Christmas in Dixie: Our 2015 Alabama-made gift guide
By Dawn Kent Azok | dazok@al.com AL.com
Birmingham, AL
If you're in the mood for a homegrown holiday celebration, then this is for you.
From artisanal teas to luxury SUVs, we've compiled a list of Alabama-made gifts for just about any taste and budget.
So let's get shopping.
"Abounding Joy" ornament: Artist Cal Breed of Fort Payne's Orbix Hot Glass created this special edition Christmas ornament as a benefit for aTeam Ministries of Birmingham, which supports children and families dealing with pediatric cancer. The ornament (cost is $35 plus $5 shipping) comes boxed and ready to give away. Go to ateamministries.org to purchase. Breed and his team also create colorful pitchers, bowls, vases and other pieces in their studio atop Alabama's Lookout Mountain. See more at orbixhotglass.com.
Handmade spoons and scoops: These kitchen tools are made by Flannel and Floral, a Brewton business run by husband and wife Shannon and Megan Brantley. Fashioned from mahogany, maple, turquoise and other materials, no two are exactly alike. Prices range from $30 to $65. The couple's collections also include jewelry and lamps. See them all at flannelandfloral.com.
The Sonic Suitcase: Any music lovers on your list? The Sonic Suitcase might be the perfect fit. It's a portable powered speaker system, built inside a suitcase, for your smart phone, MP3 player and more. Wade Wellborn of Dr. Music Records in Fairhope started building them in 2002. Prices start at $300. Go to thesonicsuitcase.com to see more.
Piper & Leaf tea: This family run tea company in Huntsville makes a wide variety of loose leaf blends, using many local ingredients. Get into the spirit of the season and try Cherry Christmas, Caramel Apple Pie, Pumpkin Moonshine and more found at piperandleaf.com, starting at $3.99 a bag.
Veggie chopper: Hand-forged by Athens blacksmith Al Stephens, this veggie chopper is made of steel to last for generations. It retails for $34 at Alabama Goods (alabamagoods.com) in Homewood. Stephens, owner of Pequea Valley Forge, also turns bars of steel into candle holders, pizza cutters and other household items. See his collections at pequeavalleyforge.com.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe: Looking for a major splurge? Then look no further than one of the newest vehicles to roll off the assembly lines at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa County. The GLE Coupe, a coupe-style SUV, recently hit dealer showrooms and already is proving popular with buyers. Starting prices range from $66,000 for the base model to $110,000 for the high-performance, top-of-the-line version.
Denim patchwork throw: Get cozy in this creation from Alabama Chanin, the Florence-based design company and manufacturer known for its eco-friendly practices. Alabama Chanin makes other home products and clothing, for sale at alabamachanin.com. This particular piece, priced at $638, was a collaboration between the company and designer Stella Ishii of 6397.
Dreamland ribs: Ain't nothing like 'em nowhere, right? So for those loved ones living far away, a package of Dreamland ribs is a taste of home. The popular Alabama barbecue chain ships its ribs, fully cooked and frozen, all over the U.S., along with sauce, white bread and reheating instructions. A one slab package costs $32, while 10 slabs will run you $195. Find out more at dreamlandbbq.com.
Bourbon Pens: Dress up any desk with pens made from bourbon barrel oak. Joel Lockridge of Alabaster creates the pens using popular flavors of bourbon barrels like Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Maker's Mark and more. Prices start at about $40. Go to bourbonpens.com for more information.
Porsche Sport Driving School: You can't wrap it up with a bow, but the Porsche Sport Driving School is certainly an Alabama-made gift. Located at Birmingham's Barber Motorsports Park, it is the largest of the German automaker's 13 driving schools worldwide and the only one in North America. Participants get lots of driving time behind the wheel of the latest Porsche models, a fleet of cars with an average price tag of $100,000 each. Gift certificates are available for the sessions, ranging from a one-day course that costs $1,800 to a master's level three-day experience for $6,000. More information is at porschedriving.com.