Souvenirs beyond the red, white and blue

By Melody Caban

Find souvenirs to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

As retailers prepare for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, gift shops have an unprecedented opportunity to showcase products that reflect our nation’s full, complex story. Moving beyond the familiar red, white and blue, retailers can curate products that reflect the nation’s rich and multifaceted history, resonating with generations of shoppers.



Experiential products

Hands-on kits offer customers engaging experiences to take home. Consider quilting kits featuring heritage patterns, cross-cultural cooking kits with fusion recipes that trace America’s immigrant story, and interactive family history kits with fillable family trees and timelines.


These experiences encourage customers to connect with their own heritage and explore the diverse tapestry of American history.



Made in America

Incorporating “Made-in-America” products allows you to showcase the exceptional craftsmanship and ingenuity of American companies and makers. You’ll want to communicate the “Made-in-America” origin of these products through eye-catching signage and product descriptions.


"Retailers can create meaningful product collections that celebrate America’s past while looking toward its future."


Consider offering items that emphasize traditional techniques, such as hand-blown glass or handcrafted ceramics. You could also try some products that feature American design with nostalgic vintage styles.


Additionally, prioritize sustainability by featuring products made with responsibly sourced American materials.



In bloom

The connection between people and place creates powerful storytelling opportunities through botanical products. Native plant growing kits that feature species historically used by indigenous peoples offer an engaging way to learn about traditional land use. Heritage seed collections showcase crops brought by different immigrant groups, telling the story of American agriculture through diverse cultural lenses. Mini-garden sets honoring regional agricultural history help customers grow living connections to the past.



Community stories

Find products that tell community-specific stories. Is your shop located near a historic site or have a connection to America’s semiquincentennial? Take inspiration and bring in items that speak to these narratives.


For retailers ready to commemorate America 250, the key is selecting products that invite conversation, reflection and personal connection to our shared history.


By combining traditional souvenir appeal with modern sensibilities, retailers can create meaningful product collections that celebrate America’s past while looking toward its future.




Melody Caban is founder of Melody CabAn Consulting, a Latina-owned consulting service that cracks an urgent problem facing museums. Learn more at www.melodycabanconsulting.com.