Creative gift giving

Around this time of year my attention turns to getting Christmas gifts for everyone on my list. My goal is to always have at least one gift I really look forward to giving, because it is the perfect fit. Some people on my little list are so easy to buy for and get excited about while others fall into a category of either "already has everything" or "picky" and most likely the two are synonymous. The people in this hard-to-buy-for camp take a little bit more of a creative approach and as I brainstorm I find some of the ideas I am pulling from also come when gift giving on the cheap was key.

• Coupon book - The coupon book was a perennial favorite when I was a kid. Christmas gift for mom and dad? Coupon book. Mom's birthday? Coupon book. Mother's day? Father's day? Coupon book. You get the point. Anyway, I still like the concept and have practiced the "certificate" version of this in recent past (trip to Meramac Caverns, Riverboat cruise trip, etc).
  Pros: Easy to create on a small budget or at the last minute.
  Cons: The coupon book and the certificate have the same pitfall, which is executing the promises made.
  
• Personalized stationery - A few years ago for Christmas my sister gave me personalized stationery that she created from colored paper, but it was cool and not like an elementary craft project (not that there's anything wrong with elementary craft projects). Anyway, the envelopes were also pre-addressed to her temporary address in Nicaragua as she was embarking on a 7 month adventure in Central America the following week. The gift belied the shoestring budget she was working with because it was so well thought-out.
  Pros: Can easily be done on a small budget. You get to channel your inner Martha (this may also be a con).
  Cons: This only works if the person is a letter writer or has an upcoming event that requires thank you cards. I tried to implement a version of this at a bridesmaids party for my sister and realized that one "thank you" stamp is not enough. Now she has several thank you cards with a fly-swatter stamped on them and random grommets.
  
• Family pictures - I have a big extended family (my mom is the youngest of 9) and old family photos are a hot commodity amongst the cousins. We don't exchange gifts outside of our immediate families, but one project I really want to work on is to scan the family photos and post online for everyone to download or print as they see fit. For something tangible, I may take the photos to a photo center and print out the best pictures to give to some of the family members that we spend time with during the holidays.
  Pros: The pictures can be printed multiple times and are digitized for long-time archiving.
  Cons: The gift is limited to those with online access.
  
• Exploit your talents - Akin to the coupon book idea, this builds on the idea of "I do something for you" and makes it proactive - like doing a project or service that builds on your talents or profession. This is easy for hair-dressers, carpenters and jewel thieves because they have something to offer that just about everyone wants or needs. This also works for anything you are suited to - like helping get a wireless network set up or getting an iPod loaded with music if you have the know-how.
  Pros: This can be a very inexpensive way to give a gift the user really wants and this can definitely be the best approach for the person who has it all.
  Cons: Executing the project is the gift, but getting it scheduled might be harder.


• Add to their collection - Adding to your loved ones twine or stein collection can be exactly what they want and it narrows the focus on what to look for.
  Pros: As long as the collection isn't Lladro figurines or expensive jewelry, this can be a thoughtful and inexpensive gift. Also some collections are annual series and need to be purchased or become expensive to procure after the fact.
  Cons: If that is all they ever get from you then it could be less exciting and borders on thoughtless.