Hey – just because you're on a budget doesn’t mean you can't find a great gift to express your gratitude this holiday season! Spark inspiration here:  

If you have a lot of money, your gift budget is virtually unlimited. But for those with fewer funds, the thought truly does count. Showing appreciation may require a little creativity. What do you get someone to show you appreciate them but can't afford to splurge? 

When you want to thank someone or show them what they mean to you, the size or cost of the gift doesn't matter. It's a token of your appreciation; no matter how small, the person will be touched by the gesture. 

Gifts should be appropriate to the person — if it's personal, it's likely to mean more. While wine is a nice gift, if the person doesn't drink wine or would rather drink coffee, it's not the right gift. Small presents that show you were paying attention will nearly always outweigh an expensive, generic gift.  

Here are a few ideas to get you started – some more frugal than others – maybe one of them will spark your imagination.  

1. Frame a picture of the two of you.

2. Lotions or bath oils.

3. Journal. (Everybody can use another one, right?)

4. Gourmet coffee with a personalized mug.

5. A nice pen.

6. Photo album or scrapbook, with memories already included.

7. Homemade cookies you bake yourself.

8. Or brownies.

9. Spice gift basket. Get some small jars and fill them with exotic spices.

10. Gift certificate for the person’s favorite hobby store.

11. A burned CD with all the person's favorite songs.

12. A letter, handwritten on nice paper, from you. Make it heartfelt, with all the reasons you appreciate the person.

13. A small plant.

14. A movie pass and a small container of gourmet popcorn kernels.

15. Soup mixes or cookie mixes in nice clear jars.

16. Personalized T-shirt.

17. Stationery and stamps.

18. IOU booklets with whatever services you are willing to provide. Obviously, it is only good for someone you know really well.

19. Knit or crochet something for someone (I can't do this, but I know people who can).

20. An, "I appreciate you because" jar. Fill a nice jar with slips of different colored paper, each with a reason you appreciate (or love) someone.

21. Jams and jellies.

22. Good bread (home-made works great).

23. Books.

24. A blank recipe book … write some of your favorite recipes on the first few pages.

25. Digital picture frame preloaded with a few meaningful memories.

26. Create your own art (and put it on nice stationery or in a frame). By "art," I mean a sketch, painting, poem, short story, whatever.

27. Scented candles.

28. Make-up set.

29. Shaving kit.

30. Box of good tea and a teacup.