Here we are again...the Christmas shopping season is upon us.  Where will you find your gifts this year...online, stores, black Friday, cyber Monday?  Or are you like me and it takes the whole month of December to complete the purchases.  I always have the best intentions when starting this humungous shopping spree...where is the perfect gift, in the right price range, that is meaningful to the intended?  

This year is different, the economy is ever-pinching us, prices are rising everywhere.  This year I am going to try to purchase products that will keep some of the money flowing back into the US economy.  I know that might be crazy-thinking, but it's thought of with the best of intentions.  

Let's see where can we go to keep money flowing within our country?  How about:  

Colorado

http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/holidays/christmas/america...

Here is a few American made products around the country and businesses from an ABC news story.  Lots of good links on this one.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/11/made-in-america-gift-i...

Local to our State:

Gift Baskets

Colorado Gift Baskets  

Colorado is renowned for healthy living and health consciousness. The creativity and quality of made-in-Colorado food, pet and body care products are wonderful.  Colorado themed gift baskets are a healthy choice for convention or meeting welcome gifts, or as a special thank you to remind the recipient of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

http://www.itsonlynaturalgifts.com/Colorado_Organic_Gift_Baskets_s/...

Books:

Mother's House Publishing

A Colorado Springs publishing company in Colorado Springs, that offers quality children's books.  Quality original stories for your children and grandchildren.  The sample book shown is 1 in a series of 12 about the animals in Black Forest Colorado.  Educational and fun stories for children.

http://www.mothershousepublishing.com

Artists:

BUSSANICH ~ KJELDSEN Art

Jana Bussanich and Chris Kjeldsen are photographic storytellers, they bring the sense of art to their photographic excursions.  Take a look and order prints of their work or create your own photographic story with them.

http://www.bussanichkjeldsenart.com

ESCHART STUDIOS

Eschart Studios is a local studio that creates and sells digital art.  These high quality giclee prints offer original art, at an inexpensive price.  Perfect christmas gift! 

http://www.artistrising.com/galleries/eschartstudios

These are just a few examples and really just the tip of the iceberg of Christmas gifts that will help keep the flow of money in our local economies.  If you know of other local and national companies, please share with us as we shop till we drop this Christmas season.