Borrrrrrn in the USA

Rob is a huge Springstein fan...hence the title. lol.

This blog post is really an important one...so pay attention!

I don't know if you've been watching ABC world news with Diane Sawyer lately but they've aired several segments about products that are manufactured right here in America and how important it is that we, as Americans, support these businesses.  We are giving billions of our hard-earned dollars to China and other countries for the products that fill our homes.  ABC news surprised a family a few months ago and instructed them to empty their home of all items that weren't American-made.  You know what was left in their entire living room?  One vase and some fresh flowers.  That's it!  If you don't believe me just take a look around your own home and try to find 5 items that are made in the USA.  It's really quite shocking.

Now I know what you're thinking...how can we help it?  Big Box stores like Walmart and Target have the best prices and the easiest availability on most everyday items....I get it.  Trust me, I really do.  I don't have a lot of extra money so I'm always searching for the best price and usually the best price is on items that are made overseas.  But usually the best quality is in the American-made products.  Just something to think about!

Here's the next dilemma.  I have a child so I'm well-aware that the Christmas gifts that kids love are the Sesame Street, the Super Heroes, the Disney stuff, etc.  And it's pretty much inevitable that all of those items are manufactured in China or somewhere overseas.  Just like most of you I want my child to have those toys that she's sees on TV or in the toy catalogs and I'm 99% sure that she'll have some of them under the tree this year.  What Rob and I have done, and what I challenge you to do, too is just to try to find one or two gifts this year that are American-made.  If every American spent just $64 of their estimated $700 Christmas shopping budget on something that is American-made it would help to create something like 200,000 U.S. jobs.  (Info. taken from ABC news.com).  I don't always believe in these types of statistics but I think it's obvious that your effort would certainly make a difference in this case.  Any time that consumers choose to buy American-made products it's a win for our country in one way or another. 

You may or may not know that Rob works for a local company called Channel Craft, a manufacturer and distributor of authentic American toys, games, and puzzles.  And what could be better than a "Made in the USA" company? Well duh....they're located in Pittsburgh which makes it even more awesome!  Channel Craft was featured on the ABC world news a few months ago where they toured the factory and interviewed some employees.  You can view the segment at the Channel Craft website http://www.channelcraft.com/ 
Also on their website you can purchase some classic toys for your kids or some really cool puzzles for anyone on your shopping list!  I think it's important for kids to play with toys that aren't electronic and that spark their little imaginations.  Do you want your kids to grow up without knowing how to play jacks or jump rope?  I didn't think so.  :)

Also...please tune in to the ABC world news with Diane Sawyer this evening and every evening this week.  Channel Craft employees (including Rob!!!) will be showing Christmas purchases that they made of products that are American-made. Rob and I bought Mia a Step-2 playhouse that is American-made!   A lot of "Little Tikes" products are made in the USA, too.

Here is an article that gives some great American-made gift ideas: 
http://madeheremadewell.com/journal/10-holiday-gift-ideas-made-in-the-usa

Here's a link to the Channel Craft Facebook page.  Like them!! 
https://www.facebook.com/#!/ChannelCraft

If you have any great American-made gift ideas, please share them in the comments section!!!  I'd love to hear 'em!
Thanks for reading and Happy Holiday Shopping to all of you!  Please remember to be nice to store employees and fellow shoppers :)  A smile goes a long way!

USA! USA! USA!