Holiday Shopping: Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is (vanity)

<self> | 11/23/2007 | <self>

[Lexinom]

A couple hundred dollars of my own hard-earned cash have already been added to our U.S. economy as a direct result of American merchandise bought from merchants linked from this thread - and Christmas shopping is not over. Unlike dollars spent on Amercan merchants hawking Chinese goods, these dollars will go into the pockets of actual producers.

Three of the things I bought were steel tavern puzzles - the kinds where you have to get the ring or other object off from the rest of the contraption. Fascinating gifts these make, for almost all ages.

Let's see if we can't cumulatively make a tiny blip on the American economy... and enjoy some wonderfully crated products from right here at home! ;-)

[annie laurie]

Ping to self

[Just A Nobody]

For all those that loved Duncan Hunter's comment tonight --
BUY AMERICAN THIS CHRISTMAS!

There are some great suggestions and links on Lexinom's thread.

[Just A Nobody]

Missed a couple of you. I'm way behind tonight.

For all those that loved Duncan Hunter's comment tonight --
BUY AMERICAN THIS CHRISTMAS!

There are some great suggestions and links on Lexinom's thread.

[lesser_satan]

I'll be sure to check that out.

Here's are a few from me (more for big kids than Yoots):

St. Croix Fishing Rods. I have one and bought my dad one for Christmas last year. They have a cheap foreign-made line, but most of their stuff is American made and top-notch.

Speaking of my parents, they both work for Red Wing Shoe Company (I used to work there myself), and they have some great American made products (once again, some of their cheaper lines are made overseas, but their best lines are made here in MN!).

Shop-vac: I bought a small one for cleaning my boat last year, and to my delight it was made in the USA. A shop-vac is a great gift for anybody who makes a mess on a regular basis.

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks! I have a grandson that may like a fishing rod and a S-i-L that needs Red Wings. Being a maker of many messes the shop vac sounds perfect! ;*)

[Domandred]

Tag for later reference

[bert]

Buying American is isolationist and counter productive. Placing an inordinate value on islation is detrimental to the country.

Millions of jobs in tens of thousands of different positions that span the spectrum from sales to administration to production to transport and communication aare at stake. America lives and thrives on trade.

To call for buy America is to call for the end of America.

[Lexinom]

Millions of jobs could be lost if people bought only Chinese as well. What it boils down to is voting with the pocketbook: Which companies do you want to support - those contributing to the trade deficit/weak dollar by importing, or those contributing to American manufacturing? Either way, sales, administration, and transport benefit — the main difference is, buying American manufacturing/production also benefits.

[bert]

You are needlessly worrying about a problem that is of little significance.

The weak $$$is a good thing. The trade deficit is not a problem.

[gathersnomoss]

“Flashback to the 70s....

No, not the Ford Pinto....

[sierrascrapper]

I did some shopping at a GREAT website the other day. They carry "junior" styles for women. No I'm not a "junior" but I like to wear some of the styles. Either way, I loved this website because the prices were reasonable and the styles were CUTE! Here's the link: Body Central HAPPY SHOPPING! Oh and if you go to Made In USA you can look at all the manufacturers of all kinds of products. Some of the companies are hard to find as far as websites, but if you see a brand online, you can check to see if it's on that list and make your choice from there. It's not easy shopping only American, but I am making an effort. There are still a few things that are impossible to buy that are made here, but otherwise, I'm doing what I can to make a difference.

[Clemenza]

Its very easy NOT to buy Chinese, unless you are buying toys. There are very few things that I buy that are made in China.

One of the good things about Whole Foods is that they label their produce and seafood with country of origin stickers. When I went to the "Super Wal Mart" near my sister's place in Tennessee, all they had was dirty water shrimp from China and Indonesia.

[goldfinch]

Bump for reference.

[yankee617]

I’m not sure what you mean by “nation of origin” database. But there is a database of american made items at www.madebyyankees.net It shows american made items and where you can buy them. The database is far from complete.

[yankee617]

Yankee candle is also made in the US and they are the best I’ve “smelled” yet! See www.madebyyankees.net for a whole database of items made in USA.

[wardaddy]

I try not to buy from folks selling Christmas gifts who don’t acknowledge Christmas....and I let them know it.

[Lexinom]

www.madebyyankees.net

Thank you!

[yankee617]

If you want a list of sites that sell only american made products or websites that are strictly resource sites go to www.madebyyankees.com It has compiled most of what is in this discussion. To be clear www.madebyyankees.com is a blog with lots of resource and educational material. It also posts information about the database which is updated on a regular basis. The www.madebyyankes.NET website is the actual database to search for products by item description. Please feel free to blog there about things you can’t find or are looking for.

[yankee617]

Ask at www.madebyyankees.com, they will find it for you.