T’is the season for X-mas shopping. The problem is you’re on a limited budget and you can’t afford those fancy gifts . Don’t be blue over your green problem or if you’re in the red. You can make gifts for everyone in your life from your boss to your baby sister. There are so many different options that you’ll already feel like you’re shopping in a department store.

1) Baking. This is the easiest , even for those who are creatively challenged. You can make huge batches of sugar and chocolate chip cookies. If you feel that it’s an expensive gift, head to the stores with the best sales on ingredients. Some have buy two sacks of sugar or flour for the price of one. Also take advantage of supermarket club discounts on all baking goods and items. Then go wild with baking and decorating. If you’re creative then think about adding merengues and snickerdoodles to your platters. Buy trays and ribbon from your local dollar store and colored Saran wrap from your grocery. Assemble prettily wrapped platters to take to the office, parties and family gatherings. If you feel really adventurous you can bake gingerbread houses for people, especially ones with children. For this you may require help in assembling and icing.

2) Sweets for the sweet. Know what’s even easier than baking? Candy making. Yup, this type of gift doesn’t require any oven time or a ton of messy bowls and cookie sheets. Chocolate is easy to melt and can be made into lollipops or as coating for pretzels and nuts. If you’re pressed for time think about making haystacks, These only take a few minutes to make. Just take a bag of chocolate chips and melt with two tablespoons of butter or margarine. When it’s done, add coconut flakes to the mix and drop in mounds on waxed paper Set in fridge or cool area (like your front or back porch to chill). Another easy and yummy gift is homemade fudge. You can find many recipes on the web to help you. Store in decorative tins bought from your dollar store.

3) Knit this! There’s nothing more enjoyable than a hand knit scarf and hat set. You can find a variety of yarns at your local craft store or even online( for the fancier mohairs and angoras). If you’re really talented you can also knit up slippers or even a simple but useful pullover sweater. If you’re not a whiz with two needles then think of just using a crochet hook. You can make everything from pretty tablecloths to fancy wraps to designer fabulous sequined shells. A neat hostess gift is a set of hand knit or crochet placemats and matching coasters. Use up your leftover wool as well. You can crochet catnip balls for your kitty or knit a cute sweater for your puppy.

4) Sew what! Sewers can showcase their talent during this season. You can make your favorite moppets everything from cute holiday outfits to stuffed toys. Another fun gift to sew up is pajamas. You can create the perfect his and hers PJs for your favorite couple. If you really want to win the best gift ever award then create your own one of a kind design for your recipient. This smacks of “for celebrities only” couturier clothing and makes your wearer feel runway glamorous. You can also buy designer patterns and give someone the best of Chanel, Kors or Karan.. If you want to go luxe for the home think about sewing up plush bedroom or living room pillows , decorated with velvet, beads and lace.

6) Jewelry rocks. Jewelry making is relatively easy despite that it comes with tricky clasps, catches and beadwork. Several night schools and bead stores have jewelry making classes and can guide you through creating simple yet unique earrings, bracelets and necklaces. You can also create unique charm bracelets too. Aim for the lower priced beads and charms as opposed to the more costlier ones to save pennies.(and eventually bucks. Thirty beads can cost as much as twenty five dollars). Some bead stores will have tables where you can search out and root around for bargain beads (some cost as low as ten cents!). If you want an even more unique necklace scour through the more expensive beads and put two or three together on a silk or leather cord (the bead store will have these too).

7) Home made beauty. If you love creating your own salts, masks and scrubs, then think about concocting ones for your friends. You can buy the ingredients from your local grocery store and scented oils from any health food store. Just make sure that you select products that don’t turn quickly such as banana , avocado and eggs. Check on the web for some interesting and healthful recipes regarding this. Package in pretty glass jars you can buy at your local dollar store.

Oven roasted goodness. Using a simple salt dough recipe (salt, flour and water) you can bake either ornaments or pendants. You can create cute ornaments or pendants to wear on a silk cord (your craft store will have these). You can also make plaques as well along with small candy dishes for desks and end tables. It’ll be about four cups of flour to one and a half cups water. Then add one cup of table salt , mix and knead as if you were kneading bread dough. Use a rolling pin to flatten. You can use cookie cutters or a knife to cut and add dimension. Decorate with acrylic paints and an acrylic finishing spray.

Don’t worry if you’re on a tight budget this Christmas. You can use your creativity and skill to come up with one of a kind gifts for everyone. They’ll be better than what you would buy from your local department store on online .