Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

****Note: These are not entirely my words. In fact, most of this little essay came my way through a friend of a friend. It has been heavily edited and appended by me. I invite you to use this version as you see fit, altering it as you wish to make the message. Together we can accomplish something to help our fellow Americans, struggling in these difficult times.****

As the Christmas 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. Let’s make this year different. This year, why don’t Americans give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. Using just a little ingenuity, you can find a gift produced by American labor. It is much easier than you might think.

Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? How about this idea: Everyone – everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? If you know which shop they use, you can visit them and purchase the gift certificate.

What about a gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. Personal trainers, massage therapists, nutritional consults, boot camps, martial arts and yoga instructors are all great gifts that help people invest in themselves and their health.

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. Don’t overlook small business mechanics - give a tune up or car inspection. 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?

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down big money 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 plenty owner-run and family owned restaurants -- almost 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. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. A great gift not often thought of – hire a window washer to wash all the windows on the house  – inside and out! Hire a painter to repaint and update the colors in the house. Hire a floor refinisher, a carpenter and or handyman for her to-do list, a pool maintenance company, someone to power wash the driveway and sidewalks and/or the house exterior, a person to revitalize the outdoor decks by cleaning and resealing. How about hiring someone to update her baseboards by installing some of the new wider ones? Or having new interior doors installed? A personal chef to prepare a special meal for a family to come together and celebrate on a meaningful occasion?

Do you have family or friends whose computer could use a tune-up  –  find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running and give his services as a gift. Perhaps you have family members who have started their own business trying to survive in this economy. Give them the gift of a web designer or graphics designer as a gift and you will have given a gift that helps two American business workers!

Okay, you are looking for something more personal. Local craftspeople spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. Some make jewelry, pottery, sew clothing, make furniture and craft beautiful wooden boxes, pens, spoons.

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 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.

If you do have a small business, commit to finding a way to hiring at least one new person this year, if only part-time. The point is to make your first money, your best money, to be spent on people, not things.

It is about keeping your money local. Do business with the small guy - okay he is a little more expensive than the Big Box guy. It is about helping those who aren't guaranteed a pay check or those having to invent their own way to survive. So, buy less Chinese stuff and when you do have to buy, buy local! Find and utilize your thrift and consignment shops. Look for your local farmer’s market, your local bank or credit union, your local dressmaker or tailor, your local mechanic, handyman, technician, trainer, painter, healer. Find those artisan bakers, jelly makers, cookie makers, tamale makers, candy makers...

Let’s make Christmas not about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Let’s make Christmas about caring about people in the US, and encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away, following their dreams. When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. Let’s make this the new American Christmas holiday 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? Let us all Occupy the Holidays!