Posted by: Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
Training Coordinator
For those of you dreading the gift giving season because you lack the financial resources with which to buy presents; it’s time to get creative. Think about what you could do for those individuals for whom you would normally buy a present.
For example, rather than buying your significant other a new tool or something for his car, how about instead if you give him a certificate for one uninterrupted afternoon of football (or whatever his favorite sport is) or a weekend of fishing with no guilt attached? And for her, instead of wracking your brain and trying to figure out the correct size, the right style and the perfect color, give her a certificate for one weekend out of the kitchen. No cooking and no cleaning up after you’ve cooked.
These are just some ideas to get you thinking. You know the special people in your life better than anyone else. You should be able to come up with something they’ll really appreciate that will cost you nothing more than your time and effort.
Now for those of you with the financial resources to purchase gifts, I have a challenge. Buy American made products only and buy them from locally owned stores whenever possible.
I recently received an email from a friend of mine and while I will no doubt forward it on to many others I felt that this blog would be an appropriate location for the topic. I don’t know from where this email originated, however; I must say it makes sense to me. Give it a read and see if it doesn’t speak to you.
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
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. 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 plonking down the Benjamins 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?
Training Coordinator
For those of you dreading the gift giving season because you lack the financial resources with which to buy presents; it’s time to get creative. Think about what you could do for those individuals for whom you would normally buy a present.
For example, rather than buying your significant other a new tool or something for his car, how about instead if you give him a certificate for one uninterrupted afternoon of football (or whatever his favorite sport is) or a weekend of fishing with no guilt attached? And for her, instead of wracking your brain and trying to figure out the correct size, the right style and the perfect color, give her a certificate for one weekend out of the kitchen. No cooking and no cleaning up after you’ve cooked.
These are just some ideas to get you thinking. You know the special people in your life better than anyone else. You should be able to come up with something they’ll really appreciate that will cost you nothing more than your time and effort.
Now for those of you with the financial resources to purchase gifts, I have a challenge. Buy American made products only and buy them from locally owned stores whenever possible.
I recently received an email from a friend of mine and while I will no doubt forward it on to many others I felt that this blog would be an appropriate location for the topic. I don’t know from where this email originated, however; I must say it makes sense to me. Give it a read and see if it doesn’t speak to you.
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
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. 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 plonking down the Benjamins 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?
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