Homemade presents could bring more bling-bling to your lovedone’s eyes than spending more cha-ching from a store – if youdo it right.

At this time of year, the pitter-patter of December’sleaves falling down can mean only one thing: that bank accounts,much like the leaves, will soon be trampled over and crunched underthe pressure to buy holiday gifts for family and loved ones.

The looming expectation of presents can create an anxiety asvicious as a four-part essay exam.

Depending on family situations, this could mean up to 10 peopleor more. When someone says “going home for theholidays’ it could mean “going broke for theholidays” instead.

This holiday, the best thing to do is to make your own giftsfusing the materials and skills you already have. Get creative andthink about what supplies you already own. This way the only thingthat costs you is your time.

If you know how to knit and you already have a set of knittingneedles and yarn, then knitting a scarf or two for your family orfriends might be a cheap, easy idea.

If you don’t know how to make a scarf but would like tolearn how, Urban Outfitters offers a starter knitting kit sosomeone can learn how to become a knitting dynamo. This setincludes an instruction manual, two contrasting color skeins ofyarn, knitting needles and the ability to impress your friends withyour new knitting skills. At $18, this may be steep, but in thisset you can make multiple gifts.

Another homemade gift idea for this allergy season is to givesomeone an embroidered handkerchief. If you have a needle andthread and a square piece of fabric, embroider someone’sinitials on it for a personal gift. Giving someone a monogrammedhandkerchief is stylish, classy, perfect regardless of gender and aquick and simple idea.

If you’re more into painting than sewing, why not bust outyour acrylics and paint someone a homemade card or picture withyour own design on it. Acrylic paint is better because it driesquickly and is easily removable with water in case you make amistake.

Use sentimental photos you have of parents or friends and stickthem in a cheap and decorative frame from Ross.

As for stocking stuffer ideas, pick up a few lottery tickets fora dollar or for three dollars. Lottery tickets are a cheap andpractical way of brightening someone’s day, because thesecards have the potential to be worth more than what they may seem.They are also great to stuff in a Christmas card to make it alittle more special.

Gift certificates are also great to slip into cards. Try JambaJuice or your friend’s favorite eatery &- for collegestudents, the gift of food is definitely appreciated.

Or just fill a cheap felt stocking with candy. Check out cheapstocking stuffers at Walgreen’s, Longs and Rite-Aide anddollar stores.

Whatever you do, spreading holiday cheer doesn’t have tocome with an expensive price tag.