Happy birthday America, sorry your merch sucks.
As the Red, White and Blue gears up to celebrate the country’s 250th bithday, shoppers have yet to spot enough patriotic products.
A quick Google search and you’ll see that companies like McDonald’s, Old Navy and more have partnered with the World Cup to drop special merch. But brands that scream America have so far stayed fairly quiet on the nation’s big day.
To be fair, McDonald’s did bring back its cult-classic Apple Pie for a limited time. But fans say if they really loved America, they would make it permanent.
Old Navy has started selling its classic Fourth of July gear, but only two tops have the “250” celebration — and they are sold out. Regardless, shoppers want more.
In a Facebook post titled, “Why are companies not celebrating the 250th anniversary,” shoppers revealed that while there are some items — there’s just not enough.
The Facebook group has garnered over 660 comments — and counting — with the poster writing, “I’m curious if anyone else has noticed a severe lack of companies celebrating the 250th. There’s a ton of support for this stupid soccer game that, I assume, happens every year, but barely a mention of a once in forever event.”
The commenter was referring to the World Cup which happens every four years.
Many of America’s most loyal reminisced about the 200th celebration that happened back in 1976.
Also known as the Bicentennial, America was reeling from a few major events. The Vietnam War had ended in 1975 and the Watergate scandal just a few years before that.
However, despite the challenges in America and abroad, some folks look back with a “Wonder Years” feeling.
“I was 13 in 1976 and I remember everything had USA or 1776-1976 on it. I remember buying looseleaf notebook paper for school with a 1776-1976 and the Liberty Bell watermark and alternating red and blue lines on the paper. There were many more items. It was impossible to escape the hype,” a Facebook user wrote.
Another chimed in, “Oddly I remember in 1976 we had wall to wall coverage of the 200th seriously folks this is a big deal,” they said.
While shoppers look for brands commemorating the stars and stripes, Coca-Cola told The Post that they have created “A250 packaging” with specific emblems for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Shoppers can find them on mini-cans of Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero.
The all American brand also added an specific image that celebrates something unique to that state/district/territory. For example, Indiana’s symbol is a race car to honor the Indianapolis 500.
But, not all shoppers were thrilled as many couldn’t get their hands on the soda.
“And I thought for some time that Coke had can designs for each of the states in the union. I didn’t see them that long on store shelves where I live. Maybe they’re still available in larger cities, but I haven’t seen them in over a month and a half, which was about the same time when I saw the FIFA designs being rolled out,” another Facebook user revealed.
Despite what big brands are doing, shoppers just aren’t feeling it on a massive scale.
American (not) made
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Tons of Americana classics have dropped their take on the 250 merch — but with a major hangup.
Disney released a colossal collab with items ranging from t-shirts to Minnie Mouse Americana ears but guess where much of the merch is made — doom and gloom incoming — China.
A very unhappy patriot snapped a pic of a red, white and blue shirt where Mickey said happy birthday to America with the famous mouse sporting the popular kickback pose with a Made in China tag.
“HEY ALL YOU ‘PATRIOTS’ OUT THERE…..AMERICA 250….BROUGHT TO YOU BY…CHINA ….Zoom in on the tag,” Facebook user raged in all caps.
Another Facebook user seemingly screamed, “WARNING-BUYERS BEWARE! AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY & SCAMMERS! This year’s celebration has brought out even more con-artists than usual FOR BOTH PATRIOTIC & NON-PATRIOTIC ITEMS.”
“ETSY, AMAZON, WALMART and other reputable stores that allow outside parties to sell on their platform are being used by people claiming to be located and/or shipping from inside the US, but IN REALITY these products are being SOLD AND SHIPPED FROM OUTSIDE THE US & THE PRODUCT/QUALITY DOES NOT MATCH THE AD AT ALL OR YOU DON’T EVEN RECEIVE IT,” they added.
Amazon has a third party vender with an online storefront called Lazychild whose business name is under Shenzhen Caixi Technology Co., LTD. The address is also consistent with a location in Shenzhen, China -— Futian District.
The seller is pumping out $27 America 250 gear.
An Amazon spokesperson told The Post, “We offer an official America250 storefront, and all branded America250 products are official merchandise in accordance with the America250 organization. The storefront complies with guidance provided by America250 on the America250 website and features products from U.S. sellers when available.”
“Beyond the official storefront, we also offer products from third-party sellers in our store that are not branded America250 products. We require all products offered by third-party sellers in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies and employ a comprehensive set of proactive controls to maintain a safe and compliant store,” the e-commerce behemoth said.
Walmart told The Post, “Our focus is on providing customers with a broad assortment and the flexibility to choose how they commemorate any occasion. As with many categories across our business, products are sourced from a variety of suppliers.”
The Real Deal
Those looking to purchase real, American made items on the country’s birthday, we have you covered.
The official place to celebrate in style is America250’s website.
America250’s online store is operated by Fabritech, a Michigan-based, family-owned company that works with more than 80 US manufacturers and vendors to “support American jobs, craftsmanship, and communities that make 100% American made products.”
From pins to hats to shirts, the online store has merch at pretty reasonable prices.
The best-selling America250 Official Men’s T-Shirt is priced at $32.99 and comes in either black, white or blue.
For those looking to spruce up their bags, America250 Round Button’s are going for $4.99.
While L.L. Bean does not yet have any America 250-specific item, real boat-and-toters know that every product is already made in the USA.
Shoppers can celebrate summer and the land of the free with a tote, a cute swimsuit and more.
Cheerios is going all in on the stars and stripes with a birthday cake-flavored cereal in a red, white and blue box complete with sprinkles.
Mountain Dew, who’s parent company is Pepsi, has renamed the drink American Dew, featuring American flag-themed labels and packaging.
As Fox News Digital previously reported, Steak ‘n Shake dropped a $2.50 Statue of Liberty milkshake in March. The shake features vanilla ice cream “blended with birthday cake, finished with whipped cream, patriotic sprinkles and an iconic dark chocolate Statue of Liberty,” according to the company’s website.
