Will you be trying to “buy local” this holiday season?
A piece of commentary has been swirling around the Internet for weeks. It’s titled “Birth of a New Tradition” and urges spending local dollars.
“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 commentary begins.
I first saw it more than a month ago when a conservative friend sent it to me. It was circulating in a brief discussion on the National Conference of Editorial Writers listserv a couple of weeks ago.
“This year will be different,” this commentary continues. “This year Americans will 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?”
The piece goes on. One of my colleagues in the NCEW reports that this piece originated from the tea party folks.
While that notion might send some of you scurrying to the next blog, the question remains: Will you be trying to spend your Christmas shopping dollars on more American-made or local products this year?
What ideas would you suggest? Plenty of local idaes are out there, including such items as crafts and artwork, local foods, gift certificates to theater productions or restaurants, to name a few.
What “local products” might be on your shopping list this year? What suggestions for “buying local” would you offer to readers of this blog? How important is “buying local” or buying only American-made products given the global economy in which we now reside?
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Nov 23, 2011 at 12:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
NO shopping this year!
If I was it would be all local.
Nov 22, 2011 at 4:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
I'm trying support local businesses by giving gift certificates to various services that my friends and families can use such as: gift certificates for hair cuts (most people get their hair cut), oil changes for their vehicle, car detailing, massages, short-term gym memberships, groceries, dine-outs etc. Maybe it will help some people to have a happier holiday and they won't have a lot of extra packaging to throw out after the holidays. Just a thought.
Nov 22, 2011 at 3:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
Grays beverages.
Nov 22, 2011 at 3:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
It's official -- I am SICK AND TIRED of the BLACK FRIDAY HYPE!!!
...
(Yes, I buy locally as much as possible)
Nov 22, 2011 at 3:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Delavan has a shop featuring local artisans this weekend. It's on 2nd street near the elephant. Everything is locally made by people in Rock and Walworth counties.
Nov 22, 2011 at 3 p.m.
Suggest removal
NewEagleWings
the last I knew you could order from Sears online and pick it up at the local store and save on shipping....just a thought...
Nov 22, 2011 at 12:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Taxandspend: Most online purchases are also from foreign countries where your money is doing nothing to help the local economy or get people off unemployment aid or food stamps. But hey most people don’t care or think about it until it is their job shipped overseas! Happy holidays I will be purchasing locally however more so I will be purchasing made in the USA. Have a nice day.
Nov 22, 2011 at 10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
Buy loco something, I need a new I-pod.
Nov 22, 2011 at 9:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
Guilty here...I shop at Sears online and have things shipped to me. The stores locally are Sam's and Woodmans but for gift shopping I am an internet shopper and never just go to stores to look around.
Nov 22, 2011 at 9:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
It would be great if a good "buy American" movement would take off. If all of the college students could get together, we could make a big change. We have to do something to get our country back from China.
Nov 22, 2011 at 9:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
Farm & Fleet carries a host of American-made items that make great gift ideas. You'd be surprised. Check them out for the Made in USA label.
Nov 22, 2011 at 8:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
I try to buy some local products but they all seem to be of the food variety. Here are some favorites of some of my family members: Taste of Home Cookbooks from Reiman in Greendale, spices from Penzey's, meat from Nueske's & homemade caramel apples from Amy's Candy Kitchen in Cedarburg. And then there is always the Key Lime bundt cake from Oprah's Favorite Things list many years ago that comes from We Take the Cake in Florida. Most of these products can be purchased online & shipped direct to the recipient.
Nov 22, 2011 at 6:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
A gift certificate for a nice family portrait is a good present.
Nov 22, 2011 at 5:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
I shop locally whenever I can,but unfortunately,there are some items that the local businesses do have.
Nov 21, 2011 at 10:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
I buy locally whenever I can. Shopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond today and told the salesperosn that I would only by American made products. She indicated that she had no clue as to what products were American or foreign made. I eventually did make two purchases of American made products, but it took an hour in the store.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.