by Megan As Well

Created on: November 20, 2008

'Tis the season for racking up credit card debt. Gift giving can be tough, especially when you have a lot of people on your list. Here are some homemade gift ideas which can help you keep your moneyand your sanitythis holiday season. (For step-by-step instructions on any of these, simply search for them through your favorite search engine.)

1. Scrapbook or photo album. This is always a good gift idea, especially for family members and close friends. A scrapbook can contain more than just photosinclude ticket stubs, receipts, newspaper articles, handwritten notes, and stickers. Or, go with a scrap box, which can hold three-dimensional mementos such as seashells, keys, and trinkets. This is as personal as it gets.

2. Jewelry. Assembling custom bracelets, necklaces, or earrings at home is easier than many people think. With the right beads, findings, tools, you can cross all the females off your list.

3. Poetry. Even the least sensitive people can be touched by a poem if it is a well-written tribute to them. Mothers and girlfriends often adore poetry, especially if the poem is custom written for them. Poetry doesn't always work as well with the men. The problem with poetry is that writing great poems can be time consuming and tricky for non-poets, but this shouldn't stop you from giving poetry as a gift.

4. Pottery. If you have the means to make it, handmade coffee mugs, vases, and candy bowls can make great holiday gifts for the adults on your list. This may be the least practical idea on this list, because it requires equipment that not everyone has. For those who don't have the correct equipment, you may want to sign up for lessons somewhere where the equipment is available to you.

5. DVD Slideshow. This idea is a lot like a scrapbook or photo album, but it's a bit technologically advanced. Whether you design it for your honey or for your family, a DVD slideshow is a fun way to relive old memoriesand laugh about outdated apparel. Most computers now come with preinstalled slideshow creators and DVD burning capabilities.

6. Totes and handbags. One year my mother took up purse-making and found that she was quite exceptional at it. That year all the females on her list received a custom bag. Totes and handbags are long-lasting gifts which are practical yet fashionable at the same time.

7. Christmas tree ornaments. There is no time like the holidays for Christmas tree ornaments and other decorations. Creating this gift can be as simple as decorating a box of glass ball

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