The holiday season brings on a lot of family, friends and traditions, however, the one thing that seems to be on people’s minds are gifts. Purchasing gifts can be hassle during the holidays and hard on the wallet. The best way to solve your money woes during the holiday season is to take a do-it-yourself approach and craft inexpensive, but thoughtful, gifts.

For those who are looking for a special piece of jewelry but cannot afford the professional glass display, a homemade geode or pyrite ring can still cast a pretty sparkle.  All that is needed is a blank ring, a glue gun and a flat geode or pyrite stone. Simply glue the geode or pyrite stone flat side down on the ring and let it dry.

Another option is to make a color block necklace out of Scotch Color & Pattern Duct Tape, a crescent necklace plate, gems and super glue. First, take the crescent necklace and wrap the middle of it with color tape. Next, fold another color onto it in the shape of triangle and stick it in the middle and wrap the ends on the back. Do the same on the other side. Cut another triangle of a different color and place it in the middle on top of the other piece of tape. Finally, arrange the gems onto the tape, glue them and let it dry.

Ladies, not every guy wants a tie or video game for the holidays. Instead make him a quilt out of T-shirts with his favorite sports teams. All you need is a couple of shirts, needles, thread and a sewing machine. A similar quilt can be made for those on your nice list who love comics.

Looking for tech accessories can be pricy, but a homemade laptop cover can just as easily put a smile on their face. Needed materials include fabric glue, ribbon, a ruler, scissors, a pencil, a buckle, felt and canvas fabric. Here is a link to a how to video for further instructions http://ispydiy.com/my-diy-envelope-laptop-case/. Once done, they will have a handy envelope laptop cover.

Another inexpensive idea for tech savvy people is a laptop riser for bed use. All that is needed is a bent plywood stool, a saw, masking tape, two screw in towel hooks, a screw driver, one extension cord and cable tacks. First, measure how tall the riser needs to be and mark it with a piece of tape so it will be sawed evenly. Next, screw the hooks on either end of one side, with the curved bottom facing down. Last, attach the cord to the inside with cable tacks and wrap the rest around it for storage.

There’s no need to stress during the holidays! Create joy and smiles from these and other ideas, not a debt-ridden credit card.