GAINESVILLE- It's almost as if consumers have been exporting Christmas. 

The National Retail Foundation estimates Americans will spend more than 500 billion dollars this year on holiday gifts, but more than half of that is on gifts made in other countries. 

Diane Sawyer of World News Tonight has been searching for products that are made in America.

Shes asking families across the country "are you in?" for creating more American jobs this Christmas by making a real effort to buy American-made products. 

So we sent TV20's Alex de Armas to search for local products and asked viewers in Gainesville if "they're in." 

 

"When you go shopping, do you look at where the product is made?" I asked Jess Branne of Gainesville.

"Not normally, except when it's brought to my attention," Branne said.  

 "Clothing is a little tougher, but I do look," said Brenda Cox, another Gainesville resident. 

 

Checking where your purchase was made is not something many people do. 

Especially this busy time of year.

 

"Come the 20th of December, whatever is on the shelf," Branne said.

 

Back in the 1960s, ABC reports, 9 out of every 10 gifts bought were made in America, today more than half of what we buy is foreign made.

 

Mary McIntyre has owned McIntyre stain glass studio and art gallery for the past 14 years, a store that sells products made within only 30 miles from Gainesville.

 

"We have so much talent in Gainesville, its amazing," McIntyre said.

 

Economists tell 'World News' that if we all spent just 64 dollars on a gift with a 'made in America' label, like the ones in this store, we could create 200 thousand new American jobs. 

 

"You hear more and more about keeping your dollars in your local community," McIntyre said. "If you buy something at a chain store 95 percent of your money leaves town and that doesn't help any of us out." 

 

In this store you can find artwork from 30 different local artists--the farthest from Fort White. 

Artwork that'll help you have a "great American-made Christmas."

McIntyre adds that buying locally is a bargain for everyone. 

 

"Right it helps everybody," said McIntyre. "It's a win win win for everybody." 

 

 

So North Central Florida...are you in? 

 

Tune in next Wednesday... I'll tell you about another local business with local products.

 

And if you know of a local business selling American made products, let me know-- email me at adearmas@divcom.com.