Looking to Buy a New American Flag?

In 2011, the United States imported $3.6 million worth of American flags, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

None of those flags ended up at Flag Lady Gifts in Wayne because they only sell American flags made in the United States.

In honor of Memorial Day, we bring you options for buying a new, American-made flag at Flag Lady, in case you want to buy a new one in observance of the holiday. (You can also dispose of your worn flags there.)

Fabric

Outdoor American flags come in two fabrics — nylon or two-ply polyester. Both wear the same, but the polyester has that more traditional, cotton-like look while the nylon appears more shiny. Flag Lady Gifts also stocks U.S. flags in cotton for a true colonial feel, but they are best suited to indoor uses or under a porch overhang, as they are not nearly as durable as nylon or polyester.

Size

Once you decide on a fabric, you should pick a size. Traditionally, the sizes run 2.5 by 4 feet for hanging off of a tree or apartment deck, for example, 3 by 5 feet, which is the most standard for a pole, and 4 by 6 feet and larger for an in-ground flag pole.

There are also specific smaller sizes for desk flags, garden flags and flags on staffs that you place in a planter, in the ground, or at a gravesite.

Header

In the house flags, you can choose a banner or grommet style for hanging. With a banner, the pole slides through a pocket sewn into the flag for easy attachment to the pole. Or you can purchase a flag with two grommets. (Flag poles sold there can accomodate both the grommet and banner styles.) Flag Lady Gifts stocks 5' and 6' poles that can fly either grommet or pole hem flags, and the owner Jan Hartman can help local customers select an in-ground flag pole for maximum effect in a yard or garden.

The 3 by 5 foot polyester flag is $50.30; nylon $44.50. For a banner style flag of either fabric, add about $5 to the price.

Historic Flags

If you are looking for historic flags, Flag Lady has more than you can count. After the American flag, the two most popular patriotic flags are the Betsy Ross and the Bennington (see in the photos.)

Betsy Ross flags are available in all of the same sizes as the American flag.

They also have, for example, the Star Spangled Banner flag, "Don't Give Up The Ship," First Navy Jack, "Join Or Die", which was originally a Benjamin Franklin political cartoon, and the Gadsden "Don't Tread on Me" design.

Flag Cases

Many families of veterans have a carefully folded U.S. flag at home that they received at the burial of a beloved servicemember, and these treasured flags can often get relegated to the top shelf of a coat closet. Another option is a beautiful triangle flag case to display the flag. These are available in oak, walnut, or cherry, and can accommodate a funeral flag or a standard 3' x 5' flag.

Prices range from $65-$99 for the most popular choices, and more ornate cases and display cases that can accommodate certificates or medals are also available. Flag Lady Gifts offers in-store engraving on two-tone brass plaques, as well.