Holiday gifts don't have to empty your wallet.
And trying to think up ideas that trim the costs without limiting the fun can give you a headache. Instead, just have some fun with it, says Hillary Mendelsohn, author of "thepurplebook" series of shopping guides and founder of thepurplebook.com.
"When you're spending less, it's about using your imagination, it's about color, it's about thoughtfulness," she says.
"Gifts are meant to be thoughtful (and) not necessarily expensive," Mendelsohn says. "And this is where that comes in more than any other gift -- when you're in a pinch to spend just a small amount of money."
Looking for an inexpensive but fun gift and have no idea where to begin?
Here are some ideas to get you started. And -- best of all -- they fit a variety of giving situations, from hostess gifts to presents for hard-to-please relatives to your Secret Santa pick at the office.