If you have a talent share it with others. You could give "gift certificates to those on your list. Do you play piano? Offer free piano lessons. Are you good with kids? Offer free babysitting for a day. Are you well organized? Offer to clean someones house. Do you work on cars? Offer a free oil change. These gifts cost no money to give but could be some of most well received gifts!

You could take above option a step further buy using your services to barter for a gift. If your neighbor sells candles and you would love to get two or three for your sister-in-law maybe you could barter your services. Offer her a free night of babysitting. Or maybe there's a gift in your closet that you recieved last year that you got one too many of. Offer that to her in exchange for a candle.

Remember holidays aren't about buying most expensive gifts. They are about sharing traditions and making memories with those you love.

The ideas for using these globally designed and sold products that have been around for decades are infinite. And probably no product is so practical and useful as well as beautiful. (And modestly priced too!) Baskets are handmade works of art that are functional. Imagine serving drinks on that glorious one-of-a-kind painting you have hanging on wall. Not! But with baskets you can literally put your most unique artwork into daily usage and daily view.

Baskets come in many sizes, shapes and materials such as willow, rattan, bamboo, rope, palm leaf, wire and rags. And many are adorned with metal garnishes, dried coco flowers, gugo vine handles and more.

It's that variety of qualities that make baskets so easy to organize AND decorate with simultaneously.

And you don't have to take a basket as it comes. Dress up any of your baskets by gluing on your own garnishments. For example, craft stores sell all types of trinkets you can glue on your baskets. Be creative. Try personalizing your baskets with anything from buttons to plastic candy canes to miniature toy figures or mini cloth stockings. You could also buy miniature toys and figurines from typical large discount retailers or smaller dollar stores. (What fun to do by yourself or with your children). And when you're done, you can still put that basket to work in an organizational function in your home---only it will have twice value to you (the purchase price plus priceless sentimental value).

(c) 2004 Karen Fritscher-Porter