Not all gifts from the heart come with a hefty price tag.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to show the people important in your life that you care. It’s also a season for giving, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are five budget-friendly yet thoughtful gift ideas to spark your imagination and get you thinking out of the box.

1. Personalized Photo Gifts

   They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, the memories they capture are worth more than a thousand dollars. Custom photo gifts made for your loved ones could delight them every time they look at them, making it a gift that keeps giving. Consider taking photos of important moments from their social media accounts and transforming them into a one-of-a-kind coffee mug, vase, holiday ornament or photo calendar. Many online vendors can place a digital photo on almost any item, such as socks or umbrellas. Imagine a pillow made in the shape of a beloved cat or dog. Your imagination makes the possibilities endless.

2. Homemade Treats

   Do you have great culinary talents? Perhaps you just bake a little as a hobby. Either way, nothing is more personal than a tasty treat you made with your own hands. And since the appeal is half the meal, consider packaging your treats in decorative containers or jars to make them extra festive.

3. Knitted, Crocheted and Sewn Items

   Do you knit or crochet or like to sew as a hobby? Sometimes, a unique item made with your hands can have more value than anything in a store. On the plus side, many items like mittens, hats or a custom blanket could help your loved one stay warm and cozy during the cold winter months. Matching the colors, patterns and motifs to the personality and interests of your recipient can go a long way toward making your gift extra special.

4. Books and Journals

   Books remain an excellent and affordable gift that has proven resilient against inflation. And shopping for used books can turn up some incredible bargains. There’s just something special about a form of media that you don’t have to plug in and charge, and with such an astonishing variety, you can personalize a book purchase around any interest your loved one may have. Try pairing a book with a beautiful journal for a thoughtful and inspiring gift set.

5. Recipe Booklet

   Do you have family recipes passed down through generations? Compiling a book of your favorite or most unique recipes can make a great gift. Anyone can look up a recipe online, but none of the ones turned up by a search engine will have your personal history behind them. That’s what makes family recipes unique. You can make the gift more personal by handwriting the pages and binding them with a festive ribbon. And by sharing, you help keep the legacy of your loved ones alive.

Gift-giving during the holidays doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be meaningful. You can create heartfelt treasures for your friends and family with some creativity and effort. If you need help budgeting for this holiday season, consider using our Budgeting tools in your Cadence Bank Online & Mobile app to help keep you on track. Don’t have the app? Download it today from Google Play or the App Store.

This article is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content in the article. The article is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes.