Birth of a New Tradition

[Gangman036]

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 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 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, 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?

Peace................

[highcountry]

Good ideas, G-man!  Thx for the suggestions.

[Jess from VA]

I like this idea.   

[PAVALKER]

I also thought it a great idea and .... posted it on my FB page.

[FloridaValkRyder]

  I'm going to post it on mine as well and do some cut and pasting and email it. That's absolutely a great idea. Every nickle we can not send to the ChiComs and put back directly in our economy is good for us!! Thanks GMan

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Great idea.

[Cruzen]

All great ideas's.  Thanks for posting them and getting people to think in this direction.

[alph]

careful, anvil is going to put you into the "wally world haters" group!!   

now you're not suporting your local walmart you know, you're not american!!

[MacDragon]

All good ideas... Thinking in the right direction.   

[Chrisj CMA]

FANTASTIC !    Now, I know what Im going ot get Judy for Christmas 

[grandpaweaver]

Good stuff, Posting on facebook and copied to send out email

[The Anvil]

careful, anvil is going to put you into the "wally world haters" group!!  

now you're not suporting your local walmart you know, you're not american!!

Hey man, I said I have my problems with the place.

But there are some good ideas in there. Just try to find proprietorships that don't use illegal immigrant labor when buying those gift certificates.  

BTW, just because something is not made in the USA does not mean that it's made in China. While I'll always buy American as long as it makes sense (I ain't dropping a grand on an American made TV if it's only gonna last a year) that doesn't mean that I HAVE to buy Chinese. If given a choice between a Chinese made TV and a South Korean made TV I'll happily buy the SK made unit.

Canada? We're good.

Mexico? Kiss my ass, I'll buy Chinese first.

And you won't get me to stop buying Chinese food. Not gonna happen.

[solo1]

Very good ideas!  

[hubcapsc]

Said to a group of people who buy nothing but Asian branded vehicles, some of which happen to be assembled in America.

You can cherry pick some Asian parts if you want to, but the topic of this thread is spending
Christmas money locally...



-Mike

[eric in md]

  we all need to do this ...

[DIGGER]

GREAT IDEA......I'll do it

[Daniel Meyer]

Said to a group of people who buy nothing but Asian branded vehicles, some of which happen to be assembled in America.

Is that better or worse than buying American branded vehicles that are assembled in Mexico or China?

[Daniel Meyer]

Heck, buy books! Or Art! Some of which I can personally vouch are produced here in America!

[BF]

Or....you can do what the SO and I did last year for Christmas.  We didn't buy anything for anybody....we spent Christmas in a casino spreading Christmas cheer around the slot machines.   

Apparently we weren't alone in our decision to spend Christmas in a casino.  The place was packed. 

[Gryphon Rider]

If more of you Americans buy Mexican products, it means more Mexicans will have jobs at home, and thus will not be tempted to immigrate illegally to the USA! I'm just sayin'... 

[RainMaker]

All superb ideas. Thanks!

[The Anvil]

If more of you Americans buy Mexican products, it means more Mexicans will have jobs at home, and thus will not be tempted to immigrate illegally to the USA! I'm just sayin'... 

Can I send my bathroom to Mexico so they can clean it???

[MP]

Heck, buy books! Or Art! Some of which I can personally vouch are produced here in America!

And, I will vouch for Daniels GREAT books!  Give some for Christmas! 

MP

[czuch]

Great ideas.
I rescued some work benches from the trash. I know the company so I dont worry about the working surface. Anyway, the afore mentioned work surface is butcher block ASH. I'll sand and varnish and they will be 1'x1' cutting boards. Merry CHRISTMAS Y'all. No out-o-pocket, everything stays here.