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Christmas 2012 -- Birth of a New Tradition*

marine by choice

Marine By Choice #188306
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 certificate 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 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. This is also one way of putting Christ back in Christmas.

Please share this with others.*

This is a revolution of caring about each other and isn't that what Christmas is about?
 
I don't celebrate Christmas at my house, but I feel somewhat obligated to participate in stuff at work, and, of course, gifts for the grandbabies.

I buy US made fabric and make clothes for the little punks. Co-workers get locally produced wines and beers, car wash coupons, or other locally produced stuff.

On the rare occasion that the spouse and I trade Christmas or birthday gifts, its usually something made in the USA.

Its a shame I can't find a motorcycle that I like that is 'Made in the USA'.
 
Honestly, I don't mean this to sound self indulgent whatsoever but our Christmas "gifts" are not a USA made item or service but consist of donations to our fave organizations-Wounded Warriors,Salvation Army are two in particular. Otherwise we struggle to find something our grandkids actually will play with that they don't already have.
And to the OP- while I don't disagree with your effort to keep it at home but I do like mine better for personal reasons. Cheers!
 
My son apparently borrowed my hammer. I was bound and determined to buy an American made hammer. I finally found one at Sears. No other store stocked an American made hammer. Pitiful.

Harry
 
My son apparently borrowed my hammer. I was bound and determined to buy an American made hammer. I finally found one at Sears. No other store stocked an American made hammer. Pitiful.

Harry

What's also pitiful is the online catalogs that seldom indicate where a product was made. I usually look for the MADE IN USA designation and assume China if that doesn't appear. (Ever try to buy an insulated Thermos that isn't made in China?)
 
I took the original post for what it was worth. There were a lot of practical ideas there. The "American made" slant, to me, was just part of it.

We have 4 kids, 3 of them married and living in their own homes. Honestly, unless one of them has a very specific request for something they'd like, we tend to give cash gift cards so they can purchase what they need; whether it be an oil change, groceries, whatever. This way, we don't spend a bunch of time "shopping" for stuff that they may not want or even need.

As for little ones, at this point in time, we have 1 grandchild. She will get toys, and yes, I'm guessing there are some distinct possibilities that they made not be made in the U.S. But honestly, it would be my first choice to support our home factories.
 
You won't be able to buy "American-made" Twinkies any more.

I'm sure we shouldn't discuss why ... but there could be some relevance.
 
You won't be able to buy "American-made" Twinkies any more.

I'm sure we shouldn't discuss why ... but there could be some relevance.

Yes there will be (part of the assets being sold are recipes and trade-names), and no it isn't discussed here.
 
Yes there will be (part of the assets being sold are recipes and trade-names), and no it isn't discussed here.

That's a bit early, the judge in the bankruptcy case has ordered Hostess and the Union to mediation. Not sure what that will accomplish. But, yes some (maybe most) of the recipes and trade names will be sold, if the company is liquidated.
 
You mean there is an actual recipe for a Twinkie??????

My father-in-law was a plant engineer for Hostess for many years, Weeks before he became eligible for retirement they fired him and bought out his retirement at pennies on the dollar. Nothing personal, just business.
 
Great ideas Marine by Choice.

I live in Canada and will use the same for Canadian businesses.

Dollars rarely motivate my purchases (you can always earn more money if you are open-minded and motivated to do so). Many people seem happy just to make it by, I personally think life is about way more than that.

For me it's more about quality, and I look for things that have high-quality made in my country. And I like to support local businesses whenever I can, not necessarily the big chains that are owned by some conglomerate in some other country. If you can't support your brother and sister, can you support?

Thanks and Merry Christmas one and all.
 
Over the last 10 years I have found that most of my family & friends prefer gift cards. I used to think that giving gift cards meant you were to lazy to shop but have come to appreciate what a thoughtful present they are. RIDE SAFE
 
Over the last 10 years I have found that most of my family & friends prefer gift cards. I used to think that giving gift cards meant you were to lazy to shop but have come to appreciate what a thoughtful present they are. RIDE SAFE

Ah, but using a gift card means you can't impose your views of patriotism on them and they could indeed use the card to buy Chinese goods ... or, heaven forbid, German stuff.
 
Ah, but using a gift card means you can't impose your views of patriotism on them and they could indeed use the card to buy Chinese goods ... or, heaven forbid, German stuff.

True, but if the gift card was from a local business, whether it's a Chinese good, a German good, a USA good or a Canadian good, you're still supporting that local business. Still helping the local community.
 
All a gift card does is pass along the notion that you dont care enough about the person to go shopping and spend the time to select, choose, pay for, wrap, and deliver the gift..............Golly, why not just give a piece of paper notifying them that you gave money in their name to YOUR favorite charity. That would help the local economy perhaps..........God bless.......Dennis
 
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