Support Your Local Community This Holiday Season
I received this email from my future Mother-In-Law and I couldn't agree more. I have said it before that since moving to my new town, I am all for spending our money in town and locally. Please read on...
Birth of a New Tradition for Christmas 2011
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 should 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 or yoga club 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 the 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. Or even a local masseuse!
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. Many are available, reasonably, at your nearest State Park.
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? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand foreign-made 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 delivery person, and babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets and seeing our hard-earned wages go outside the country. 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. Remember a local charity!
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Enjoy family get-togethers, church services, caroling, as in past Christmases... but put more emphasis on the REASON FOR THE SEASON... and less on material gifts.
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.
As an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot, yes, our jewelry is made overseas. BUT, S&D is headquarted right here in the Bay Area and have created over 10,000 entrepreneurs. Stylists range from being Super Moms, single moms, have a full-time job, are commuters, PTA Presidents, hair stylists, are involved in the community and became Stylists to pay for their children to go to good schools, to get out of debt, or to hopefully not commute anymore or be able to be a stay-at-home mom (Ahem!). Like your local salon, restaurant, or auto body shop, we Independent Stylists and Independent Distributors are small businesses. And we would really appreciate your business as well. Below are some great independent business women in the East Bay that I would hope you would contact, besides myself. Look for more links soon on my LINKS page. Feel free to mention my name. They'll take care of you!
Bows by:
Sweetpea & Lovebug
Brentwood, CA
The Catwalk Boutique
Owner: Laura Dee
306 Oak Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
Holistic Bodywork with Lori Yap-Chiongco, CMT
“Balance through bodywork”
Brentwood, CA
925.813.1397
Holistic Bodywork with Sarah Dahlheim, CMT
Brentwood, CA
925.413.2707
Mary Kay with Christina Vela
Serving the Sacramento, Stockton & SF East Bay
Mary Kay with Kristina Gutilla
Serving the SF East Bay
Recycle Clothes, Toys, Books with
Peace. Love. Swap.
Contact: Angelina Kulla
Brentwood, CA
Support your local community and small businesses!
IF you would like to be listed and can return the favor with a link, please EMAIL ME
Birth of a New Tradition for Christmas 2011
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 should 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 or yoga club 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 the 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. Or even a local masseuse!
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. Many are available, reasonably, at your nearest State Park.
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? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand foreign-made 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 delivery person, and babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets and seeing our hard-earned wages go outside the country. 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. Remember a local charity!
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Enjoy family get-togethers, church services, caroling, as in past Christmases... but put more emphasis on the REASON FOR THE SEASON... and less on material gifts.
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.
As an Independent Stylist with Stella & Dot, yes, our jewelry is made overseas. BUT, S&D is headquarted right here in the Bay Area and have created over 10,000 entrepreneurs. Stylists range from being Super Moms, single moms, have a full-time job, are commuters, PTA Presidents, hair stylists, are involved in the community and became Stylists to pay for their children to go to good schools, to get out of debt, or to hopefully not commute anymore or be able to be a stay-at-home mom (Ahem!). Like your local salon, restaurant, or auto body shop, we Independent Stylists and Independent Distributors are small businesses. And we would really appreciate your business as well. Below are some great independent business women in the East Bay that I would hope you would contact, besides myself. Look for more links soon on my LINKS page. Feel free to mention my name. They'll take care of you!
Bows by:
Sweetpea & Lovebug
Brentwood, CA
The Catwalk Boutique
Owner: Laura Dee
306 Oak Street
Brentwood, CA 94513
Holistic Bodywork with Lori Yap-Chiongco, CMT
“Balance through bodywork”
Brentwood, CA
925.813.1397
Holistic Bodywork with Sarah Dahlheim, CMT
Brentwood, CA
925.413.2707
Mary Kay with Christina Vela
Serving the Sacramento, Stockton & SF East Bay
Mary Kay with Kristina Gutilla
Serving the SF East Bay
Recycle Clothes, Toys, Books with
Peace. Love. Swap.
Contact: Angelina Kulla
Brentwood, CA
Support your local community and small businesses!
IF you would like to be listed and can return the favor with a link, please EMAIL ME
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