Christmas 2011, Let's start a new tradition

I have to quote an email someone sent to me. I think it is a great idea. Of course kids and toys still go together but read this...
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition of Giving!

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 Benjamin’s 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.  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?

Anyway, I would hope many follow the Christmas giving idea.

I received a World Vision Gift Catalog in which there are choices to buy things like good seeds for better harvests in other parts of the world...or fruit trees, or farm animals...or for $50 dollars one could provide $550 worth of school supplies for a poverty area...medicines... chickens, learning how to fish, stocking fish..and more...then the last page asked for things like $50 would buy $300 worth of necessities for kids in AMERICA....$100 would buy $600 worth of schoolsupplies for U.S. 

classrooms...(I have to make another comment...just why does the Party of NO refuse to stop subsidies for oil and gas who make extreme profits, and refuse to fund education, to create jobs, to take away the gifts of tax breaks for the rich given by the Bush Administration...such action IS NOT a tax increase as those millionaire legislators cry. I only hope the people who think, vote out those selfish Reps and Bohnar...I only can hope Americans learn to sift through all the lies and fear mongering and do what is right when they vote... Merry Christmas may be a thing of the past if we do not get a handle on the greed and power mongering of that party and leaders such as the Koch Brothers, ALEC and many more.