Marylee brought this to my attention yesterday and I got it in an email this morning as well. Not a bad idea. And it’s yet another rational segue from Move Your Money and the Shop Local movement.
This Christmas, how about buying services from local businesses instead of buying product?
The email I received said “don’t buy products made in China”. I don’t think China is likely to notice, but the idea of putting some money into the hands of local businesses is appealing and can have an impact. Some ideas:
- a spa day
- gym membership
- car detailing
- massage
- a home visit from a computer tech
- a house cleaning service for a day
- tickets to a local theatre, opera, concert
- locally made crafts and jewelry
- locally created artwork
- a consult with landscapers or a decorator or financial consultant
- for grandparents: how about stocks in a local company
- and of course, gift certificates to any locally owned store or service business or donations in someone’s name
Can’t hurt.
You can have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, or democracy. But you cannot have both.
Whatever Works 