This Black Friday and approaching holiday season, think about shopping at home

Dear Editor,

We are approaching the holiday season and are busy with the day to day shopping tasks searching for gifts for our friends and loved ones. As chairman of the Albany Clinton County Chamber of Commerce’s new Shop at Home Campaign, I would like to ask local consumers to first consider patronizing our local merchants during this holiday season, and especially on this upcoming Black Friday shopping day and weekend.

I recently received this email regarding spending our money with local merchants, rather than spending with large, box stores and mall stores out of town.

I felt it deserved reprinting in the Clinton County News as we head into the holiday season and this new Shop At Home campaign.

Sincerely,

J.W. Collins

Albany – Clinton County Chamber of Commerce

This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other fellow 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.” Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

THINK: Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American 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, 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 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. 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 businesses 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.

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, so you are 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. How about going out to see a local church or school play .

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 light, 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 American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us right here in the United States, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

This should be the “new American Christmas tradition.”

This is a revolution of caring about our neighbor, and isn’t that what Christmas is really about?