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, and is usually discovered to contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals.

This year will be different.

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?

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” Benjamins” on a Chinese made flat-screen television? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would instead 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. And, 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 Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people could 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.

Perhaps you’re 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. They bind heirloom quality books in which to write your family history and pass down through the generations. They create bespoke clothes and accessories of far better quality than any big box mart could sell.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Be honest with yourself, do you REALLY need to buy yet another ten thousand Chinese-produced lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, only fifty cents stays in your community. If you have that kind of money to burn, I suggest tipping the mailman, trash pickup folks or babysitter a nice BIG tip. Your local farmers, the ones who sell you fresh produce grown right here could certainly use a little holiday cheer because legislation is threatening to make backyard and small farming illegal in many communities.

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, encouraging American small business owners to keep fighting the good fight, even through a tough economy, and to follow their dreams. When we care about other Americans, and we care about our communities, then the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list

– post it to discussion groups

– throw up a post on Craig’s list in the Rants and Raves section in your city

– send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?