In making homemade gifts, always try to make use of what you've already had at home since this can decrease cost even further. And don't try to replicate any store-bought toys because you may not be able to compete in that area. Instead, go for uniqueness and personal touches.

Here are some ideas to make your creative juices flowing:

• Personalized scrap book.
• Personalized apron for girls.
• Personalized draw-string bag for girls with some jewellery and home-made hair accessories.
• A couple of 'coupon' for: one day outing, staying up late, one chore-free day and so on.
• Customs for pretend play.
• Doll accessories: clothing, blanket, towel, diaper.
• Homemade wooden blocks, felt puzzle or personalized wooden puzzle.
• Homemade bedroom decoration accessories or a bedroom makeover.
• Homemade car mats for boys. To make one, get 1 yard of canvas fabric, seam edges. Paint roads, stores, stadium, and so on.
• Homemade sock puppets.
• Old toy make over. This includes: repainting an old bike and adding 'bells-and-whistles' to it.
• Personalized treasure box.
• Audio casette of your own voice reading aloud your children's favourite book. The other variation of this item is to tell a story using your child as main character.
• Homemade dolls and stuffed animals.

One of best idea for a homemade toy gift is: gathered items for pretend play. To do this cheaply, you need to plan in advance.

For instance, you can make a doctor office set by putting an eye dropper, syringe (with no needle), popsicle sticks (as tongue depressors), store-bought toy stethoscope, office supply, bandage, X-ray film imitation (use black construction paper with cardboard backing. Draw skull on it), flashlight, cotton wool, and many more.

You can also make a store set, detective set or other set which you know your children are interested in. The nice thing about homemade pretend play set is that you can use real items and is often more complete than store-bought one.

Finally, I would like to encourage you to think that expensive does not mean better. In fact homemade gifts can be as satisfying as store-bought one. And more importantly, they are much less expensive.

Here is a thought, look in your closet, is there a coat you don't wear anymore.....donate it, do you have some extra cash, a christmas bonus maybe, donate to your local foodbank, be fruitful this season, share what you have and even what you don't have, for greatest give of all is love, and whatever you do this season, you have love to give and to share, spread it near and far and watch as angels shine down upon you and fill your heart with joy. YOU, can be light in someone elses life this year and in turn you may find light in yours. Sad and lonely as this time of year may be for some, remember, there are those that have far less than you, and sadness that fills their lives is lack of daily survival necessities. Give hilariously, laugh in face of sadness for happiness and joy comes from sharing with others. Share your heart and your love and whatever else you can give, for whatever you give, you will get in return.

"We not only live among men, but there are airy hosts, blessed spectators, sympathetic lookers-on, that see and know and appreciate our thoughts and feelings and acts." Henry Ward Beecher

Happy Holidays To All and may blessings of season fill your life, your heart and your home.