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 of a 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?
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