Unique, Inexpensive Gifts for the "Hard to Buy For" on Your List

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.

1. Buy pillar candles in bulk, in a variety of colors. 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.

2. Make 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 ½ 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.

3. Serving or decorative tray ideas:
a. 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 items-or wrap and give by itself for a unique gift.

b. Purchase an unpainted wooden tray from craft store. Paint or decoupage the tray. Include stationery or other items appropriate for the recipient.

c. Purchase picture frames you like, or unfinished frames you can decorate yourself. Insert pictures, sheets from wallpaper sample books, wrapping paper, etc., under the glass for a quick and decorative tray.

4. Hard to buy for teenage girl: "911" kit to include funky stationery and gel pens, movie rental gift card(s), healthy snacks, chapstick/lip gloss, emery boards, decorative tissue travel packs, hand sanitizer, cell phone holder and/or charms, and any other fun items you find on sale. Pack them all in a fun decorative container and you've got a real winner for any teenage girl.

5. Another alternative that would work for boys or girls is to buy a cd wallet and insert a gift card for a store that sells cd's and dvd's in one of the sleeves. You could add chapstick, a key ring or other small items inside the case.

6. To make an inexpensive pen/pencil holder for a home or work office, buy a plain, plastic bathroom tumbler. Add decorative touches like decoupage with plenty of varnish, fun fur around the borders, buttons, or other decorative touches. (Coffee beans or cat litter in the bottom of the pen holder keeps pen points from getting "gloppy." Include pens, fancy paper clips and post-it notes.

7. Frame a greeting card that has a picture and/or message you like and put it in a complementary frame. Include a note indicating why the picture is meaningful to you.

8. For those who enjoy entertaining:
a. Paper guest hand towels, decorative soaps, potpourri in a decorative basket.
b. Cans of nuts, olives, fancy cookies, mints, disposable coasters, in a bowl or basket.

9. Low-tech children's gift ideas:
a. Sidewalk chalk
b. Stickers
c. Jacks
d. Old Maid card game
e. Books
f. Puzzles
g. Etch-a-Sketch
h. Dominos
Any of these are great individually, and can be combined and placed in a tin or other fun container.

10. For coffee drinkers: coffee shop gift card and after coffee mints in a fun mug.

Use your imagination, and observe those around you. Your gifts are bound to be remembered for years to come because they'll stand out as unique and personal.