If you’re still looking for last-minute shopping inspiration, you don’t have to look far. Alabama is home to talented artists, builders, growers and others who make distinctive items.
For proof, see Part 1 and Part 2 of the 2020 Made In Alabama Holiday Gift Guide.
But that’s not all. This state has a rich history of people and places that have made an unforgettable impression, and their contributions can make great gifts, too.
Here are a few suggestions on how to give your loved ones – or yourself! – an Alabama treasure.
A COPY OF ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’
The Pulitzer-Prize winning novel penned by Monroeville native Harper Lee is a quintessential Alabama treasure. Beloved by generations of readers, the 1960 classic about race and justice in the Depression-era Deep South spawned a movie starring Oscar winner Gregory Peck.
Special editions and author-signed copies of the book abound on rare book websites, as do newer gift versions. Pottery Barn sells a version that’s hand bound in red French calfskin leather with gold embossed stamping and the option of adding a monogram for $129.
HANK WILLIAMS ALBUMS
Butler County native Hank Williams, often called the father of contemporary country music, churned out hit after hit in the 1940s and 1950s before his untimely death at age 29.
He was a prolific songwriter and influenced scores of musicians, with hits like “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and many, many others. Find Williams’ music on CD at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, and if you’re looking for vinyl, try Amazon or eBay.
GEE’S BEND QUILT
Quilters in the rural African-American community of Gee’s Bend in Wilcox County have received international acclaim for their work that spans generations and dates back to the early 1800s. The quilts — with bold, multicolor geometric patterns — have made their mark in U.S. art history, with exhibitions around the country and their own postage stamps.
The RealReal, an authenticated luxury consignment marketplace, is selling several Gee’s Bend quilts, priced at $6,000 to $7,000, with a portion of the proceeds going to the NAACP.
BEAR BRYANT HAT
The iconic black and white fedora worn by legendary Alabama football coach Bear Bryant is recognized across the state and beyond.
St. Louis-based Levine Hat Co. sells its own version of the famous headgear. Priced at $64, the Bear Bryant Houndstooth Fedora by Levine will “make you feel like a champion no matter how you decide to wear it,” the company says.
A STAY AT THE FITZ AIRBNB
Travel back to the Jazz Age with a visit to the only museum dedicated to the memory of “Great Gatsby” author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Montgomery native Zelda, a painter, writer and dancer. The Fitzgerald Museum is located in a historic home in Montgomery’s Cloverdale neighborhood where the couple lived for a brief stint in the early 1930s.
Its upper floors have been turned into two Airbnb suites, The Zelda and The F. Scott, which rent for $81 and $71 per night, respectively. Included in the stay is a tour of the museum, which traces the tumultuous marriage of the famous literary couple.
