Christmas 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 plunking 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.
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.

 

American Tax Dollars - keeping Chinese youth employed since 1913

 

Like

 

 

I make pens and give them as gifts. Everyone can use a nice pen.

 

You can always buy for friends and family a BMW, made right here in the USA.

 

I have honestly been thinking of giving two Chihuahuas as a Christmas gift.

My mother has has two Chihuahas for the past 14 years. They're still alive, but technically, they belong to my little sister. Long story short, after her daughter, her marriage, and the transplant (in that order) she finally moved out of the house a month ago. And she took the dogs with her.

So now it's just my mother and Wayne all alone in a large house, with nobody and nothing else, for the first time in forever. It's eerily quiet. And I was thinking that a new pair of Chihuahua pups might liven up the house a bit.

 

That's a nice idea. When my brother and I go off to boot camp (Bro in 7 days, me in 3 months) my parents are getting a German Shepherd puppy.

 

You've been replaced by a dog.

 

Not really getting anything for anyone this year. Working Christmas so won't be going home.

 

At some point, we all get replaced by a dog.

 

Or a cat.

 

good call.

 

Some of those are great gift ideas in general, but I think it's a bit of an oversimplification.

What about the small marketing firm that sells company-branded merchandise like umbrellas and corporate trinkets? The sales staff is US domiciled but the product they sell might be made overseas. How about the lawn care idea if the owner employs non-US citizen workers?

All of those Chinese (and Korean and Japanese and German, etc) made products you buy at Best Buy and Wal-Mart help (and "mom and pop" stores) keep over 1.5 million Americans employed. The same goes for the big national restaurant and coffee chains.

 

Thanks bro.