In the current spending cuts and difficult economic conditions, many people are turning to making their gifts themselves. It does not mean any less thought is put into them; in fact it is the opposite, as most people take extra care and attention on their home made gifts.

Some people choose to make gift baskets full of homemade food, so they will make things such as small biscuits, chocolates, jam or chutney and make up their own home made and totally scrummy food basket – this is always something that goes down a treat with the recipient, especially if they are a fan of homemade food.

If you grow your own vegetables in the summer, you can make some great gifts such as pickled cucumbers and ginger pickled chillies. You can also dry your chillies and either grind them into red hot chilli powder or thread them onto string for a wonderful rustic decoration.

If money is really tight, why not make up a poem or a song especially for that person, although I have to admit, not everyone can do this well!

If you can knit or crochet, then there are always little knick knacks that you can make with leftover wool which make great stocking fillers or little gifts, so whatever your talent you can always come up with a special Christmas gift.