This is a fantastic idea. Spread it around...

I got that in an email recently and also passed it along.

Theoretically, it's a fantastic idea.

If you decide to follow that premise, though, there are a couple of things to remember. Those little, local, independent businesses are often here today, closed tomorrow. I've been burned a few times, by giving a gift certificate like that, and the recipient wasn't able to use it, because the place went under. VERY embarrassing and expensive to throw money away like that.

Also, be sure the gift you give is one the recipient would want, use and enjoy. Other than the local restaurants, there's not a thing on that list that I'd want to get as a gift. NOT everyone goes to hair salons, I'd rather go to the gynocologist!, we do our own yard work, cleaning, snow removal, oil changes, etc and can't see paying someone else for those things. I've got enough stuff--no more crafts, etc, please. Wouldn't trust my computer to a young guy just starting out.

Having shot a number of holes in your excellant suggestions--sorry about that--here are a few alternatives. Instead of buying gifts for everyone, collect your friends for a great Christmas breakfast at your home, then why not go to the local AIDS baby hospice or Ronald McDonald house with gifts for the kids or families there? Or how about making up a big box filled with gifts, holiday treats, maybe some gift certificates (to the grocery store, target, etc) for a family that's hit hard times. How about remembering the family who's mother is being treated for cancer and is too ill to make a Christmas for her husband and children? I'm really more into skipping the gifts for those who have too much already, and giving them instead to those who have a true need. Luckily, most of my family feels the same.

Azzalea,I think you misunderstood the point of this post!

First of all, I didn't write this email - it has been passed on to me and I'm just forwarding... I completely agree with the author of this message, though. Please, don't take any of the suggestions in this email literally - these are just meant to give you some ideas. You can use your own imagination - for example: I would add a gift certificate or a gift basket from your local farm or orchard; a gift certificate to your farmer's market, maybe local bakery that has been in business for 60 years, etc.

The point of this email is to remind the public that most of the big-box-store-bought gifts are made in Asia, while we often are left without jobs and therefore no money to buy gifts at all.

Especially this time of year these spam emails come flying and some have some good ideas. But keep in mind, when you forward, post or otherwise republish spam you are endorsing it in many ways. Yes the idea of this one is to give alternatives but personally I think there's better ways than promoting spammers.

That said, I've encouraged people for a long time to quit giving trinkets that nobody wants, can use or will tell you they don't like. Giving for obligation purposes is not a gift either.

Time is a great gift though. Help is a great gift. Give someone a chance to go to a movie by watching their kids for them, walk their dog for them, do a joint effort on shopping to save gas, time and frustration. Mail a letter for them or be a shoulder to cry on since this time of year usually brings out a lot of tears. There's a lot of great ideas out there.

I pretty much agree with azzalea - on the theoretical. And I have no issue with any of the suggestions assuming they're appropriate to the recipient.

Donating food to the hungry, rocking aids babies, shopping farmers markets and small local businesses, etc. are "gifts" that can be given any day of the year, however.

Where I might part with the forwarded email is in the crescendo reaching anti-China sentiment every holiday season. And even then we pick and choose, I bet'cha. Those doted on gandkids, nieces, nephews probably receive tons of electronics or Mattel, Fisher-Price, Playskool toys - all made in China.

All that glitz and glitter decking our halls and making the season merry and bright lovingly picked out at Michaels, the dollar stores, Christmas Tree Shops - all made in China. The nostalgic Dept. 56 Christmas Villages - China again.

I'm sorry so much of our stuff comes from off shore. I'm even sorrier so many USAians are unemployed or under employed. We're a much better people than to let such things happen; let alone continue to happen. But it's just a fact of life the baby Jesus in one's creche would cost exponentially more if someone in the USA was painting in the eyes with a sharp pointed sable brush. The human side of me (and I might well be the only one person who thinks this way) knows that someone across the globe isn't starving because of dotting those eyes.

Thank you for posting that, Goldeneyedaisy. It's beautiful. It gave us all alternatives to foreign-made gifts.

I think it's a great idea. And what I liked, was it offered alternative suggestions as gifts. This time of year it's always good to get ideas for giving.

I get it, Goldeneyedaisy, and glad that you sent it. I welcome the message in its entirety and the more people who read this the better off America will be spiritually and financially.
Bless you for passing it on.

I am surprised at the number of people whose eyes were opened by this spammy email!

You did not know this already about Chinese imports and the loss of American jobs?

I love the message that is sent with this email, and I appreciate that this weekend is small business weekend. We need to wake up and realize that we are killing our own economy by buying online and by being afraid to support our small, local businesses Azzalea's message becomes self-fulfilling.

LuAnn & Cynic, IT IS NOT A SPAM! Nobody is trying to sell you anything, nobody mentions one American company name; nobody is telling you what & where to buy! I just like the message it is sending. Believe it or not there are a lot of people who do not think twice about the product they are buying, they don't check where it was made and often are very surprised when you tell them. Lynn_d is right - "we need to wake up & realize that are killig our own economy". Obviously, it is easier to go to the big-box store (won't mention the name here) and buy all your gifts in one place (all made in China), than drive all over the city looking for small businesses. I'm not trying to sabotage any company, I just think there is a lot of truth in this message.

"The human side of me (and I might well be the only one person who thinks this way) knows that someone across the globe isn't starving because of dotting those eyes."

Duluthinbloomz4, I absolutely agree! Just remember that those starving people (often children) are working in terrible conditions and the actual benefits of their hard work go to the big corporations and their owners!

This is not considered spam. I think the ideas are great. It simply says "buy American" to me.

I don't consider it spam either; and I appreciate the message goldeneyedaisy! It gave me some great ideas for my mom for Christmas gifts; window cleaning and car detailing! Thanks!

Some of the replies on this post, to me, personify much of what I see as our failure, our new, "It's all about Me" philosophy. I need to buy all the gifts, all the 'stuff'.....but it has to be cheap or I can't have it. I'm making an effort to make it "all about us", and what is right for 'us', our environment, our economy, our future. If enough of us do that maybe it will make a difference.

We stopped racking our brains to try and come up with different gift ideas for our respective families about three years ago.

Now we donate to Heifer International a great organization which helps out in third world countries.

Only problem is now my SIL is bugging us to give a cow in her and brothers name!