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Let's face it, there is always someone on our holiday shopping list that has everything, or at least everything we could afford to give them! Often, we also receive a gift from someone unexpectedly and we're caught off guard because we don't have a reciprocal gift.

Sometimes, we want to buy a gift for someone with whom we have little in common or have little knowledge of their taste and preferences a babysitter, a receptionist in a doctor's office, or your favorite cashier at the grocery store. These ideas are inexpensive, creative, and will make the recipient feel you have personalized a gift just for them.

Buying pillar candles in bulk, in a variety of colors ensures you'll always have a handy last-minute gift on hand. Everyone enjoys candles. It's so easy to wrap up one or two, add a nice candle holder and you've got a great gift, not just for the holidays, but for birthdays, or any special occasion.

Another inexpensive, quick and easy, but very attractive gift to make is a decorative wall hanging using a placemat (these are very inexpensive if you use a placemat in the sale bin). Cut a dowel of appropriate size about 1 inches longer than the length of the "top" of the wall hanging. Fold over the top of the place mat and hot glue to the back of the placemat, leaving a big enough space for the dowel to slide through. Tie a ribbon to both ends of the dowel for hanging.

Several options for making serving or decorative trays can be used, and your only limits are on your skill level, your budget, and your imagination. Purchase mirrors in various sizes with interesting frames. Add cabinet handles (kitchen cabinet handles work great) to the top of the long ends of the frame. Voila: instant tray. Add toiletry items (purchased on sale, in bulk throughout the year) or other itemsor wrap and give by itself for a unique gift.

Another idea for the crafty at heart is to purchase an unpainted wooden tray from a craft store and paint or decoupage the tray. Include stationery or other items appropriate for the recipient.

For those less crafty types, but with a desire to make a truly inexpensive and personalized gift, purchase picture frames you like, or unfinished frames you can decorate yourself. Insert pictures (old greeting cards are great!), sheets from wallpaper sample books, wrapping paper, etc., under the glass for a quick and decorative tray.

Teenage girls can be pretty tricky to buy gifts for. Every for teenage girl is sure to appreciate a "911" kit to include funky stationery

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