In these money-tight times, finding inexpensive and meaningful alternatives to the usual lavish and expensive gifts is difficult.

Instead of spending last week’s paycheck on one present, use a portion of the money to buy materials for easy-to-make gifts.

Tie-Dyed Clothing
For that hippie in your life.
You will need: tie-dye dye (Save money by purchasing RIT dye instead of an expensive kit), article of clothing to be dyed, rubber gloves, drop cloth or newspaper, rubberbands and any other supplies needed to prepare the dye.
1. Decide what type of design you want your piece of clothing to have. Check out design ideas online.
2. Cover work area with a drop cloth or newspaper to minimize the risk of staining.
2. Lay the clothing out flat and then use rubberbands to tie off sections into the chosen pattern.
4. Prepare dye as instructed on the box.
6. Start dyeing with the lightest colors.
7. When finished, follow the pre-treatment directions. Some require immediate rinsing, while others need to soak overnight.
9. Before giving the item to a friend, wash and dry it once to remove any excess dye.

Wooden Initial Letters
Adds color and sophistication to any friend’s lackluster room.
You will need: blank wooden letters – a letter for each initial in the friend’s name (these can be found at a local craft shop), paint and paintbrushes.
1. Paint the letters to match the friend’s personality or color scheme of their room.

Cozy Blanket
A no-sew blanket for a someone who loves to cozy up in front of a movie.
You will need: two different patterned pieces of fleece (the size of the fleece can be as large as needed) and sharp scissors.
1. Evenly lay the two pieces of fabric on top of each other.
2. Cut a 4-inch square indent into each corner of the fabric.
3. Continuing around all four sides of the fabric, make a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide fringe (make sure to cut both pieces of fabric together).
4. After making all of the cuts, tie the top strip to the bottom strip in a small knot. Do this with all of the fringed cuts to complete the blanket.

Bottle Cap Magnets
For a friend whose refrigerator or dorm room closet needs a little livening up.
You will need: used bottle caps and circle-shaped stickers small enough to fit on a bottle cap.
1. Simply put the stickers on the flat part of the bottle cap and the gift is complete!

Chalkboard Candle-holder
Brighten a friend’s mood with this personalized and functional decor piece.
You will need: chalkboard paint (found at craft stores), paintbrush, a few pieces of chalk and a glass or plastic candle holder.
1. Paint the outside of the candle-holder with chalkboard paint.
2. Let it dry completely.
3. Using the chalk, write a clever message or draw a picture on the holder.

Message Board
Help a friend or neighbor become a little more organized.
You will need: a piece of corkboard around _ inch thick, a piece of fun fabric approximately three inches larger on all sides than the size of the piece of corkboard, hot glue, hot glue gun and ribbon.
1. Lay the piece of fabric flat on the ground.
2. Lay the piece of corkboard evenly atop the piece of fabric.
3. Carefully use the hot glue to glue the fabric sticking out from under the board to the back of the corkboard.
4. Wrap ribbon around the board in diagonal, crisscross patterns and glue the ends of the ribbons to the back of the board.
5. If desired, glue buttons or add tacks to the front of the board.
6. Make sure to slip in a couple pictures, a note, or a card, too!

Personalized Storage Boxes
This present is perfect for storing CDs, movies, makeup or random odds and ends.
You will need: plain hat or video boxes (found at any craft store), puff paint, Sharpies, magazine cut outs and glue.
1. Decorate the boxes in whatever fashion is appropriate for the person receiving the gift.

Note-Notebook
Perfect for friends who need a little encouragement or a smile during a tough class.
You will need: a new notebook, magazine cut-outs, markers, pictures, sticky notes and glue or tape.
1. Flip through the notebook and on random pages glue funny magazine clippings, stick on notes with jokes, or simply write a message to the friend.

Other
Wrapping paper can become quite pricey, too. One easy and funny alternative is using old Sunday comic pages to wrap up a gift.
Additional options include making personalized wrapping paper by drawing pictures or sayings on brown postal paper or white butcher paper.