Some great ideas on how to support Local Business and our friends and neighbors this Christmas

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 wrapping paper made outside our country?

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 plunking down your money on a flat-screen TV made overseas? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like their driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or rounds at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if the person you are buying for 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 hometown 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, at a shop run by the American worker?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning service for a day.

Their computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW you can find someone struggling to get their 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 theater, or some laughs at the Comedy Club?

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 letter carrier, garbage collector or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

 You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so others 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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