Birth of a new Christmas Holiday Tradition

[Lisa O'Brien]

Subject: 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
their 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?

[Lisa O'Brien]

Thought I'd share - in case anyone needed ideas for gifts this Holiday season.

[XLFD]

Great ideas for gift-giving, however, I noticed there are few of the above alternatives that would apply to kids.  I wind up spending most of my Christmas funds on gifts for youngsters, be it cheap imported trinkets and toys or American-made standards.   Most of the above would be letdowns for them.

[Lisa O'Brien]

You are right it does lack for kids-  so maybe everyone here can think if ideas for local kids gifts. Here's what I got so far:

Movie gift certificates, gift certificates for bowling, ice skating. 

[Sweater Cows!]

We love the movie certs, like the rest too!

More kids gift cert ideas. With many parents on unemployment or without jobs this season instead of those toys that will end up in a heap two days after x-mas why not something kids would love and the parents would like to do for the kids but can't afford! (just ask the parents first, some of these require costumes/gear and trips to the lessons so take that into account).

Also AJ's, Chuck-e-cheese, childrens Museum, regular Museums. Lessons for Martial Arts, Dance(Ballet/Tap/Jazz/ Musical Theatre/etc..), Gymnastics, Swim lessons(at the college or high school rec. swim). Violin, Piano, voice, guitar, tennis. Foreign language, kids theatre,. prom/Homecoming dress for teens.

 

For Mom  &/or Dad there is Salsa(couples), Zumba.

 

 

[Sweater Cows!]

Also for older kids we had a great Mom/daughter salon day with facial massage and mani-pedi and haircut/style.

[Lisa O'Brien]

Great ideas.

[Sweater Cows!]

acting classes

[Sweater Cows!]

Double J ranch incl. Indoor water park, Horseback riding, dog cart/sled rides(summer/winter) Please note, some activities are only available in the busy season. We went in April last year for a night and didn't even know about all the stuff we could do. i would suggest going during Thanksgiving or x-mas to get the most of the trip, activity guide. And, check into what is happening during the time you will be there, we realized we missed a lot of the kids stuff just because we did not know it was available and was past time to happen by the time we figured it out. from JJ website for Nov. Dec.

Tubing Hill open for the season from mid-December until mid-March. Call for updates on snow conditions at any time, or visit our tubing hill page. 1.800.DOUBLE JJ "

Here is the activty(complimentary) Guide from last weekend as an EXAMPLE

New Year's Eve Featuring a Family Fun Party at the Gold Rush Waterpark & Snow Tubing Hill with an all-you-can-eat Pizza buffet. We fill up for this party, so book your overnight package now!

"

 

Great wolf Lodge Traverse city-never been there.

[XLFD]

Almost all of your suggestions have been either ones where you participate with the child or they get to expand their horizons by learning something new.  Those are perhaps the best gift you can give them.  

Some of these may make you receive the joy you get by seeing their eyes light up when they receive it, but you got to consider each child individually.  Smaller ones usually want 'stuff' unless you can somehow "unprogram" them from societal norms.

[Lisa O'Brien]

I think we should "unprogram" them from societal norms. When my children were young I was guilty of buying every stupid thing they wanted, and looking back I see it as such a waste of money. It would have been so much better to buy a couple of toys and save the rest for family outings. 

[AQUAMAN]

Very interesting and good ideas. In the end though, when it comes to youngsters under 16, I do believe the programmed idea of seeing something under the tree in a box, rather than an envelope or stocking stuffer, is preferable in the USA. It's just our tried and true tradition. However, I'm all in favor of "trying out the unprogrammed idea", as a start for change that IS BETTER for our communities. Remember, most of the kids museums/parks/petting zoos/horseback type places are closed on Xmas, and that is the day the kiddies want to feel the surprise present. A happy combination of these ideas seems appropriate to begin with to reprogram the kids, nice thread Lisa.

[Willy]

I agree with you Aquaman. Kids want presents to open on Christmas not an envelope or a promise of some activity in the future. It's like giving clothes to a kid instead of toys. Half the fun is opening the presents and anticipating what lay within.  On the other hand  most adults would like and I'm sure prefer all of the suggestions given for grownup gifts, some of which sound really good to me.