[Cobrabill]

I hate talking about Christmas this early but...


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 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 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.

[wytnyt]

how bout all the chinese,,mexicans,hispanics,asians and other nationalities?
what if they want to buy from their own country,,would that be unpatriotic?
besides,,is it even possible to buy anything american made?,,and should we waste our time trying to find that needle in the haystack
your right--for once ,,,it is too early

do you know the difference of ''made in the usa'' or ''made by the usa''

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by nytwyt

how bout all the chinese,,mexicans,hispanics,asians and other nationalities?
what if they want to buy from their own country,,would that be unpatriotic?
besides,,is it even possible to buy anything american made?,,and should we waste our time trying to find that needle in the haystack
your right--as usual ,,,it is too early

do you know the difference of ''made in the usa'' or ''made by the usa''

You really are a safe distance from genius.

[Formulabruce]

Great Ideas, Cobrabill!!

[wytnyt]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

You really are a safe distance from genius.

does your mentality consist of anything other than insults?
or do you simply have an infatuation with me?
if so,,you must remove your teeth,i dont like biters

[Brian Baker]

Every year I give my wife a gift certificate to her favorite nail salon.

[wytnyt]

i usually give a gift that also consists of money
at least the money is still made in the usa

[68lemansman]

Each year around Christmas time or thanksgiving I would go pay a visit to a senior citizen home and visit the unfortunate people that have nobody to just sit back bring them some homemade cookies or treats. I may even bring them some of my homemade dinner. Just to sit back and talk about old times what it was like for them and to share stories. It don't take money for everything!!!

[Half-Inch Stud]

[holy smokes; I typed a fantastic response, posted it and some damned Electric heater thread came up. Where's my POST on Cobrabill's Christmas.!!] Here's a retype:

Is within regular U.S.A folks to hire others to do this and that sort of task, so others hers get something for doing something. Well, also that maybe one of the task hits big, that the next big thing might come out of trying to enlist efforts from others. And there is hope that the next big thing may hit, that a product come about, that everybody says' "yea that is good". Well I trust that is innate to everyone reading Post #1. Bravo CrowbarBill for Post #1. HIS

[wytnyt]

Originally Posted by 68lemansman

Each year around Christmas time or thanksgiving I would go pay a visit to a senior citizen home and visit the unfortunate people that have nobody to just sit back bring them some homemade cookies or treats. I may even bring them some of my homemade dinner. Just to sit back and talk about old times what it was like for them and to share stories. It don't take money for everything!!!

my son loves taking care of retirees but lately he said nearly every day he has had to pronounce someone dead and that has spoiled it for him

[rexus31]

Then there is Festivus for the rest of us. Anyone up for the Airing of Grievances or Feats of Strength?

[wytnyt]

Originally Posted by rexus31

Then there is Festivus for the rest of us. Anyone up for the Airing of Grievances or Feats of Strength?

sounds like a loaded reply

[HaloMedic]

CobraBill I support this Idea and will give it a try, Just so long as you dont tell my kids

[HaloMedic]

Originally Posted by 68lemansman

Each year around Christmas time or thanksgiving I would go pay a visit to a senior citizen home and visit the unfortunate people that have nobody to just sit back bring them some homemade cookies or treats. I may even bring them some of my homemade dinner. Just to sit back and talk about old times what it was like for them and to share stories. It don't take money for everything!!!

We do something similar we invite a Paramedic or FF or a Military member to our home for Thankgiving dinner we also pick one of the Local Fire Stations and bring in a home cooked thaksgiving for the shift thats on duty. been doing this for better then 20 years

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by HaloMedic

CobraBill I support this Idea and will give it a try, Just so long as you dont tell my kids

No worries.

[TempestFugit]

Great idea!

[02Hawk]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

You really are a safe distance from genius.

I need a gift certificate to clean my key board LMAO

[Andre]

Good idea, and I like it much. I would argue that there are actually a lot of American made products that are suitable for Christmas (Holiday presents).
However finding these items does require some effort, and are sometimes more expensive that the out of country made items.

Now to sidebar this discussion, I'm not exactly sure why our government has created such an uneven playing field making it difficult for US producers to compete.

For instance- In the automotive industry, cars and trucks coming from the asian market are on par with american made in both price and quality. I'm sure they can produce them at a lesser cost, so I assume that there must be some tariff conditions set in place to prevent them selling it at way below the cost of a similar US car.
However this same method of control does not extend down the line to appliances, electronics, toys, clothes etc.
If this were the case, then the consumer would not be handicapped in making their choices.

[wytnyt]

Originally Posted by 02Hawk

I need a gift certificate to clean my key board LMAO

while your fawning
can we say slurrrrp?
CooCooBull would enjoy that also

[Cobrabill]