America.
I’ll be looking from now on!
i make more of an effort to buy locally grown fruits, veggies, jams, honey, etc than i do other products. as far as furniture and home accents, i tend to shop at auctions or tag sales and most of the stuff is older and made in america. i love everything vintage! gage is a cutie, by the way! found you through jenners.
No offense taken and I think this is a topic worth talking about. I think there are many reasons why things are not made in America anymore, and unless Americans are willing to give a little, manufacturing businesses won’t be back.
Hey, Gage was made in America, so you’re all good 🙂