This holiday shopping season many of us will make a concerted effort to spend less, but with a little effort we can still give some heart-felt, customized gifts without breaking the bank. The following are some suggestions:

1. Buy products in bulk or sets and disperse the contents into baskets wrapped in cellophane then tie a bow around it with wire ribbon or raffia. Consider alternatives to baskets such as a baby bathtub, cookie tin, reusable bag, cutting board or decorative box as alternatives.

2. Save energy on baking and consider alternatives such as preparing chocolate-dipped fruit, stir spoons or pretzels.

3. Distribute bulk gourmet popcorn or nuts into clear cello bags and tie it up. Jar homemade jellies, pickles, sauces, or layered cookie ingredients.

4. Get crafty with your family photos. Parents and grandparents, in particular, enjoy seeing the little ones smiling faces on mouse pads, calendars, playing cards or just simply framed!

5. Give your valued services in the form of a gift certificate for a massage, a tutoring session, an evening of babysitting or top-to-bottom housecleaning.

6. Divvy up the parts of toy sets into a few gift packages to spread out the gift-giving experience (Younger kids will just see it as more gifts!).

7. Give gifts such as discounted movie tickets, coupon books, or museum/zoo membership.

8. Institute the draw-names from a hat method with extended family; people swear by it!

9. Gather organic fruit from your farmer’s market and arrange the pieces in a nice basket or container from the dollar store.

10. Focus less on gift giving and more on things such as baking, outdoor activities, playing games, volunteering or caroling.

11. Creatively present/package gifts that are necessities such as hats, towels, sunglasses, school supplies, nuts, coffee, tea.