Times are tough and people are cutting back, even on their Christmas shopping. If you’re among them, don’t feel bad. There are less expensive alternatives available, some that cost next to nothing. Here are some suggestions.

Make gifts using things you already have on hand around the house. Bake some cupcakes or cookies and deliver the homemade treats to your friends and families. Make a family CD or calendar from the digital photos and software stored on your computer. Crochet some scarves from your leftover yarn or put together a family recipe book. There are dozens of gifts you can make without spending a dime.

Give the gift of service or time. Offer to watch the kids or run errands for a harried mother. Take an elderly neighbor shopping. Wash your brother’s card, clean your mother’s house or cook dinner for a dear friend. Spend a few hours visiting with your great aunt at a local nursing home. You can present gift certificates for these opportunities and more.

Regift when possible. Take a look around your home and collect all of the items you rarely use or have yet to use. This includes all of those gifts you bought and forgot about, as well as those gifts you received and never opened. Wrap them up for the people in your life who will love, appreciate and use them.

If you absolutely must buy gifts, consider shopping at consignment shops and thrift stores. You can often find new or gently used merchandise for a fraction of the retail price. You may even find some treasures from the past that the people on your list would really appreciate.

Whatever route you take this year, make sure your gifts are meaningful. Recipients will cherish the thought you put into them above all else. The dollar tag will mean little on a gift from the heart.

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