Pricelss gifts that don't cost a cent

Been pondering on what gift to give this yuletide season? Or you don't have much to spend on presents this Christmas season? These ideas cost next to nothing, but offer priceless memories, yet more often than not, they are the most forgotten ones. Now let's try them, not only because they cost nothing except little efforts, but because they are wonderful and significant.

Smile! Take a wonderful photo of your recipient's child or pet. Make a paper frame or enclose it in a pretty card.

Important tips. Volunteer the gift of a skill: Show a friend or relative how to knit, swim or use a digital camera best.

Babysitters' Club. Offer the couple down the street a free evening of looking after the kids. Or you can promise them some pet-sitting while they're on vacation.

Something from your Garden.If your garden is in season, give flowers, fruits or vegetables.

Make a Bookmarker. For the constant reader, use holiday or other cards to make bookmarks. Cut the cards into strips that show complete scenes (Santa coming down the chimney, for example). Punch a hole at the top of every strip and pull a ribbon through it.

Website Map. Give your recipient a list of off-the-beaten-path Web sites related to her interests (gardening, antiquing, computers, mobile phones, knitting, etc.). Add a brief comment for each site. For a striking holiday background to your list, download free color pages from activityvillage.co.uk. (Click on the Seasonal Pages link on the left side of the main page.)

Words of Love. Send an audio letter to a faraway relative. If you have young relatives who don't live near you, record yourself reading a children's book so you seem that much closer.

Write It Down. If you like to write, compose a poem or a very short story for your recipient. Include references to events in her life and jokes that just the two of you share.

Memorable photo. Share a copy of the most memorable phot you had with the recipient. Write a brief note about the picture and paste it at the back. You can put the picture in a transparent photo frame.

Now you see it, now you believe. There are many wonderful things that we can give this Christmas and they don't cost anything but little efforts and extra thoughtfulness. May your Christmas be merry and bright. And may the new year brings new and better opportunites for us.