by Sharon Chapman

Created on: December 06, 2008   Last Updated: December 19, 2008

Keeping Christmas within your budget doesn't have to be as difficult as solving the national debt problem. Creative gifts will not only save your wallet they show friends and family that you put thought into their gift and a personal touch. These creative gifts can be made in advance and altered to suit the recipient.

Memory Books: Memory books are the perfect gift idea for mom, grandma or close friends. Gather photos of the recipient and any family members you want to include in the memory book. Purchase a photo album or other blank journal to use as the memory book. Visit scrapbooking websites to find whimsical or creative cutouts to use in the memory book, such as birthday cake shapes for pages with birthday pictures. Use paper glue or double faced tape to put the pictures into the journal along with the cutouts you chose. Add a brief description of the photo using a fine tipped permanent marker. Personalize the memory book with the recipient's name along with date presented.

Personalized Photo Calendar: Make personalized family photo calendars that have important dates marked, such as family birthdays, anniversaries, and events that are personal to the recipient. Add photos that are also personal to the recipient. Use scrapbooking materials or download scrapbooking cutouts from the Internet to mark the dates, such as cutout candles to mark birthdays or candy canes to mark Christmas holidays.

Sweet Treat: Present your friends or family members with all the makings for a sweet treat. This gift is a yummy treat to be enjoyed anytime. Layer the ingredients to your favorite cookies or brownies in a mason jar. Add the instructions to the jar using a ribbon threaded around the lid and attach a wooden stir spoon to the jar using double-faced tape or a small dab of hot glue on the handle.

Lovin' Spoonfuls: Give the coffee or cocoa drinkers this tasty gift. Purchase plastic spoons in holiday colors if available, if not, white works too. Dip them in melted chocolate and then sprinkle with crushed peppermints. Lay on wax paper to dry. Wrap three or four in wax paper with a pretty ribbon and place inside a pretty coffee mug. Add a sample size coffee or cocoa to the mug and you have a flavorful gift sure to warm the heart.

Family Night: Give a gift for the entire family to enjoy and stretch your budget at the same time. Purchase a basket at your local value store and put one or two free movie rental coupons inside. Add some microwave popcorn and boxed-theater type candy,

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