By Katelyn Merrell

As the countdown to Christmas unwinds many of us are still struggling to find Christmas gifts for the ones we love. However, if you are like me, you don’t necessarily have the budget to go out and buy extravagant gifts. Here are some creative gift ideas that don’t cost a lot of money, but are still heart felt and will warm the hearts of those receiving the gifts.

Baked Goods: Everyone loves cookies and cupcakes and chocolate treats around the holiday. Depending on the person you have in mind, you can make them their favorite ‘sweet treat.’

 Take a walk down memory lane: Pick out your favorite picture of you and the person you have in mind and make a copy. Once you get the picture, the only thing you will have to buy is a cute picture frame, which you can buy from Michaels, Target, or TJ Maxx. This gift has a very personal vibe to it. Whoever you get this for is bound to love it.

Make Specialized Coupons: Make your own personalized coupons. If it’s for a friend it can say “free massage” or “I’ll buy you lunch.” If it’s for your parents it can be more along the lines of “wash the dishes for a week” or “make dinner for the night.” You can alter the coupons based on the person you are giving them to, which makes them even more special and personal.

‘One Dolla Holla’: If you are on a budget do not be ashamed to shop in the dollar section. Go to the dollar section at Target or the Dollar Store and look around for small items that either remind you of the person or remind you of a specific memory you share. After choosing your items put them in a big bag with a little note attached that explains the meaning behind each item.

DIY Christmas: If you are an artsy person then this idea will be great for you. My mom is a huge coffee drinker, so my sister decided to make her a specialized coffee mug. All she had to do was go to the Dollar Store and buy a plain mug. Once she got home she used a sharpie to write an endearing phrase on it. She wrote, “I love you a LATTE.” Then she stuck the mug in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

The holiday time can be chaotic, but with these heart-felt, inexpensive gift ideas, your Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be such a hassle, it can be a simple, kind way to show your appreciation of those close to you.