Here come those holidays - events, decorations, parties, gift-giving, school programs, end-of-year nonprofit giving, families traveling - are you ready?

Are we ever ready?

During this busy season, the demands on our time and resources can seem daunting. However within every challenge lies an opportunity. All those events, parties and programs are a great opportunity to enjoy the community around you. Take a step back from the hustle and simply enjoy the people with whom you've done business with over the year. Or reach out with a small gift to someone with whom you'd like to do business with next year. (PS. We can help with that.)

The holidays are a great time to consider giving back by volunteering at a food bank, warming shelter or after-school program. If time is tight, consider a year-end donation.

Another opportunity that presents itself rather uniquely in small town America, is to purchase gifts and services locally. Not just at the holidays, but all year long. In towns like ours, we do business with neighbors and friends. The gifts and services we purchase support the families right next door to us, rather than in a big city far away. It might seem rather simple to shop local as a way of giving back, but it impacts the economic viability of a small community in a big way.

This year, commit to enjoy the holidays, your neighbors and the community around you.

Brand. To the Bone.

Defending the Brand

Note: This is the second of a three part series

If you don’t think branding (and its defense) is a big deal, take a look at the brand integrity efforts of some big companies. These powerhouse brands don’t generate billions in revenue by accident.

The Velcro Corporation has tackled branding with a considerable budget and a great sense of humor in this fun video from their legal team defending the name from copycat hook-and-loop manufacturers.

The company’s quest for brand justice is explained further in this informative website. The bottom line here is, this company was built on a trademarked product that others copied. While imitation can be considered a form of flattery, it can also cut into profits as customers get diverted to buying other imitation products.

Other brands that have also been copied to the point of becoming a household name are: Kleenex (tissue), Bandaid (small wound bandages), Windex (glass cleaner), and Zamboni (ice resurfacer), just to name a few.

Sometimes it seems the brand defenders can get a little overzealous, like Levi’s suing another denim company who uses little tabs on the back pockets of their jean design. Or remember the National Football League suing (and winning) a complaint against churches who used the words “Superbowl” in their party planning? They won.

Even Cheerios tried to brand the color yellow. They didn’t win.

Giving Tuesday - Make a Difference

In the spirit of holiday spending, Giving Tuesday is recognized as a global opportunity to share some seasonal cheer by supporting nonprofits on social media.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

Consider supporting one of our many local and regional nonprofits this year to help make a difference to the people and causes they serve. For more information visit GivingTuesday.org.

3rd Annual Spread the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive Distribution

Clean out those closets and donate your gently used or new winter clothing. Montana Matriarch’s 3rd Annual Spread the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive through December 1st at locations throughout Park County.

Donations of winter clothing for infants, children, youth and adults are being accepted to help spread the warmth in our community. Items for infants and children are in high demand and have run out very quickly in previous years. If you have children’s items to spare, please consider donating them this year.

Distribution of the donations will take place on December 9th from 9:30am-12:30pm at the Livingston Civic Center.

For a list of donation items needed, donation locations or for more information, visit www.montanamatriarchs.com/spreadthewarmth.