The Best Locally Made Gift in Each of the 50 States
Whether you're shopping for a neighbor who loves where they live or a friend who finds themselves far from their hometown, a locally made gift has value beyond the price tag.
Local gifts can bring a little much needed comfort from home, regardless of the season, and remind the recipient of some of their favorite memories of their hometown.
Travel + Leisure has you covered, and with some help from Yelp we collected some of the top picks in each state, resulting in this list of curated gifts that will not only impress the recipient, but will also support local businesses.
Related: 50 Travel Gift Ideas Less Than $50
There's pottery from South Dakota, cowboy boots from Texas, and even reindeer sausage from Alaska. Didn’t know you could ship artisan s’mores across the country? You do now. Other highlights include Tazo chocolate from Massachusetts, rye whiskey from Montana, and BBQ sauce from Virginia.
Home might be where the heart is, but it’s also where the locally-sourced artisan soaps and popcorn are.
So, go forth and find your state (or your loved ones' states) on the list, and get that shopping done, or add a new place to your food bucket list.
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Alaska
Nothing says the holidays—or local Alaskan goods—quite like reindeer sausage. Alaska's Indian Valley Meats has gift baskets as well as individual items for sale, and is considered the best local gift in the state based on Yelp's analysis.
To buy: amazon.com
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Alabama
A hand-turned pecan wood bowl, with a turquoise inlay, is the ultimate local Alabama gift, according to Yelp. This is available from Turnings by Bruce.
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Arkansas
Who doesn't love fudge? (Except white chocolate fudge. Yuck.) Arkansas' Two Dumb Dames Fudge make local goods that are clearly delicious.
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Arizona
American Made Dinnerware is Arizona's best locally made gift, according to Yelp.
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Colorado
In Colorado, the local gift to buy is Stranahan's Whiskey. Even better: Arrange a visit to the distillery for the whiskey lover in your life.
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Connecticut
Cinder + Salt offers eco-friendly and sustainable clothing and accessories, including this custom screenprinted t-shirt.
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Delaware
Lavender Fields, in Delaware, has handcrafted soaps that offer a side of relaxation with their cleanliness. Buy online.
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District of Columbia
If the election didn't fulfill your quota for politics in 2016 (or a friend or family member's), Harper Macaw has a political chocolate pack. And if you really don't want to talk politics with someone when you visit home for the holiday, consider giving them this chocolate to delay any awkward conversations in the most delicious of ways.
They also have non-political chocolate, ranging from this 52% milk chocolate blend to this 77% Amazon Rainforest bar.
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Florida
S'mores are great, and locally made latin s'mores from Exquisito Fine Chocolates in Florida are even greater.
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Georgia
These Soap Trio Gift Sets are the best local gift in Georgia, according to Yelp. They're available from Mama Bath and Body.
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Idaho
Along with soap, candles are a foolproof gift—as long as there's some thought put into it. Gifting a locally made product is one way to do that. Lit & Co candles has a range of items great for giving this season.
The Bonfire scent would be good for someone outdoorsy, and the Pacific Teakwood scent would serve Best Coast-lovers well.
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Illinois
JoyTops is a video game store in Chicago, perfect for finding gifts for game lovers.
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Indiana
Cheese is a gift that is not given nearly often enough. You can fix that by giving a gift box from Tulip Tree Creamery in Indiana. Mmmmm. Cheeeeese.
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Iowa
It's not reindeer, but it's still some great sausage, if you're into that. Graziano Brothers, in Des Moines, was named best locally made gift in Iowa, according to Yelp's rankings.
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Kansas
Schlaegel's Homegrown Popcorn is the highlighted local gift for Kansas. Popcorn can be purchased unpopped, popped, or in a gift box (which is probably also popped).
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Kentucky
Kentucky Branded has local gifts that represent this southern state's distinct attitude. This "Y'ALL" t-shirt is the perfect weekend clothing for a friendly southerner.
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Louisiana
To geaux—get it!? This gift box with is available from specialty foods and gift shop Louisiana To Geaux.
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Maine
LiveME is a lifestyle brand with clothing and accessories featuring the many amainezing activities in Maine. All products are printed in Portland.
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Maryland
Maryland's McCutcheon Apple Products has jams, jellies, and some amazing apple butter—they've even got apple butter barbecue sauce.
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Massachusetts
Even better than cheese: Chocolate. (Best of all is chocolate cheesecake, if you were wondering.) Taza Chocolate has several samplers, including Classic, Oaxacan, and Mexicano.
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Michigan
Give the gift of excellent brunching with Michigan's locally made Bloody Mary mix. Brewt's just needs some vodka.
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Minnesota
Minnesota's Oh Dier is a lifestyle brand with items for every stage of life, but Yelp highlighted them for their line of wooden toys. They're adorable and simple. Simply adorable.
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Mississippi
Pecans and candy from the Pecan House are the perfect sweet treat with a touch of Southern charm.
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Missouri
This Kansas City heart shirt from Charlie Hustle is great for anyone from the half of the city that borrows its name from the neighboring state.
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Montana
The Sudden Wisdom Rye Whiskey from Montgomery Distillery in Montana is the best locally made gift in the state, according to Yelp.
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Nebraska
A specialty cake from Beatrice Bakery is a somewhat unusual gift—but who doesn't love cake? Christmas cakes for all.
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New York
New York City may be infamous for its salsa, but Heatonist, in Brooklyn, is making a name for itself with hot sauce. The Best of New York City Hot Sauce Pack is the gift to buy.
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North Carolina
The Great Wagon Road Distilling Co. makes a specialized Irish moonshine called Drumlish Poitín; poitín is gaelic for “small pot.” The barley-based unaged whisky, at $30, is a good value and an gorgeous gift.
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North Dakota
A print by a North Dakota landscape photographer, from the State Historical Society. The museum itself is free, so you can learn about the state and peruse the gift shop that's full of great items.
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Ohio
A historic beer stein from Rookwood Pottery is the best locally made gift in Ohio, according to Yelp.
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Oregon
Oregon's Missionary Chocolates, in Portland, has Vegan chocolates great for stocking stuffers.