Christmas/Made in America

[lh150107]

So abc news has been spending a lot of time on researching and encouraging people to buy American made products. This really stuck with me from last weeks show:

"If every American spent $64 on something made in America, we could create 200,000 jobs right now.That might sound like a lot to spend until we heard that the average American spends $700 on Christmas or holiday gifts."

I really want to do this and so today I tried to find USA made Christmas cards and it was hard! I can see why spending just $67 can make such a difference. Anyone else interested in doing this? I'd love to hear what you end up getting. And remember, American made can mean a gift certificate to a local mom and pop business!

The full story and links to American made companies can be found here:http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business...for-christmas/

[stlcouponwizard]

I will repost this on the network, it is a very good idea Lauren

[Rasha]

Love this idea... Crazy realization eh? I will look around for gifts... the GC one might be the best bet. We have lots of ma and pop restaurants (and stores) here.

[Katrina]

I put this on my blog a few days ago and linked to a list of American made toys on Fat Brain Toys - I haven't heard of any of them.

[bnkkey]

I just bought over $100 in Logic Lodge cast iron skillets for my furture son in law and its American made in TN.

[KellyMarie]

I just bought over $100 in Logic Lodge cast iron skillets for my furture son in law and its American made in TN.

Karen, those are wonderful skillets! I loved my dutch oven!

[bnkkey]

I know!!LOL My furture son is one of those poor college students...LOL He only asked for a 6 and an 8 bt hes gonna be surprised when he gets not only a 6,8 but a 10 and 12!LOL Ilove my skillets and my dutch oven too...great stuff!

[KellyMarie]

I had a fryer too, I looked on amazon and didn't see it. Can you believe that even those got damaged when the house burnt? Man I had so much stuff in there!

[lh150107]

I just bought over $100 in Logic Lodge cast iron skillets for my furture son in law and its American made in TN.

That is my husband's favorite brand as well! We just bought some, and I'm glad to hear they are made in USA! Yay

[lh150107]

I love that others are excited as well, and thank you for sharing on your blogs!

In my card journey, I ended up writing to snapfish and shutterfly. Snapfish replied that their mugs are made in china, so I believe everything else is USA.
Shuterfly responded with this: Yes, you are right! The products will be created and shipped from our labs in USA.
And I did ask if the products they printed on are made in america. So from that response, I'm assuming they are.

[KellyMarie]

Thanks for that info Lauren!

[lh150107]

People buying american made are creating jobs! Yay

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business...erica-were-in/

[KellyMarie]

Wonderful news! Thanks for posting that Lauren!

[ChatWithVera]

Great ideas. I agree, but I'm not so good at putting it in practice. I do keep as much business in the local small-town community I live in as possible - though I have ordered some online from major corps. this year.

[lh150107]

Great ideas. I agree, but I'm not so good at putting it in practice. I do keep as much business in the local small-town community I live in as possible - though I have ordered some online from major corps. this year.

That's okay! It's totally not possible to do everything, which is why just doing the $67 out of $700 is so important. So if everyone tried to do a little, it would add up to something big! And if you can't buy American, I think the next best thing is buying local (if not equal to). It keeps those places running, which keeps those jobs here. If you think about it, buying a service (lawn care, haircuts) from a local place is just as good (IMO).

I was so excited to find that the wool socks I wanted to get my husband are made in America, so I am on a roll.

[lh150107]

Oooh I was looking at dog toys and Kong products are made in america! Woo-hooo! Will be getting those tomorrow (my hubby likes to include the dogs for xmas. I just like to give them a treat, they don't know any better. Oh well haha)

[KellyMarie]

Lauren, you are finding great Made in America things! Please keep posting!

Last night there was a Sears commercial and they had a Craftsman wrench set that hubby really liked, I looked at him and said "And they are made in America!" Those maybe going under the tree PLUS~Sears doe so much for our troops and their families, so it's a win win buying from them!

[lh150107]

Thanks, Kelly! That is awesome - you are totally right! Craftsman is the ultimate because its an amazing product (lifetime guarantee), made in america, AND sold by a company that supports the military. I was at Walgreens and Hallmark today and was surprised to find a lot of cards made in America, so that was exciting.

My favorite made in usa product (so far) are Tervis Tumblers. They are also guaranteed for life and just flat out work. A product that does exactly what it says its going to. Weird! haha

[KellyMarie]

They have a 15% off code right now!

[lh150107]

ooo thanks!

[KellyMarie]

Lauren, I may buy some of these, I have never used them. So they really work as well as advertised?

[lh150107]

Lauren, I may buy some of these, I have never used them. So they really work as well as advertised?

Tervis Tumblers? Oh yeah, they are AWESOME! I worked at Bed bath and Beyond and heard all about them and thought "okay, whatever." Then I bought one and I fell in love. They are so durable and work just like they say. I believe they also have a lifetime guarantee, but I haven't had a problem yet. I use ours for cold drinks and I don't need to put as much ice in them as I would with another glass. And the biggest test is in the summer. I can leave one in my car while I shop and when I come back the ice won't be completely melted (I use the really big ones, but I don't think it would matter). Plus no condensation at all. I know the price can seem high, but we use ours so much they are worth it. I buy them for shower gifts and people love em. Great product I would recommend to anyone

[KellyMarie]

Hubby works in the woods on the gas lines and the summers get horrible here, he is sometimes out there over 12 hours...I am going to buy a few of these for him to keep in his trackhoe

[Jeanne]

this site may help find some made in the USA.
http://www.unionlabel.com/