Some of the best Christmas gifts require little money, lots of time, but display loads of creativity.

Extravagance at Christmas is part of what makes it so special. Decadent cookies, cocktails, chocolate are everywhere you turn. Conversely, extravagance can be an abundance of one simple item. It can be fun to give or receive an everyday item in abundance. For the chef one could give a large bag of really good sea salt or a box of different kinds of high-quality chocolate. Buying something that is guaranteed to please is tricky even for someone you know well. Giving gifts that will be used and not take up space is my safe bet. Good olive oil, geranium smelling soap, face masks, and lotion are some gifts that my friends often receive.

Homemade gifts are a favorite because they show love and time.

There are so many gifts to give this time of year for clients, vendors, friends, family, household helpers, the mail deliver, etc. It gets a bit overwhelming. Giving gifts shouldn’t feel like a chore, but shopping for that many people can become one. Making gifts can be time consuming, but they sidestep the pervasive commercialism.

Looking through my files recently reminded me of this scrub recipe. It sounded like a good gift for some of my girlfriends.

Agua fresca de flor de jamaica is one of my favorite drinks while being very healthy. The same girlfriends received a tall bottle of this as well. Recipe here.

Homemade gifts by someone else saves time and leaves your kitchen clean.

Fortunately for me, a good friend makes delicious jam. In a rare moment of planning ahead an order was placed in early November for my client Christmas gifts this year. Betsy personalized the tags to include my logo and even custom colored them to match the orange of my letterhead.

Creative people think of good gifts.

Last year Little Augury, the blog of Patricia Gaye Tapp, posted several creatives’ lists for giving and receiving. These are always fun to read. They are usually more unique and interesting than many. One of my favorite lists however belonged to Ms. Tapp.

One item on her list was flowers from The Green Vase. If you have wondered into John Derian’s store you have seen these flowers. His new store in the West Village has a potted delphinium in the window. Last year the plan was for Santa (me) to give me the book and the flower making kit. That never happened but maybe this year. Making things with my hands is one of my new year’s resolutions, again.

Casa V Interiors wishes you a very Merry Christmas.