Ideas for the Holidays

CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE YEAR.

I don't know about you but I am tired of giving gifts for Christmas that are made out ofour country.  think about these gifts.  With the way money is tight, and things that are not needed, size don't fit, color isn't right or I have one of those think about this.

Entertainment books

They have so much to offer, they have them for your area.  $30.00check them on line this gift is for the whole year.  Check them out.  I use them every year and give them.

They have food, car care and enteraiment in your area.

Not sure what you might think about this, but I think these are wonderfulideas!!  I'm sure most of you have done some or all of these things in thepast so just think of this as additional suggestions or maybe something just alittle different this year.  Think of it as a way to show your kids orgrandkids more of the true meaning of the season.      Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gearto provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This yearwill be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concernfor 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 ashirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates fromyour local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about somehealth improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owneddetail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or abook of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down theBenjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiverwould like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or drivewayplowed 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 dozenbreakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about bigNational chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans withtheir 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 alocal cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who isstruggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spintheir own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery andbeautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave yourserver a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at yourhometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands. Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chineselights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fiftycents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leavethe mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that Chinacan build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US,encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow theirdreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, andthe benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.  THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. If would like to, forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it todiscussion 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 newsdepartments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't thatwhat Christmas is about? Blessings,