Buy Ohio, Give Ohio : OhioDaily's Holiday Shopping Guide

Forget "Cyber Monday." More importantly, forget buying a bunch of garbage made in China and sold at Wal-Mart. The bargains we think we're getting by purchasing cheap, foreign-made goods, are really nothing more than long term investments in the decline of our national economy. Instead of buying lots of things you don't really need this winter, why not redirect your buying power to the American and Ohioan companies that produce jobs right here at home and continue investing in our economic turnaround.

For the next 25 days, OhioDaily will feature a different Ohio-made company, product, or brand that makes a great holiday gift. Today, we're proud to feature Sarva Soap.

Sarva Soap is an independent, Cleveland-based, woman-owned company created by an artisan with a passion for soapmaking and holistic living. Every bar of Sarva soap is handcrafted in true artisanal fashion, a process which takes four weeks for each and every bar! The soaps are entirely natural, cruelty-free, made with pure vegetable oils, herbs, and a whole bunch of other good stuff that you won't find anywhere else.

Probably the best thing about the soaps are the way they look. Each bar is like a piece of art. In fact, you'll likely find yourself buying more later - just to place on a shelf in your bathroom or kitchen as a decorative accent. They've got a wide variety of styles and price points to fit every budget.

Not that the opinion of one political blogger should factor into your holiday shopping decisions this winter, but my wife and I have tried Sarva Soaps before and been overwhelmingly satisfied.

Plus, if you want to give the Ohio economy a "double shot" with your Sarva purchase, check out their "Suds" soaps - made with beer from Cleveland's own Great Lakes Brewing Company. Nice.

Buy Ohioan this holiday season! Start today with Sarva Soap!

Check back tomorrow for the 411 on the 216 and other popular area codes you can wear.