Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
A Made in the U.S.A. Holiday
It’s gonna be a Made in the U.S.A. Christmas at the Sullivan-Bernstein residence this year. Why? Why am I making it harder and more complicated, you ask? Why am I unwilling to buy my children more plastic from China?
As you might expect, there is a system to my holiday shopping. It involves a budget, an Excel spreadsheet, a fair amount of Internet ordering and a lot of planning. Despite my best efforts to keep it simple, every year I seem to spend a little more, and it always feels like too much. What is the secret to the small and tasteful holiday? Keep reading… Historical perspective here. At one point, I tried to do all my shopping in September, thinking if I got it done in advance I wouldn’t buy last-minute, not-well-considered gifts. Turned out, I just bought more. Then I tried waiting until December. Same thing happened; bought more. I’ve tried less Internet shopping and more Internet shopping. Still, I always end up with too much. There is always a push-pull between my desire to make my children happy versus my desire to buy classic and educational gifts. I do feel, though I am not particularly religious, that sometimes we have lost the meaning of Christmas.
So, when I was ruminating about the holidays recently, I recalled what I often advise my clients; that creating arbitrary boundaries will help stem the flow of stuff from store to house. It dawned on me that having a Christmas limited to gifts made in the U.S.A. would force me to shop for the holiday carefully and consciously, and give it meaning. I do care about the environment, and everyone needs to buy a bit less. And buying American just helps the ailing economy. Great reasoning, right? Now to tell the family…
A few weeks ago, I floated the idea to my husband, who grunted, and to my kids, who moaned and shrieked. I figured my Dad gave me an out, should there be something plastic and awful that they absolutely had to have, Pop-op could could be the weak link and buy that one item.
So, as we come upon the season of giving, I urge you to shop in the same aware spirit in which you give; come up with your own ‘artificial boundaries’ this holiday season. Try an all-handmade Hanukkah, an all-food Christmas or an all-book holiday. There are SO MANY things to buy at this time of year, that it can be overwhelming, so give yourself some guidance, limits, structure… Whatever makes it work for you. And, should you follow my lead, I have created a list of some of the absolutely fantastic gift items I have found that are made in the U.S.A.
So rein it in this holiday, give it meaning- and report back
Made in the U.S.A.:
For the Kids: My son already has a gyroscope, but yours may not!
http://www.amazon.com/Tedco-Original-Gyroscope/dp/B002E864TC/ref=sr_1_113?ie=UTF8&qid=1321582371&sr=1-113
I find it somewhat ironic that Chinese Checkers are made in the U.S.A.…
http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Checkers-Made-in-USA/dp/B002VH00VY/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1321582981&sr=1-1
Fat Brain Toys http://www.fatbraintoys.com/ has a lot of good American made choices: My twins are going to love this mini-luge in the snow. http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/zipfy/zipfy_freestyle_mini_luge_red.cfm
You can find amazing stuff on Etsy,
http://www.etsy.com/
look at this outfit for Barbie: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84714880/barbie-doll-clothes-jacket-pants-hat-and?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=barbie+doll+clothes&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
For Him: Leatherman, a classic gift for Dad:
http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=39505
Brooks Brothers Luxury Dress Shirts… very nice:
http://www.brooksbrothers.com//search.process?i=1&noh=1&q=luxury+shirts&t1=Men&u1=q&u2=t1
For Her: I’ve found discovered this clothing line at Liberty House
http://www.libertyhousenyc.com/
a few years ago & I love them:
http://www.loco-lindo.com/product/new-kimono-top/
Red Envelope
http://www.redenvelope.com/default.aspx?ref=HomeNoRef had a good selection,
I like these:
http://www.redenvelope.com/ProductSearch.aspx?ref=REDorganicgglgeneric_&q=lace%20earrings&start=&spell=
For any grown-up: The L.L. Bean Boat & Tote, a classic way to schlep, still made in Maine. I call just to hear their accents.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/37037?feat=2-SR0&productId=573955
I adore my Cutco knives:
http://www.cutco.com/products/thumbnail.jsp?category=40
And don’t neglect your local farmers market and I’m sure there will be lots of great stuff at the Union Square
http://urbanspacenyc.com/18th-annual-union-square-holiday-market/
and Columbus Circle Holiday Markets!
http://urbanspacenyc.com/columbus-circle-holiday-market-2011/