Made in America: The Gift of Main Street
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Credit: Donald and Louise Bastedo
Louise Bastedo, 67, and her husband, Donald, 70, give gifts that are intended to not only bring joy to the recipients, but boost local business too.
For years, the retired couple from Holtsville, N.Y., has bestowed gift certificates on friends and family members that they can use in the community.
“We think it’s a different type of a gift, and we get great reactions,” said Louise Bastedo. ”We like to give them a little push to walk down Main Street and maybe spend a little money elsewhere.”
The couple gives gift certificates for dog groomers, garden centers, car washes, beauty shops, spas, restaurants and more.
“They are the backbone of the community, and they are being hurt by the malls,” Louise Bastedo told ABC News. “Folks that work at these places are all struggling to make ends meet and … we’re helping out keeping someone in employment.”
Louise Bastedo believes that while American-made goods might be a little more expensive, they are worth the investment because they last longer and save American jobs.
“We’re all in this together, it’s our country,” she said. “Everybody is in this together and just one gift is not a lot to ask.”
Louise and Donald Bastedo have joined World News’ Made in America Christmas, are you in? Click here and let us know.
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Micheals has Christmas lights made in the USA!!!! Indoor out door heavy duty. 30% off,good price.
Posted by: jill alcantara | December 2, 2011, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
I saw the episode with MyPublisher.com and thought the photo books were a great idea, but after 2 days of them not honoring the promo codes, and repeated emails unanswered, endlessly sitting on hold on several occasions and their chat does not work, so there is no way to get any help from them. I am very disappointed.
Posted by: Raymond Davis | December 2, 2011, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
It would be great if stores like Target, Sears, or Jc Penny s featured a selection of made in America gift right in the front of the store
Posted by: Michael | December 3, 2011, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
Thanks ABC for bringing the Made in America issue to the fore this year. We should all do what we can to buy and gift American made products. Doing so helps support members of our country who work each day to make products that we can all use. I am blogging on Made in America products and issues each day at simply-american.net. Please visit and read up on these issues. All the best, John Briggs
Posted by: John Briggs | December 4, 2011, 2:10 am 2:10 am
Don’t forget about the dogs we American’s love so much and the fact that they are included on the list of family members we buy gifts for each Christmas. “KONG” toys are made in the USA…and are among my dog’s favorite toys. They are durable and safe…and come in sizes for dogs tiny to large.
Posted by: Deborah Rohrbaugh | December 4, 2011, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
I have become angry at the retailers who don’t carry products made in the USA., but it’s business.All people want anymore, is cheap!! I’m also angry that foreign products can carry the Made in USA label if the company feels most value was added from a process done in the US. Sometimes that process is only applying the label, but because the company feels they have such a good reputation, the brand name is the most value!!! Totally ridiculous, foreign made products are made to the company’s specification, all the specify is cheap!!!
Posted by: Larry Fuller | December 4, 2011, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
Why don’t manufacturers put “Made In America”, perhaps with the flag prominently on their packaging? It would be a big help when looking at a category of a product where there are numerous choices. I would automatically pick the American made product first, if the price was reasonable (even somewhat more than foreign made) and the quality was good.
Posted by: Diane Erickson | December 4, 2011, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
I went to the Hallmark Store yesterday to buy boxed Christmas cards. Out of a large selection,
could only find about 3 boxes made in the USA. The rest came from China. If a few of the boxes
were made in the USA, why can’t all the cards be made in the USA?
Posted by: Patricia Crane | December 4, 2011, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
Thank you ABC and Good Morning America for bringing awareness to “Made in the USA”. I have a small business in Massachusetts, BRISSONTE, and I am always looking for and buying great American made items for my shop. There are hundreds of small cottage businesses looking for retailers to buy their items and bring them to the American people. My customers love to know that many of the items I sell are Made in America. Check out Etsy. This on-line web site is filled with American designers showcasing their handmade goods.
Posted by: Colleen Perry | December 5, 2011, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Just recieved an American Girl doll, purchased for our grandaughter, and was disturbed to pay nearly $150 for an item using the America name, only to find “made in china” on the doll. This company is charging outrageous prices for a non american product which implies “American”. It is a big farce.
Posted by: David White | December 17, 2011, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm