Buy American and help our economy this holiday season!

Hey Tea party folk & Occupy individuals, you are mad I get it but stop. Why? It is the holiday season and that is motivation enough to get a better attitude, there are a lot of people in the world who have it way worse. This is a great time to make a difference for a lot of people here. How? Well start buying American? Research it instead of whining. Take the time, you have the internet somewhere no matter what you financial or job status is at the moment, seriously there are free computers in libraries which, when I last checked are still free and have a lot of resources that are helpful.

If corporate is so bad then, don’t shop there this year, and really do it. Look around your community you probably have all sorts of businesses who would love your $. Hairdressers, tailors, photographers, makeup artists, boutiques, car detailers, car washes, auto parts dealers, manicurists, massage or spa service providers, restaurants, antique dealers, tutors, bookstores (which are almost extinct) jewelers, screen printers, landscapers, window dealers, fashion designers, shoe designers, tattoo artists, painters (house and other types), assistants, baby sitters, gardeners, housekeepers, pest controllers, general contractors, and zoos in your area and the list goes on...

And they are all local and all would love your business no matter what part of America you are in, so stop bitching and killing people who open doors on Black Friday so you can spend money, to get some other country rich, just for a short rush of buying something. I think we would all like to NOT hear about a trampling death this holiday season.

Or if you don’t mind the made in “somewhere else” then go to the thrift stores, the guilt is gone and people do get rid of a lot of good stuff there you just have to look and you are usually helping out a non-profit and our economy. That, and it is fun. Oh, and if you find yourself arguing this whole thing I just typed out, then stop. Count back from 10 slowly and ask yourself why is it I have to go to, “that place” to buy a flat screen, MP3 player, socks, underwear, plates, or anything else and keep asking until you find an answer.

In the meanwhile, there is always the “you can always make something” option, it really is best gift of all but who am I kidding, even if we wanted to do something like this, most of us don’t know how. Of course if you want to make the biggest holiday gift of all do a sub for Santa program or help the troops with your holiday budget, they have families to and they really deserve it the most.

So, if you want to have that opening-up-a-big-package-under-the-tree-feeling, put the small item in a giant box (bought locally, of course). Seriously, the minute your loved one sees a giant box with their name on it they will be so happy, they will get to burn off adrenaline to open and unwrap it, and afterward you can hang out in it & watch a holiday program on TV. Seriously, when is the last time you hung out in a big cardboard box in your living room?

Happy Holidays!