Plenty of local options for gift-givers

Here's what I want for Christmas: A better local economy and lower unemployment.

Don't laugh. It can be done if we all spend our holiday shopping dollars wisely. Keep those funds percolating through the local economy by hiring local folks.

For myself, I don't need more slippers from Guatemala, sweaters from Indonesia, diamonds from Africa, perfume from France or anything from China.

My closets already are crammed with stuff I don't need or use, so let's focus on what gifts would make my holidays happy.

I need extra time and a helping hand around the house. I want better health, more fun and a bit of beauty in my life. Teach me something new. Give me a good memory. Do for me what I've delayed doing for myself.

That's what I want under the Christmas tree.

Now here's the good news for you shoppers: Plenty of local companies sell services that people who feel the way I do would love to receive this Christmas.

Those businesses hire local people to do the work. That means the money you'll spend on me (or others like me) will stay right here in the Northern San Joaquin Valley keeping our community members employed.

Let's get specific:

Make me feel good -- Massage my shoulders, knead my feet, relieve my tension. Dozens of day spas in the region are staffed with certified massage therapists who could spoil me for an afternoon. All of them offer gift certificates.

Many guys, too, would enjoy a deep-tissue back massage or a hydrotherapy soak. We're not talking red-light-district stuff here.

Make me look good -- Can't remember the last time I had a professional facial or manicure. Always wanted to get an expert to pluck my eyebrows, but never would pay for that myself.

Are hair extensions and permanent eyeliner too much to request?

Come to think of it, my husband could use help moisturizing his skin to treat that windburn. Would he sit still for a pedicure?

Improve my health -- Membership at a local health club might get used, but a few sessions with a private physical fitness trainer could be more fun.

Get me some personal cooking advice from a nutritionist or health food specialist so I can jump-start that post-holiday diet. Am I too old to learn yoga? What are Pilates, anyway?

Teach me a skill -- My mother took her first painting class when she was 60, then went on to fill every room with her art. Perhaps piano lessons would be better for me.

Golf, horseback riding, dancing, tennis, guitar or snow-skiing lessons might be right for others. How about instruction in Texas hold'em poker?

Fix up my house -- What a treat a day's worth of maid service would be, or at least help washing my second-story windows. Have someone clean my gutters, sweep my chimney or pressure-wash my exterior walls.

Hire me a plumber to spend a few hours fixing leaky faucets, running toilets and slow-working drains. How about a carpenter, painter or electrician to do long-postponed home repairs or upgrades?

Spruce up my yard -- Landscaping crews could replace that patch of weeds with a bed of flowers so I could pick my own bouquet next spring.

Rather than buying me a lighting kit for my front yard, hire someone to install one for me. Or a goldfish pond off my back porch. Or a waterfall. Or all of the above.

Show me a good time -- Pick me up in a limousine for a day of wine tasting. Book a musician to entertain at my next dinner party. Hire a photographer to capture the moment.

Whatever service appeals to you this holiday season, making a conscientious effort to purchase it from a local business and keep each other employed could ensure a happy holiday for all.