As America’s 250th birthday approaches this summer, her enthusiastic celebrants have raised a common complaint: there’s a lack of patriotic fervor in the marketing departments of American corporations, especially compared to what many remember from the bicentennial in 1976. Just scour eBay for bicentennial merch, and you’ll find gems ranging from adorable to amusing: a covered wagon piggy bank, an awesome hand-tooled leather satchel, a star-spangled bicycle, a set of silver coffee spoons with the seals of the 13 colonies, a bicentennial pool ball set, a commemorative ruler from the Kansas City Light & Fixture Company, and even a patriotic bridal garter, still in the original packaging from a New Hampshire wedding accessory supplier.
This time around, the officially licensed products range from bland to straight-up traitorous. The official America 250 store offers this “Irish Vibes Only” T-shirt and this “Cinco de Mayo” T-shirt, which look like they were created in a lab by a miserable lady bureaucrat who donates to the KKK via the Southern Poverty Law Center. Yes, there is an entire section celebrating the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over the French in the official America 250 store.
It doesn’t help that the corporate-coded logo emblazoned on all the official merchandise is utterly soulless. As the Daily Caller’s Gage Klipper put it, the minimalist graphic, depicting the number “250” written in a striped ribbon, fails to grasp “that America is much more than a brand.”
The logo “uses exactly what it needs to convey what it is, but eschews any superfluous feature that would tell us what it stands for,” Klipper adds.
If you’re as underwhelmed by the official merchandise as I am, this is for you: the Federalist guide to America 250 gear for a red-white-and-blue semiquincentennial summer. Where possible, we’ve given preference to unique items that are made in the USA, noting which ones are and where in the country they’re made. And of course, in addition to the items highlighted below, you should check out The Federalist’s own catalog here!
For Your Feet
The idea for this piece was born when our editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway noticed a pair of these Martin Dingman American flag loafers on a fellow airline passenger and asked the internet for more patriotic merch recommendations. Unfortunately, those are now sold out, but there are other patriotic footwear options out there.
These red-white-and-blue leather moccasins are handmade in Missouri by Gokey, a brand that’s been making high-quality footwear since 1850. A portion of each sale goes to Freedom Hunters, an organization that provides hunting trips and other outdoor excursions for veterans and military families. $250.
For women, if you don’t mind shelling out a bit, these needlepoint loafers from By Paige are hand-stitched and leather-lined. (They also come in navy). $398.
For the Cross-Stitcher
One of the suggestions offered in response to Mollie’s call for red-white-and-blue paraphernalia was this amazing cross-stitch pattern, available on Etsy. $5.
For Your Neck
This printed cotton bandana is made in the USA and designed by the New England-based History List. $19.95.
For Your Coffee
This mug is made by Arizona-based company HF Coors for All American Maker, an outfit that boasts a 100 percent American supply chain and donates 10 percent of each sale to disaster relief in the United States. Use it for drinking coffee, or drink tea at your own risk — you might get a sudden urge to dump it overboard. $25.
For Your Front Door
A patriotic wreath sash like this one, from an Indiana-based Etsy shop, deserves to ornament your front door all summer. $38.
For Your China Cabinet
In 1976, Wedgwood came out with bicentennial china featuring scenes from the American Revolution. I couldn’t find much comparable for the semiquincentennial, but the White House Historical Association does have some beautiful, hand-decorated commemorative pieces, like these plates and teacups. $150-$160.
For Your Bar
Bravo to Waterford Crystal for releasing an America 250 collection — my favorite from their catalogue is this set of stars-and-stripes-inspired rocks glasses.
These made-in-the-USA commemorative glasses from Preferred Living remind me a bit of the old Kentucky Derby juice glasses in my parents’ kitchen. Pint glasses and rocks glasses are available for individual purchase or in a set. Starting at $19.95.
To fill your rocks glasses, check out this limited-edition Kentucky bourbon, designed by Maker’s Mark in honor of America’s 250th. $28.99, available June 1.
Image CreditMaker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 250th Anniversary
For Your Mail
In honor of the semiquincentennial, the U.S. Postal Service collaborated with legendary American designer Ralph Lauren to create a set of postage stamps with 13 iconic American designs. Available June 9, you won’t want to miss these! $10.14.
For Entertaining
For all your summer barbecues, this handcrafted platter from Dixie Pottery in Canton, Georgia, is ready to serve. $115.
For the Little Ones
For little girls, this smocked dress from Lillie & Lilah is hand-embroidered with sizes ranging from 6 months to 7 years. For little boys, if you can wrangle them into one of these cute little overall outfits, more power to you — but for a more practical option, try these embroidered flag shorts. $38-52.
For All the Kids
Out May 19 from Hillsdale College’s Matthew Mehan, this beautifully illustrated American Book of Fables reimagines Aesop’s classic fables with iconic American creatures set against some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. From rhymes for little ones to longer tales for the older kids, it will delight the whole family. $39.95.
The art of Nebraska-based illustrator Greg Paprocki is the basis for this 500-piece puzzle, available at various toy stores and bookshops around the country. $17.95.
For the Older Kids
The New York Times reported in December that high school teachers are rarely assigning full-length books to their students anymore. This summer, give your kids a copy of A Patriot’s History of the United States for the history they won’t get in the classroom. For fun, throw in the first book of the new American Treasure Hunters series from Passage Press. From an Independence-Day setting to Civil War treasure, The Hunt For Confederate Gold is on-brand reading for an America 250 summer.
