[TheForge] Holidays 2011 Birth of a New Tradition

[woolley]

Excellent Dave, I will spread this around. I have been giving my wife 
handcrafted jewelry from local sources for years. Restaurant gift 
certificates are also a staple and people LOVE that gift. How about 
magazine and newspaper subscriptions added to that list.




On 11/12/2011 2:53 AM, Dave Mudge wrote:
> Holidays 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
>
> 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 plonking
> down the Benjamines 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. They make glassware, paintings,
> sculpture, wall hangings, photography and let's not forget the
> blacksmiths.
> 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 theater.
>
> 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, the Holidays are no longer about draining American pockets so
> that China can build another glittering city. The season 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 Holiday
> 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 the Holidays are all about?
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