Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog

I found this on the internet and edited it . Sorry that I can’t give the author proper credit.

Christmas  2011 — Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant  overseas factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with  monstrous piles of 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. Everyone — yes ( almost) EVERYONE gets  their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair  salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who  are thinking about some health improvement. (Editors Note MBSC Gift Certs are available)

Who wouldn’t appreciate  getting their car detailed? Small, locally 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 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 a 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 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.

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?

This entry was posted on November 11, 2011 at 4:26 am and is filed under Random Thoughts, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.