For Your Own Bookshelf
For this one I called in my colleague Hayden Daniel, our in-house history expert and host of Hayden’s History Hour. He recommends 1776 by David McCullough, if you haven’t read it yet, and Gordon Wood’s Empire of Liberty and The Radicalism of the American Revolution.
And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t suggest Federalist Editor-in-Chief Mollie Hemingway’s new book, Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution. It’s a biography of the most underrated originalist powerhouse on the court, Justice Sam Alito, but it’s also a roadmap for conservatives to follow Alito’s example of racking up real-world wins without compromising his constitutional principles. $32.
For the Weekend
This quilted tote would be perfect as a beach bag, farmers market tote, weekender, or grocery bag. From the shop at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, it’s handmade in the USA. $95.
For Wearing
Unlike the official America 250 logo, this tee from the U.S. Capitol visitor center has retro charm. $26.
I’m also loving this tee from the Nixon Foundation, with its navy contrast trim. $34.95.
It doesn’t get more iconic than the Ralph Lauren flag sweater, made in the USA and available in red, white, or blue. $398.
Or for a commemorative take on the original, check out this “1776” flag sweater from the shop at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, made from a cotton-cashmere blend. $149.
The American Farm Company is an Iowa-based brand founded by farm wife Rachel Granstra, and which directs some of its profits to sharing food supplies and the Gospel around the world. They have an entire America 250 collection, but their floral “1776” tee and “American Farmer” tees are a few standouts for ladies.
Also from American Farm Company: this awesome varsity jacket. $64.95.
And I simply cannot choose a favorite item from the Americana oozing out of Kiel James Patrick’s website. Based in Rhode Island, the brand is the sartorial progeny of old-school New England in all its preppy nautical glory. For men, this 100-percent cotton knit is a new take on the classic flag sweater. For women, this patchwork madras sundress is perfect for Independence Day and every other day of the summer, and this stars-and-stripes cardigan is begging for a boat ride or sunset campfire on the beach. For anyone, this sailor’s knot bracelet is a patriotic touch that can be worn all year round.
To accessorize, these chambray hats with a “USA” monogram are fun from Conviction Co., founded by Midwest mom Mari “for the truth-seeking, Bible reading, politically incorrect, modern-day ‘rebel.’” $38.
While you’re at it, throw in these socks, also from Conviction Co. $14.
Alternatively, try this USA trucker cap from Texas-based Hondo Hat Co., available for preorder with a June 10 ship date. On sale for $35. Or, for a more classic option, this navy baseball cap from Ohio-based Red White Blue Apparel is made in the USA from ripstop fabric.
For the Rifleman
This commemorative bucket of ammo from Remington contains, appropriately, 250 rounds. (Check out the full collection for other caliber options.) $203.99.
For Your Wallet
How nice would this look with a white sundress this summer? Get it monogrammed for free from Del Ray Monograms, based in Alexandria, Virginia. $185.
For the Boater
Some of the most enduring favorites from the bicentennial were items from specific brands that made patriotic editions of their own beloved products and gear. This tee from The Qualified Captain is printed in North Carolina, and it’s a fun tribute to the semiquincentennial and also to America’s boating heritage.
For Your Front Porch
What’s an America 250 merch list without an American flag? The folks at Allegiance Flag Supply sew their American flags by hand in Charleston, S.C., with materials that are 100 percent American-made, too. For the semiquincentennial, they’ve added the Bennington Flag, emblazoned with a “76” and “said to have flown in 1777 at the Battle of Bennington,” to their collection. Buy the flag complete with a set for hanging it, or join the waitlist to buy the flag alone — a new batch is released each week. While you wait, check out the “This Week in American History” project on their website. $125-225.
To match your flag, you’ll need some patriotic bunting. From family-run, Florida-based Grace Alley, this bunting is made in the USA, has embroidered stars, and comes in either 6-by-3-foot or 4-by-2-foot sizes. $21.78-$26.78.
To Annoy Your America-Last Neighbors
Kyle Wisch is a Chicago-based Gen-Zer with a startup brand whose name says it all: It’s Cool To Love America. From front yard to dorm room to boat to man cave, this double-sided flag is the perfect counter to any neighbors with an “In This House…” sign. We think Martha-Ann Alito would approve. $40.
Check out the rest of the collection, too!
For Your Pup
If you have a dog, it would look adorable in this bandana from The Deluxe Pup. If you don’t have a dog, look at this picture and ask yourself why not? $42.
For Your Home
This 8×10 art print, from Florida-based Rifle Paper Co., is made in the USA from an original gouache painting. $30.
For The Quilter (or Quilt Lover)
Etsy is full of amazing, handmade quilts inspired by the American flag. This one is handmade by Utah-based seamstress Adilade England, but there are many to choose from. Or if you have the talent to make one yourself, try a quilting pattern like this one. Various.
For a smaller quilting project, try this downloadable pattern from Collage Quilter. $20.
For the Chess Player
From the Shops at Mount Vernon, this chess set pits George Washington and his band of patriots against redcoats. $95.
For Your Hair
This adorable resin hair clip is hand-painted and inspired by Ralph Lauren’s iconic Polo Bear. $28.
For Christmas
Byers’ Choice carolers always make me think of my grandmother’s house at Christmastime, and I bet I’m not the only one. Handmade in the USA, this Lady Liberty caroler was made especially for the semiquincentennial. $99.
Elle Purnell is the assignment editor at The Federalist. She has appeared on Fox Business and Newsmax, and her work has been featured by RealClearPolitics, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Independent Women’s Forum. She received her B.A. in government with a minor in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @_ellepurnell.
