Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the dollars on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway ploughed 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
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 lights, 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.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?
BUY
AMERICAN – BE AMERICAN – The job you save might be your own.
I love this.. I hope ALL Americans will do this this year and in our future. So we can maybe still have a future..
very true! I wish everyone would consider doing this! I was out small business shopping at quilt shops yesterday and you will be happy to know your patterns were everywhere!
thanks Lisa – am actually in the deep midst of making all Christmas gifts again this year…from cookies/soup mixes in jars to quilts, nakpins and placements….doll clothes too – hope to meet the self inflicted deadlines…also here in Austin Texas the handemade very talented artists are prolific with lots of shows to purchase goodies…so yes we are sewing and crafting and cooking on here and there is a very large interest in local purchases…Merry Christmas…stitch on and spread the word…Mary
Lisa, I soooooo agree with you!! When I pick up something that I am considering buying I look where it was made.I opt to buy American and I think if more of us did that we would send a mighty message to the retailers. Your suggestions to purchase services instead of “stuff” is spot on.
Great post Lisa! My family and I cut back years ago and we feel so much better for it! And even before, we have also always sought out handmade and local first. Unfortunately, the major media outlets, our government and the retailers keep the poorest of poor hooked on these Chinese goods and every year it gets worse and worse. I am not sure what has happened to the people in this country over the past 4 years but it is disheartening and sickening and will probably only get worse! What make me really sad is that is seems like to attract those local handmade sales, the merchants and vendors feel forced to give deep discounts just to get people to consider buying their goods and that really defeats the purpose. Most of the business pages I follow are having such ridiculous discounts I have to wonder why they even bother. After purchasing their supplies – and how many of those supplies are made in the US – putting in all the labor, all the packaging, all the advertising, all the many, many hours blogging, posting to the Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, Google+ and on and on and on, are they even breaking even?
A great article with great suggestions! I hope to take advantage both as a gift-giver and receiver!
EXCELLENT!!!!!
Sent from my iPad
Now if we could only get fabric made in the US again!
What a wonderful post. I feel the same way. I think if we invested in our people not products, we would all be the better for it.
I will forward this to all my friends
Happy american holiday :0)
I understand where you are coming from, and I think supporting your business and other American and small town businesses is the appropriate thing to do. But, I realize that most of what I am buying from you in cotton goods comes from Asia. Life is a balancing act…and so is world economics.
Your blog made me sad. How do we get people to believe? I’m working on it. Thank you, Lisa.
I agree with this idea. By doing so we may also be showing support for the Chinese workers who work and live in inhumane conditions to produce the electronics we can’t live without.
it is kinda sad that we have to be reminded to do something like this. It has become so easy just to click the mouse and buy online. Since moving to a smaller town we are doing as much Mom and Pop shopping that we can. I will add a link to this post from my blog and hope a few more read this and take heed.
blessings, jill
AMEN Sister!! I agree wholeheartedly w/everything you said and wish everyone could read this as a great reminder!!
Thanks!
Tanya
I agree with everything you said. We need to take care of our own and support our companies. If enough people did this, it would becomes easier and easier to find things made in this greatest country in the world! Linda
Thanks for posting this Lisa, and I will definitely forward to family and friends.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED to the American people … ??? I guess I’m old enough to remember when the holidays were about spending time with family and good friends. You got a few presents and some candy in your stocking but you didn’t expect to get dozens & dozens of gifts ! So many people seem totally driven to shop, shop, shop and spend spend spend !! Do our kids or our grandkids REALLY NEED every thing their little greedy hearts desire ?? NO, they don’t !! Far too many parents and kids today are living in the ME ME ME Mindset … what can you give ME ?? What can you BUY ME ?? Look at us, look at how much WE SPENT !! Ridiculous ! When most kids just want quality TIME and ATTENTION from their parents and grandparents !
We don’t need to cover our houses in 50,000 lights and we don’t have to have 100 presents under the tree !!
Amen Sista! I saw a bumper sticker once that said; “Unemployed yet? Keep buying foreign and you soon will be!” I was raised in Detroit and my Dad worked for Ford his whole life. I would never think of buying a foreig car. So may people think that because we are in a global economy that it doesn’t matter; but I have seen first hand how much it does matter. I am 53 years old and I have seen more than one downturn in the American auto industry that was largely due to foreign car sales soaring. Buy American! It does matter!!! Thank you Lisa for a comentary that is seldom voiced; but badly needed!! Merry Christmas and God Bless America!!!
Lisa, that was really an awsome post about buying AMERICAN. I wouldn’t have even thought of some of those things as gifts to give but I am now. Thank you for the idea.
Thank you ! I have felt like this for years. Please bring American jobs back. This is in our hands,since the government won’t help the American workers..We should support our own country. This Thanksgiving we saw the perfect example of corporate greed. Really open Thanksgiving ! This is our fault. If we don’t shop these days stores will close. Bring back family values. Wish our fabric was made in the USA. Wish I new how to post this on my Facebook page. Did forward this to everyone on my list
Kris
Just imagine if the majority of Americans could read your post and follow suit…just imagine
Blessings to you and your family!
Thank you, Lisa.
Amen! I had tried this one year with my family and they thought it too “boring”…. Now ME, on the other hand, would jump up and down extatic if I had house cleaning services for a year!!!! I could have THAT much more time to sit and stitch ya’ know?… of course… having Oprah’s chef to cook healthy meals (and do the dishes) every dang day would really be heaven! lol!
I agree with all you have said. I have forwarded this to all my family and friends. Thank you.
Hurray for you Lisa to post this!! I wish more people would feel the same way and maybe our great country – AMERICA – would find itself in less financial woes. I am going to forward to everyone I know.
Good for you Lisa to post this ! I wish people would buy American, lets keep our country Great.
This week I bought really cool hand-carved wooden spoons made by a local craftsperson. I’m giving them to my sisters with a tablerunner I made for each of them. (Two more bindings and my Christmas shopping is done!)
So very very true what you are saying, Lisa, and so sad. :>( Christmas has just become far too commercial these days. My man and I have always lived a modest life and always enjoyed the simple things in life. We spend our time and energy helping rescued lurchers find a forever home in the South of England which is far mor rewarding than spend…spend…spend all our hard earned cash on junk made in China (where else?!) At the moment I am making handmade items for our Lurcher Rescue to help pay the vets’ bills and (guess what?) people absolutely love it!! :>) So let us spread the word and show the world what awesome things we can create with our very own hands.
You can also call your lawyer and wait until the lawyer comes and then the search proceeds, your choice.
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