Hmm, what's on my mind today?  I guess it's just so depressing with the holidays coming and no money to buy all the garbage that everyone throws away anyways!  I guess it's always been my dream to buy all those expensive presents for everyone, but I've never been rich enough, lol.  So it will just be a dream for another year.  Honestly, you don't have to spend a fortune of gifts to make some really nice, useful ones.  They really are more appreciated because you are thought of every time it gets used.  You can make a gift basket of any type you see in the store.  One time I made homemade jam, wrapped it in green tissue paper, set it in a pie tin, wrapped that in white tissue, and stuck a poinsettia flower (fake) in each one.  Everyone thought they had got a poinsettia until they opened it and then they were even happier because they love my jam!!  But you don't have to be a great cook either.  You can buy the boxed mixes, bake them up and wrap them nice.  Another idea is to make a gift basket around a theme.  One year I did apple crisp baskets.  I put in a baking pan (dollar store), 2 cans apple pie filling (on sale) and a bag of homemade crisp.  I included basic directions.  You can put together a bath basket using samples (free, look online) or trial sizes from the stores.  Pick a scent, color, or gender to keep the theme together.  How about a meal basket?  Spaghetti, sauce, bag of salad, dressing, fresh bread and garlic spread ( butter with minced garlic added, stir and package).  You could do a coffee basket with coffee, cute cheap cups, etc.  Tea, cocoa (there's great recipes online for flavored ones to make and these are really good).  For kids style it to their age.  A book or small game, some snacks to munch on or a movie and popcorn basket for those with teeth, lol

The basic idea is to figure out what the person you are giving it to really likes.  Look at their lifestyle, hobbies, interests, etc.  You can find something that you can put together or make that will mean more to them than any expensive present you could ever buy, almost haha.  I'll have to ask my brothers if they would rather have a porche or my cheesecake- might be an interesting poll to add, think I'll try it!!!