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As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking
into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of
cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been
produced at the expense of American labor. This
year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift
of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an
excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is
produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift
needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced
wrapping paper?
Everyone--yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about
gift certificates from your local American hair salon
or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are
thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small,
American owned detail shops and car washes would love to
sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of
plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen?
Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway
sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed
all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort,
what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is
about supporting your home town Americans with their
financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car,
truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American
working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE
the services local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find
some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business
up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local
crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves.
They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants
and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to
see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local
bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten
thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five
dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community.
If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman,
trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American
pockets so that China can build another glittering city.
Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging
American small businesses to keep plugging away to
follow their dreams.
And, when we care about other Americans, we care about
our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways
we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to
discussion groups--throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants
and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your
local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments.
This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that
what Christmas is about?
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing this, Diane! It's so much better to offer suggestions than just talk about the over commercialization of Christmas and this does a great job!
In our family, we are good at focusing on homemdade gifts and crafts and when we do buy ..we try to support local businesses and products or from fair share trade items to help impoverished peoples. Even that makes us feel so much better and out of the rat race!
Thanks so very much for your visit to my blog and so nice to visit yours again!!
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