gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods.
This year could/should be different. This year, Americans can give the
gift of genuine concern for others.
It’s time to think outside the box. Who says a gift needs to
fit in a shirt box, wrapped in paper? Everyone
gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local
hair salon or barber?
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. 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 many 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 who own their own businesses.
Local arts and crafts people spin their own wool and knit it 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. Musicians need love too, so find a venue
showcasing local bands.
Christmas is about caring about our friends, our local neighborhood 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.
2 comments:
Nice post, Jonni! Speaking out of experience, Christmas can be hard when money is tight, but there's more to the day than gifts. If gifts are the focal point of our Christmas, than it might sting a bit when when can't afford gifts. However, if gifts are not the main concern, then, 'tis the season 'cause it's gonna be a meaningful Christmas with the ones we love. Your tips on how to find cool gifts that mean more and don't break the bank are excellent.
Such wisdom. Reminds me of a Depression era story of a boy who had nothing to give his mother for her fortieth birthday. So he stayed up all night, his paper lit only by the light of the moon streaming in his bedroom window, writing a poem. The next morning, before the rest of the household were up and about, he read the poem to his mother as she stirred about in the kitchen getting breakfast. So moved by her son's gift, she stopped and they sat at the kitchen table together. The poem and the moment and the memory became her favorite gift outlasting all the other storebought things. Gifts from the heart, the mind and soul and maybe the hands, not the pocketbook, always mean more. Beautiful thoughts from a beautiful person, Jonni. Love.
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