Holiday thoughts from Mary Couch

http://crookedgulleyartquilts.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-2011-birth-of-new-tradition.html

I found this post from Mary at the above blog.  She said that I could re-post it here.  Food for thought on the holidays.  Happy Thanksgiving.

I received this as an email from a good friend, and thought, "This is the perfect post for the blog.

If you would like a copy of this article to put on your blog

or email to friends just leave a comment

and I'll make sure you get it!

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?