‘Tis (almost) the season

• It is getting closer to Christmas – which I know because I’ve been seeing Christmas themed store displays since Labor Day weekend. It is a testimony to our ability to turn anything into crass commercialism, an esential American trait. To combat that mentality of excess, we’ve done something different the last 5 or 6 years. We draw names and then get 4 gifts:
       Something you want
       Something you need
       Something to wear
       Something to read
  We usually set a limit/total. This keeps it simple – and less expensive than the usual Christmas. Then each person makes a donation to their family member’s favorite charity. We’ve been able to help charities like Fisher House, Hero Rats, John Dau Foundation, Carolina for Kibera (below is Rye Barcott signing his book for me), the Fistula Foundation and Peace Players International
  If you’re like me and concerned that so much of what we purchase is made in China (and at Christmas it is wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper), try making it an All-American Christmas. Try keeping all your gifts “American Made” like:
  – EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
  – Gym membership? It’s appropriate for anyone thinking about health improvement.
  – What about getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or even book of gift certificates.
  – If your gift is to a homeowner what about having their driveway sealed?
  – Or a handmade book good for a summer of lawn mowing?
  – Or if you live somewhere with cold weather and lots of snow, driveway plowing.
  – How about games or golf lessons at the local golf course?
  – Where I live there are at least a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. If your intended isn’t the kind to frequent a fancy eatery, maybe a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.
  –  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.
  – My laptop could use a tune-up, and I KNOW you can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
  – Maybe 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.
  – How about tickets to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?
• There you have it – a starter set of ideas for an American-Made, old fashioned Christmas.