Your Holiday Gift Guide to Celebrate the Past, Present and Future
By: Kate Doak-Keszler
Tags: Civic Engagement, Gift Guide, History, Museums, Shopping

by Kate Doak-Keszler, Made By Us Social Media Manager

It’s that season.

Without doubt someone in your circle is celebrating one of the many holidays in December. In a *historical* year like 2020, you might be looking for gifts that remind us of how we’ve persevered in the past — or give hope for the future. Or, maybe you just want to help out a good cause! Made By Us has got you covered on all three fronts, with this handy gift guide we’ve compiled from the online stores of our many partners: museums, historical sites and civics education initiatives across the country that connect our past, present and future.

Whether you’re looking to support cultural organizations, or just here to browse fresh new ideas, here are our picks for gifts that support history, democracy and learning!

History — But Make It Fashion

Looking to history to help power the future? Check out merch designed by youth who are working together to build a democracy that is out of this world! This purchase supports Civics Unplugged.

Wear the change you want to see! Inspired by a pin produced for suffragists in 1900, this v-neck shirt is just as relevant today. This purchase supports the New-York Historical Society.

March with famous revolutionaries like Shirley, Ida, Elizabeth when you wear this tee. This purchase supports the National Women’s History Museum.

Brewing up History

Czech yourself with this one-gallon beer ingredient kit for Czech pilsner, designed by BIY Homebrew Supply. This purchase supports the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library.

Chill out with Black Basalt Whiskey Stones — non-porous, odorless, and tasteless, these stones won’t dilute your spirits! This purchase supports George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Historically speaking, musing and boozing go hand in hand. Now enjoy your next pint in a historic quote glass. Choose between four different quotes! This purchase supports Colonial Williamsburg.

A Taste of the Past

You may not have Thomas Jefferson’s 1,000 foot long terraced vegetable garden, but you can still enjoy fresh heritage produce! This collection of vegetables and herbs is perfect for small spaces. This purchase supports Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Make a statement with this reproduction of service ware from the 1909 suffrage rally at Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island. That tea is hot! This purchase supports the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Pottery has a long history in the Genesee Valley, New York. Now you can take home a piece of handcrafted history with one of these beautiful mugs, or take a look at the full collection. This purchase supports Genesee County Village and Museum.

At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, you can visit Julia Child’s kitchen — and grab a book of her most quotable lines on eating, drinking, love, travel and life. This purchase supports the Smithsonian.

Picture This, History Edition

March is the first in a trilogy of books illustrating John Lewis’ lifelong struggle for civil and human rights. The book tells John’s first hand account of the march in Selma, Ala., on March 7, 1965. This purchase supports the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

George Takei’s personal account of childhood in American concentration camps is told in They Called Us Enemy., describing life for the 120,000 Japanese Americans imprisoned by the U.S. government during World War II. This purchase supports the Japanese American National Museum.

They are the very foundation of U.S. democracy, defining what makes Americans, well, Americans. But how many of us truly know our founding documents? Explore pocket-sized editions of the Declaration of Independence, U.S Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This purchase supports the U.S. National Archives.

How about some history — for your walls? Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia has a gorgeous print that’s also a reproduction of a WPA-era poster. If we can’t travel right now, at least we can feel like we’re in Philadelphia. This purchase supports Carpenters’ Hall.

Women’s History, travel sized. Learn about amazing women in American history with the Women’s History Trading Cards packs. Grab one of three packs — Persistent Sisters, The Supremes or Women in Politics. This purchase supports the Kentucky Historical Society.

Origami, but make it motion. For those who like their traditions a little EXTRA. Start simple with a light or two or go full origami robot. This purchase supports the Illinois State Museum.

If 2020 has made it hard to get things together, we understand. Make it official with this corner-less puzzle, created by artist Jennifer Orkin Lewis to commemorate the 2017 Women’s March. This purchase supports the North Carolina Museum of History — and you can learn more about the fight for women’s suffrage through their exhibit, “You Have to Start a Thing.”

Bonus — It’s the Little (Sticky) Things

Show your DISSENT along with the Notorious RBG! This purchase supports the National Museum of American Jewish History.

A colorful collage composed of graphics from landmark human rights movements, this mural centers those demanding to be counted. This purchase supports the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

mu·se·um nerd / m y o o · z e e · u h m / n u r d / noun: one devoted to museums of artistic, historical, or scientific interest and single-minded in their pursuit of culture. Prove your pedigree with this sticker. This purchase supports The Historic New Orleans Collection.

“The Word on the Street” takes our common symbols and replaces the negative wording with positive affirmations. Get a little boost with this sticker collection. This purchase supports the Oakland Museum of California.

Won’t you be our neighbor and share some of Mr. Roger’s wisdom with these bumper stickers? This purchase supports the Senator John Heinz History Center.

If you want even more, check out #MuseumStoreSunday on social media. May you enjoy seeking out the perfect gift that gives back!