---
title: The Secret to Cheap Gifts People Will Actually Cherish
description: 'Forget gift cards or store-bought knickknacks that will just get regifted: The best presents come with a personal touch.'
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published: '2014-12-18T03:00:32.000Z'
modified: '2024-04-16T04:55:52.000Z'
section: Lifestyle
tags:
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  - gifts
  - giving
  - guess who
  - hanukkah
  - holiday
  - Holidays
  - homemade gift
  - personalized gift
word_count: 212
canonical: https://money.com/diy-personalized-gifts/
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> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![DIY Guess Who game](https://img.money.com/2014/12/141218_vid_guesswho.jpg?crop=0px%2C207px%2C2100px%2C1181px&quality=85)

If you want to really wow someone over the holidays with a token of your affection, chances are it'll take more than a trip to the mall (or Amazon.com): A survey shows nearly [three-quarters](https://money.com/gift-cards-best-gift/) of Americans will be unhappy with their gifts this year.

Distinguish yourself from ordinary gift-givers by using your skills to make a present that packs an emotional punch. Artistic? One Money staffer's illustrator boyfriend once gave her a hand-drawn picture book in which she was the main character. Good on Google? Another staffer did some Internet sleuthing and tracked down her father's long-lost war buddy and was able to give her dad a letter from the friend as a gift.

If these ideas sound too intimidating or time-consuming, there are shortcuts to memorable gifts. Consider ordering a wall calendar from a site like [collage.com](http://www.collage.com/) with your funniest family photos, organized by season. Or a shirt with an inside joke for your closest group of friends from [customink.com](http://www.customink.com/).

If you're short on inspiration, your best resource is the vast digital footprint we all leave behind these days (for better or [worse](https://money.com/tag/data-breaches/)): Comb through old texts, emails, and chats for clues as to what your intended gift recipient might really love. And—for even more creative ideas—check out the video above.

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