With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start shopping for gifts, which for a lot of college students means shopping on a budget. The best gifts are thoughtful and unique to the person you are gifting it to. Luckily, this means some of the best gifts can be homemade, because it shows the time and effort put into the gift.

There are plenty of homemade gifts you can make for the special people in your life. Baking makes for an inexpensive, homemade present that you can gift to many people. Whether you want to bake something festive like peppermint bark or keep it classic with some chocolate chip cookies, this gift is perfect for everyone. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? The most important step for this gift is presentation. Package your baked goods in a festive holiday bag, with a cute little bow and a handwritten note, and you are good to go. Knit a scarf, blanket or top for someone special in your life. Handmade jewelry is also a great gift; buy a jewelry making set and you will be able to make jewelry for everyone in your life. These gifts are perfect because they are customizable to the person you are gifting it to, it allows you to use your own creativity and you may even pick up a new hobby. Making your own candles is also a nice, homemade gift. Reuse old candle containers to save on cost and package the candle with a nice bow and note. There are so many gifts that do not need to break the bank and Pinterest is a great resource to find ideas.

If you want to give someone special a handmade gift but don’t have the time to pick up a new skill to do so, here are some gift ideas. Put together a festive Christmas basket and fill it with little gifts from the $3 section at Target. Mini Christmas trees, a holiday candle, festive fuzzy socks, Christmas pajamas, candies and the list goes on. This gift is perfect because it can fit any price point, depending on your budget, and it is both festive and thoughtful. Another gift for someone special is a scrapbook; you can fill it with photos, memorabilia from experiences together and little notes and stickers. Scrapbooks can be as detailed and personalized as you want to make it, and it is a gift the receiver will keep forever because of its sentimental value. For a significant other, best friend or parent, turn a standard deck of cards into a display of love with “52 Reasons Why I Love You.” Hole punch the side of the playing cards to create a book of cards, then glue small pieces of paper onto each card, writing on each one a different reason why you love the person you are gifting this to. This is a very sweet gesture to show your love and appreciation for someone special in your life.

Now, there are times when you may feel as though you do not have enough time to make these handmade gifts, and that’s where these ideas come in. For the makeup lover in your life, Sephora is currently offering holiday gift sets for under $30. These sets allow you to try out luxury makeup, fragrance or skincare brands and are perfect if you need something fast that is a guaranteed hit. I think jewelry is another gift that you can never go wrong with; jewelry also ranges from inexpensive to luxury, depending on your budget. For unique, one of a kind jewelry shop on Etsy.com; you are bound to find a cute piece of jewelry for a reasonable price. 

Looking for a more festive holiday gift shopping experience? Columbus Circle Holiday Market, Union Square Holiday Market and Bryant Park’s Winter Village are a few spots in Manhattan, New York that are bound to get you in the holiday spirit. With holiday music playing, delicious cuisine, festive treats and small shopping kiosks, these locations are the perfect holiday escape. Stroll around these holiday markets to find the perfect gift for anyone in your life. With such variety, you will be able to find a unique gift that fits your budget.

All in all, the holiday season is about love and spreading cheer. The most important thing to remember when giving a gift is that it does not matter how much money you spent, it matters how much effort you put into the gift. Presentation and gift wrapping is a perfect way to spruce up an inexpensive gift and you can never go wrong with a handwritten note. Remember that this is the season to give back, so don’t forget to use the holiday break to volunteer, donate and help those in need.