7 Gifts to Give When You're Broke

Sometimes your wallet is feeling the pinch just as an important date is looming. Welcome to normal, college student! Want to brighten someone's special day without skipping lunch for a week? These gift ideas can help you express your affection while going easy on the student budget.

#1 - Time

"Time is money," someone said, probably someone overly wealthy and impatient. For the rest of us, time, attention and energy may be the most valuable resource we possess. Forget shopping for an hour; wouldn't that hour be better spent helping Aunt Betty clean out that garage she's been complaining about? Usually just showing up (or even calling) will mean more than any physical gift could.

#2 - Photos

Especially in this age of digital cameras, we all have stacks and stacks of photos laying around in boxes and on our hard drive. Those memories deserve to be shared, so dust 'em off, print 'em out, and pass 'em on. You can customize e-cards for friends, but older, offline folk will much prefer a printed photo they can put on the mantle. Label the back with the memory that makes the photo special, and it will remain treasured long after the Juicer Deluxe 3000 finds its way to the landfill.

#3 - Honorary Donations

Many charitable causes let you specify someone else as the semi-official donor. If you've been thinking about donating to a non-profit or other charity, go ahead! On the donation form, indicate who the gift is "in honor of." Everybody wins.

#4 - Crafts

No "inexpensive gift ideas" list would be complete without mentioning crafts - make something with your own hands. Instructables.com can show you how to create anything from scarfs to canoes to fire-breathing robots with chainsaw arms. Do a good enough job, and others will want one too, and you're on your way to being CEO of Fire-Breathing Robots With Chainsaw Arms, Incorporated.

#5 - Food

A few ingredients and the right recipe can produce cake, fudge, and other treats tastier than anything you can buy off the shelf. (Better? Yes! Yours will be fresh.) With good presentation, your humble brownies are transformed into festive delicacies. As a bonus, you know there will be something good to eat at the party.

#6 - Forgiveness

Attend a party for someone you have an old, foolish grudge against. (RSVP in advance.) Both of you might regain an old friend, or at least you'll be able to catch up with some of those friends in common you lost touch with during the feud.

#7 - Party Planning

No one has ever said, "That was a great party Matt threw for me, but he didn't buy me anything." Scout a location, send out invitations, and have everyone bring a food dish or drinks. Toss in a a stereo and you've got yourself an event.