We have come to that time of year again where we have to start thinking about the perfect Christmas gift to present to each of the cherished people in our lives. There is nothing more special than giving a thoughtful, meaningful and creative gift to the people you love in this cheerful holiday season. In all reality though, most of our schedules are currently filled with studying, group meetings, textbook reading and preparations for final presentations and exams. But gift giving can still be personal and creative on a time and budget crunch that is sure to please all of the family and friends on your list. As always, I am an advocate for creative and handmade gifts. They say something much more special and meaningful than a gift card and can often be done on a budget. I think giving accessories is the best gift for a fashionable friend. It shows you recognize their love of expressive style, but takes away the challenge of finding clothing in the right sizes. Accessories can be handmade for the brave and crafty souls with a little bit of time between finals week and Christmas, or they can be purchased for those who lack time or patience. One idea I have come across lately in my own gift research is t-shirt scarves. There are countless tutorials online that show how to transform a t-shirt into a fun and stylish scarf with knotting, braiding, embellishing and cutting. Many of them require no sewing and no materials other than a t-shirt and a pair of scissors. One would never know it was created from a simple and inexpensive t-shirt either. Scarves are an item that can be purchased at any department store, boutique or from a variety of fashion store sites online. They are a piece that adds flare and color to an outfit and is a gift that lets the recipient incorporate it with their existing wardrobe to match it with the pieces that express their individual style. It is a simple and useful gift for the fashion guru and are a one size fits all item. Jewelry is another gift that can be easily handmade to cater to the style of your gift recipient, and earrings are probably the easiest of them all. If you just go to a craft store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby or a beading store, you can find a seemingly infinite number of beads, stones, jewels and wires to supply your creativity and an opportunity to make completely one-of-a-kind jewelry that is personalized to each special person on your gift giving list this year. Books that give a supply list and step-by-step instructions to jump start your creative jewelry making ideas can also be found in these craft stores. Fun jewelry is a perfect gift to purchase as well. Much like scarves, jewelry can be added to an existing collection and put the finishing touch on an outfit without the worry of choosing the correct size. Accessories are a perfect gift that will recognize style and will fit each of your recipients without a worry. Poke around online a little or take a trip down the aisles of a craft store for ideas and inspiration to add a little style to your gift giving this year, then let your accessorizing creativity run wild. By Erin Nalli ; RMSMC A Christmas giftdoes not need to cost a lot, its truly the thought of the gift than the actual Christmas Gift. We all have those friends and relatives that give Christmas gifts that can't even be regifted or returned. This year be the friend or relative that is the talk of the dinner table and send or bring a Christmas Gift Message in a Bottle. An instant keepsake and a beacon of your creativness and happy thoughts about you, each time they see your bottle they will think of you. The word 'forever' is a word I used to dread. Visions of hourglasses would flitter through my head. The word 'older' is a word I used to fear. Imagining my beauty, fleeing with each year. Then the day I met you, the words changed day by day. And I never did see those words in quite the same old way. 'Forever' now brings visions of living in eternal bliss. And 'older' now brings visions of lifelong happiness. A butterfly flutters on by, its wings whispers your name, A rose basks in the morning sun, the scent reminds me of you. A gentle breeze caresses my face your touch, gentle. So many times, the words within my heart are unlocked by my soul, and they begin to come out - Love, Passion, Beauty, Grace How I yearn to say these words, But don't know how, I just have. The Original Message in a Bottle shop founded in 1998 offers message in a bottle gifts, invitations and kits for the do it yourselfer. Send a message in a bottle today and it will become a beacon of your emotions and a connection that can't be broken.