My transition from cluttered to simple living.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Worth forwarding... (and Dad... I love you.)


As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Canadian labor. This
year will be different. This year Canadians will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Canadians. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Canadians 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 Canadian hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Canadian 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 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
Canadian 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 Canadian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day or a pedicure, facial or a soothing massage.

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 Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, 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.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Canadian pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about
us, encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Canadians, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new Canadian  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?


BUY CANADIAN - BE  CANADIAN - The job you save might be your own

This is the best email in a loooooong time.  That's why I'm forwarding it.

3 comments:

  1. it's a great idea. I decided this year to forego all Christmas junk and just pay attention to my friends and family... looks like the whole idea is spreading.

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  2. I definitely think that we should try to cut back our holiday spending on useless junk and be more thoughtful in our gift-giving, but the reasons the author of this message states are dangerously mis-guided and narrow-minded.

    Just because we are Canadian does not mean that we should favour only Canadian-made goods or care only about other Canadians. Purchasing imported goods can often be a way of supporting the creation of jobs in developing countries that save people from a life of severe poverty. These jobs do not undermine Canadian labour. We are not a country that specializes in the mass-production of goods, and rightly so: We have too small a population to support the production of all of the things that we need and want to live comfortable lives.

    So don't worry so much about where the things you buy come from. Think instead about whether the gifts you give are really things that your loved ones will cherish. And perhaps consider dedicating some of your savings to helping people both in Canada and abroad who have little.

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  3. The best gifts in my book are handmade...or made close to home. Not everyone will agree with me but most of us have more than we want or need anyway. We cannot...as a society...continue to consume the way we do. Trucking goods to China or elsewhere...from here...for processing is no longer cost effective. The impact on the environment is also a consideration.

    I do believe that we all need to be charitable. We can..and do..in other ways.

    Your point is worthy of consideration. Charity, kindness, moderation and mindful living needs to be the mantra at Christmas and all year long.

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete