Dear Editor:

It is holiday time, a wonderful time of the year! Asian factories have spent another year creating monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods, merchandise produced at the expense of American labor, to sell to us Americans who keep them in business.  This year, please consider giving gifts that support Americans. This year, please consider giving gifts that support our businesses in Cocke County.

Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Let us think outside the box! Nearly everyone gets a haircut. How about giving a gift certificate to your hair salon or barber? How about giving a gift of a gym membership? Maybe you could give a gift certificate to have a car detailed or a book of certificates to have the car washed. Maybe you could give a certificate for an oil change. Maybe you could give a gift of lawn mowing, garden work, driveway sealing or winter plowing. Do you need plumbing work? Maybe you would like a gift certificate to play golf.  We have many restaurants all offering gift certificates. Mom might like a gift of a cleaning service or a commitment from you to clean her house.  Does your computer need work? We have numerous local crafts people who make wonderful things to buy and give for the holidays. Maybe you could make certain crafts to give. Maybe you could make and give a cake, cookies, candy, jams and jellies. You get the idea.

We need to support our own, particularly in these tough times and in the very tough times that are ahead. We do not need to drain our pockets to support and build up Asia. We need to share our earnings with our small business owners and friends right here at home. Let us continue to prove we care about each other this holiday season and shop local, American made, if possible.

Claire Crouch