Christmas is about giving, but that doesn’t mean giving until you drown in debt. The nature of a gift is that it’s something special for each person, which is more about choosing a special gift than about the price tag. When the economy is tight, that’s when the importance of creativity increases. Here are a few ideas that are $10 to $15 for every member of your family:

Mom – At the dollar store, you can find a basket to fill with bubble bath, lotion, nail polish, chocolates, tea cup with tea bags and a paperback novel. Place a card in the basket that gives Mom a Saturday or Sunday off while Dad and the kids make dinner, clean up and let Mom enjoy an afternoon to relax and be off duty.

Dad - Keep his classic car or motorcycle in top condition with a “car care bucket.” Get a large dollar store bucket and stuff it with a wide sponge, soft buffing cloth, spray bottle  (fill with water & vinegar from the kitchen to clean windows), liquid car wash, new car scent spray and a spray nozzle for the hose.

Teens – Movie night with a movie rental card tied in a bow around box of microwave popcorn, container of homemade cereal and peanut snack blend, fruit punch drink mix and a pledge from parents to yield the wide screen TV on movie night and allow a sleepover with friends.

Young children – A tote bag packed with small toys like modeling dough, spinning top, kaleidoscope, bouncy ball, color book with small box of crayons and pocket size doll or plastic animals. You can use fabric paint to write the child’s name on the tote and on the opposite side write, “Travel Fun Kit.”

Grandparents – Choose an inexpensive scrapbook with white pages. Create a theme such as our new home, vacation, back to school, camping or a year of birthdays. Add one photo per page with plenty of room for each person to write a story about the photo. Check craft stores for coupons and sales on decorative elements. It doesn’t matter how well you decorate the pages, the real value in this gift is the photos with personal stories.

Neighbors – Buy recycled mason jars at the thrift store. Fill with a mix for muffins, cookies, pancakes or hot chocolate. Add each ingredient separately to create attractive layers. Place a ribbon around the jar and attach a card with instructions for mixing and preparing the treat. Make extras for that last minute gift you don’t expect to need, but might!

Sports and Message Tee fans – Take a stack of old tees. Cut out the message or image from the tee using a 10×10 square cardboard as a template. You can use iron on transfer backing to affix each to a blanket size piece of muslin then decorate with fabric paints. If you sew, use the tee blocks to create a quilt top. Sew (or ask someone to do it) the tee block top to a bold color backing fabric. It’s a light fabric throw for the bed or wall hanging.

So look around you. Notice what each person enjoys and find ways to bring a personal touch gift that’s short on cash and long on caring. Here are more great idea resources for saving money during the holidays – and remember, on most items, Amazon ships FREE if your entire order is at least $25:

At the holidays we gather the family and sing “Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas Tree, thy leaves are so unchanging.” Whether your tree is unchanging because it’s artificial or freshly green from the forest, the tree is a centerpiece of Christmas holiday decorations.

Choosing the right Christmas tree is more than an impulse buy. You have to consider several factors such as:

Size – A huge tree in a small room is totally out of place. Measure the height of the room and the maximum diameter of the space where the tree will be located. Remember that the height given on the sticker of the live tree does not include the base. Your tree base may be another 6-10 inches from the floor. You also have to allow room for a topper on the tree. A tree that scraps the ceiling looks crowded and overwhelming in a room. For example:

Room height 8 feet minus 6” tree stand, minus 6” star top = 6 to 6.5 foot tree height

Check the tree diameter so that the tree fits well in to the room chosen. Don’t guess! Bring a tape measure with you when shopping for your perfect Christmas tree.

Type – Whether you like the branches of Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine or Blue Spruce, you can find this look in both live trees and artificial trees. A high quality artificial tree is a good value that’s used for years and read to decorate anytime you are. A live tree is an annual expense that’s discarded after a few weeks. If you dislike wasting the tree and the resources used to grow it, you can shop at a tree farm where the tree roots are wrapped. Keep it well watered and you can plant the tree later.

Shape – A live tree can be pruned after you get it home if you do so carefully. An artificial tree is not so easily changed. For people who live in smaller spaces or for the office, you can get a slim style artificial tree that is dense yet compact in diameter. Artificial trees are made with evenly distributed branches for decorating. Live trees are just as nature made them. If you prefer the natural tree look, then you can add extra decorations to the bare spot.

Coordinating with the room – Some types of trees fit better in a formal living room than a casual den. Consider how the shape and color of the tree will look in your room. You might want a rustic, not exactly perfect tree for the family room and a perfectly manicured tree for the living room.

Before you shop for any tree, particularly a large tree, plan how you will get it home. Even large artificial trees come in big boxes. A large live tree hanging out the trunk can easily be broken or damaged if not well supported. If you can’t find a pickup truck to carry a large live tree, bring a sturdy board to place in the truck and use to rest the tree on. Then secure the tree with strong twine and add a bright red bandana on the end to warn oncoming cars that the tree is closer than they think.

Cool New Christmas Tree Trend: Bubble Trees!