5 Thrifty Things: Gifts Made in AL Under $50

By Melissa Massello, November 26, 2012

Roll Tide, ‘Bama. From the land where Bear Bryant is a god and BBQ is sacrosanct, we scrounged up these 5 classic gifts under $50 for our first-ever Shop Local Guide to the Holidays.

Be sure to check out the rest of our 250 picks for made in USA holiday gifts under $50 on our new interactive US map, where you’ll find our favorite locally made products by state for her, him, kids, the home, the host/hostess, stocking stuffers, even some for pets!

FOR HER
Alabama Chanin Studio Style
The ultimate in Alabama couture and DIY culture, designer Natalie Chanin is on a mission to raise the South again by single-handedly creating a cottage industry around her fashion. Though the pieces in her Alabama Chanin clothing line are more of investment pieces, her design books ($25 and up) and DIY sewing kits ($57 and up) are amazingly accessible.

FOR HIM
Big Bob Gibson Backyard BBQ Basket
Southern barbecue is more religion than regional cuisine, and Big Bob Gibson comes from a three-generation family priesthood of the pit. Order a complete grill basket ($35) for the grill master in your life, including the legendary Alabama white BBQ sauce from this Decatur joint, or skip straight to the blue ribbon-winning cookbook ($15).

FOR KIDS
Alabama Dirt Shirt
Childhood is all about getting messy and playing outside, and city dwellers could learn a lot from those raising kids in wide open spaces — especially those literally making gear from good ol’ dirt itself (and 100% Southern grown organic cotton). Plus, kids will be safe from harmful dyes, chemicals or salts, because the Alabama Dirt Shirt ($17.50) is made using a completely biodegradable dyeing process!

FOR HOME
Al Stephens Pizza Cutter
Encourage him to embrace the art of scratch cooking (or passing off delivery as homemade) with this manly simitar-shaped rustic pizza cutter ($38) from Al Stephens, a St. Louis transplant now living in AL-abama. (See what we did there?) Forged by hand from recycled steel using traditional blacksmithing techniques, this is one tool he’ll be proud to wield in the kitchen when his friends come over.

FOR THE HOST
Upcycled Bear Bryant Coke Bottle Spoon Rest
Pay homage to a Crimson Tide football legend while celebrating green design with this slumped spon rest made from a vintage 1981 Coke bottle ($20, Etsy) by artist Beth Carter. Any Alabama-loving host would be psyched to get this gift in lieu of a pot luck dish or pinot.

Did we miss your favorite locally made products from Alabama? Definitely share them with us in the comments, we’d love to add them to our shopping lists!

Story & main image: Copyright 2012, Shoestring LLC.
Photos: Courtesy, various retailers.