Think back to the best Christmas gift you've ever gotten. Chances are, you loved it because it came from someone's heart, not because of a high price tag. Despite that, most givers try to express their feelings by spending lots of money. The average American will dish out about $1,000 on Christmas gifts, according to the American Research Group. Darcy Christensen says that money is likely going toward gifts that won't be remembered. Christensen, for one, would like to see less focus on buying and more on giving gifts with feeling. "I don't think people need more stuff," she says. "People need things that are more meaningful." That may seem cliché, but Christensen lives by the idea. She knits, cooks, makes scrapbooks and scans photos to make unique candles. In the past, she's découpaged boxes, sewn bags, made vases - the list goes on. "At this point, people would be insulted if I bought them something," Christensen says. Creating gifts is a time-consuming process, and many people don't think they have the time - or talent. Artistic skills don't matter, she says, because ultimately, a handmade gift means more because of the extra commitment. Lily Depka, who teaches classes and leads demonstrations on holiday crafts at Michaels Arts & Crafts, agrees. One of the best gifts she ever made was easy and came just after the death of her mother-in-law, who collected handkerchiefs. Depka took the handkerchiefs and made little angels to give to the family. Some of her most treasured gifts are the sloppily made pieces her children gave her when they were young. "I'm not sure if it boils down to being sentimental. I still have a little ornament my daughter made in the second grade," she says. "It was a pill bottle." The crafty women point out that a gift from the heart should reflect the recipient's - not the gift giver's - interests. "You have to stretch your imagination," Depka says. "I have a friend who loves the ocean. She lives in Tucson. If I can make her an ornament that has seashells in it and use a ribbon the color of the ocean, that's pretty special for her." If the idea of making something even as simple as an ornament leaves you at loss, take heart. There are ways to give meaningful presents without covering yourself in ribbon or paint. Cortnie Short suggests putting together a gift basket for the person. She says all you have to do is pick a theme that pertains to the giftee, pick out a few items and package them creatively. For example, a basket for someone who loves the movies could include a present placed in an empty popcorn tub. Adding something that you've made yourself is essential, and something as simple as homemade cookies count, Short says. And the recipient will love the basket because it's obvious some thought went into it. "It's just this huge thing that you didn't just put something in a box and wrap it," she says. "It's an easy way to jazz up a plain or inexpensive gift." Cooking gifts can go beyond cookies, too. Everyone loves to eat, and food gifts work particularly well for those you don't know as well. For those who still can't come up with a good project or who are just too intimidated by the idea of crafting something handmade, Christensen has one more piece of advice: Give the gift of time. Literally. She suggests doing an activity with the person or offering to take on a task they particularly dislike or need help with. "Anyone can wash a car," she says. Men tend to particularly love to receive this sort of gift, she says. For a boyfriend who might not appreciate a jewelry box or hand-dipped candle, plan a date or join him on one of his favorite activities. In the end it's not about the perfect gift. It's about making something that, at its essence, says you care. "They appreciate it," Depka says, "because they do take into consideration the time and effort that goes into it."