Hey Ralph that was a great find. I try to follow that advice whenever I can. Here is something my father in law sent me. I have passed this on to several people who were having trouble with their Christmas shopping.
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
>
> As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
> gear to provide Americans and Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply
>produced goods --
> merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American and Canadian
>labour.
>
>
> This year will be different. This year Americans and Candians will give
>the gift of genuine
> concern for other Americans and Canadians. There is no longer an excuse
>that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by
>American and
>Canadian 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 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/Canadians-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 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/Canadian 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/Canadian pockets
>so that
> China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring
>about
> US, encouraging American and Canadian small businesses to keep plugging
>away to follow
> their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans/Canadians, we care
>about our
> communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't
imagine.
>
> THIS is the new American/Canadian 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?
