Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Christmas 2011 ~~~

 
Hello All ~~ I hope all is well with you & yours
If you take the time to read my post today I hope you
will forgive my standing on the proverbial soap box.
As a small business owner and the wife of a small
business owner this is a near and dear subject to me
Our friends and family all own their own business
Carpenter, Electrician, Mason, Mechanic, Lawn Service,
Tree Surgeon, Heating & Cooling, Welder, Plumber,
Site Contractor .... Hairdresser, Antique Dealer,
Nursery & Garden Center, Country Shop
 the list goes on & on .......
just about everyone I know is struggling.
We are Blessed in many ways but finding
times harder than  we have ever had to face.
I received the following in an email, plus I added
a few of my own thoughts  ~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, 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 plonking 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?

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.

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom?
Mom would LOVE the services of a local
cleaning lady for a day. Or a gift certificate
to a local nursery for her Spring Flowers.
How about a few meals delivered
by a local cater.

OK, you were looking for something more personal.
Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves,
hats & gloves. 
They make jewelry, and pottery and
beautiful wooden boxes, samplers & game boards,
dolls, cards, & Santa's.
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 theater.
Books are another wonderful gift ..... plenty are
printer right here in America along with magazines
& calenders or give a  gift certificates
to a local Book Store.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Go see a local comedian and share a few laughs
with your friends.

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 the 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.
We all need to Help!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I Thank You for your Time ...
I will now throw another log
on the fire and pour my self a
glass of Sharpe Hill
Ballet of Angles made right here in CT.


Sending Blessings, Good Thoughts 
& Warm Hugs  from the Cabin ~~ Connie xox

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Preaching to the choir here.....great post!

Ann said...

I LOVE it! I made the commitment to buy as much as I can from artists on etsy. Not sure I can find everything on my lists there, but I'm going to try. I was just invited to a "31" bag party - have you heard of it? I didn't go because everything is made in China. Hopefully we can all make a difference. ~Ann

Janet - underthewillow said...

BRAVO Connie!! BRAVO!

I was just saying to Don last night think about how many Walmarts, Kmarts, Targets, etc. there are all across this entire country and think about how big each store is and how every single one has merchandise stacked from floor to ceiling ALL FROM CHINA! UGH!!

We have got to bring manufacturing back to America and in the meantime do whatever we can to patronize our mom-n-pop businesses!!

Great post!

Janet

Ginny said...

I received this in a e-mail from two friends today!! We all need to practice this!!

Earlene said...

Very well said!!!

So so true!

Cabin Fever Primitives said...

What happened to the days when all gifts were handmade. I remember Mom knitting hats, scarves, slippers for all us kids. Apples, oranges and nuts in a brown paper bag was a treat, we were thrilled, that is the best part. We need to Think before we give, Think smart, Think simple, Think less not more.
Hugs to you Connie, this is an awesome post, I totally agree.
Connie

Ladybug said...

Excellent ..Just keep those words
coming sooooo agree with you..
Handmade gifts are the best... Support our Local Friends and Family business....

Warm Blessings
Ladybug...

Rock River Stitches said...

Amen! I so agree with you!

Tammy

annie said...

Yes Mam!!! Amen!

Holly Hills Primitives said...

I have also received this e-mail and have passed it on. Let's all hope that this Christmas we Americans can make a difference to our own friends and neighbors. Great post! Dawn

Sunny Simple Life said...

This is awesome. Can I share on my blog?

Beehive Needleworks said...

Just so. Handmade, homemade, family-made, friend-made, locally grown, community...perfect.

Warm hugs,
Judy ox

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

♥♥♥♥PERFECT♥♥♥♥
A huge thank you for posting/sharing this-- from a another Self Employed small business owner...
Love it!

Have a beautiful day :)

Carmen and the Primcats said...

Could not agree more!

Carmen and the Primcats

Rabbit Hill ~ Handmades by Jenn Tavoletti said...

Hi Connie, This is great!!! As I was reading this and everyone's comments (love Judys!) I wish I could have hit the "like" button over and over again. I could not agree with you more. I hope everyone does think about what they are buying this year and buying only in good old U.S.A. Even the small things...like fruit and veggies would be so supportive to our country. Support your community, support your country. How hard is that?
Thanks for such a GREAT post.

Love and hugs ~ Jenn

Patty Sumner said...

Amen and let it begin with me. Thanks for posting. Blessings!

Lewaina@cliffsideranch said...

Great post! Thanks much! For real this has given me a bunch of thoughts for gift giving ideas!
Enjoy
Mercy

Janene said...

This is a wonderfully truthful post! You have given me many ideas on what to give to family members!

The Cinnamon Stick said...

I so wish EVERYTHING in my store was homemade...I do my best..but there are just "things" that can't be purchased here.
In order to keep a small business (which depends almost solely for our total income) I cannot find handmade artists willing to wholesale at a price needed in order for us to sell it to customers already "strapped" with the hardships of the economy. Round robin I suppose...however I keep trying!!!
XOXO, Judy

QUAINT AND PLAIN said...

PERFECTLY STATED... WITH SO MANY CRAFTSPEOPLE WORKING TO PRODUCE WONDERFUL HANDMADES TO OFFER FOR SALE WE ALL NEED TO PUT FORTH A BIT OF EFFORT TO SUPPORT THEIR WORKS... THANK YOU CONNIE FOR RINGING THE BELL AND HELPING US ALL TO STOP AND THINK BEFORE WE PLOP OUR HARD EARNED $$ DOWN ON SOME LITTLE CHINA OR IMPORTED TREASURE THAT IN FACT " WE REALLY DO NOT NEED OR WILL NOT REALLY BE APPRECIATED BY THE RECEIVER""" .. USA HANDMADES AND OUR SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS IS AFTER ALL THE PERFECT GIFT..

Redkathy said...

Received your post and a link in an email from a friend. Inspired and ready to assist!

http://asiteforwomen.com/go-local-go-america-new-american-christmas-tradition-makes-you-smile/

Have a great weekend!

Martha said...

so true-this has been my mantra for sometime now! I prefer homemade/homegrown and local to anything store bought. Some of my favorite gifts are things made by my DIL and and other family members. Wishing you well and Happy Thanksgiving in case I do not get back here-time flies by and I never seem to have time to do little extra fun things!

Aprons Gone Wild said...

What a great post, Connie. I hope your readers take it to heart and spread the word.
Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours and all good wishes for an old fashioned Christmas.
Fondly,
Joanne