How inconvenient is it to be in a recession during the holidays? Okay, so we're all cutting back, but that's no excuse to slack on the holiday giving this year. It just means that we'll all have to be a little more creative and do some digging to find the perfect gift on a budget. And since everyone can benefit from a gift for the home, I've compiled a little list of my favorite easy-on-the-wallet ideas that are sure to flatter the recipient.

1. The gift of scent
Even the toughest cookie on your list can appreciate a softly scented candle. Here are two options from Pottery Barn:
For the more traditional, the Silver-Plated Julep Candlepot can be engraved with a monogram and looks like it cost a lot more than its $25.50 price tag (before shipping & tax).

If the recipient has a more modern style, try this pre-monogrammed one letter candlepot. It comes with an amber-vanilla scented candle that has become my new favorite scent. $20 in store or on the website.

2. Personalized Acrylic Trays
These snack trays come in a variety of colors and styles and can be personalized with the recipient's monogram (seeing a pattern here?). They're fun, cute and totally perfect for carrying those mugs of hot chocolate from the kitchen to the couch! These trays start at $38 and are available at With Grace in Roscoe Village. But if you want to avoid a rush fee, you'll need to get there today!

3. The Hancock Building
Seems a little too big to wrap, right? Don't worry, I'm talking about a mini-sized version - this 24" high Hancock replica is made from hand-tied bamboo, so it's earth-friendly and at just $19.95, it's wallet-friendly too. Perfect for any tree-hugging Chicago lover. Find it at CB2.

4. Snack Taxis & Wrap n' Mats
This one is perfect for someone whose new years resolution is to pack lunch more often! The snack taxi is a small, reusable pouch that is big enough to hold sandwiches or other snacks, comes in different styles and at only $6.99 a pop makes a fantastic stocking-stuffer. The Wrap n' Mat is also reusable and comes in different styles, but it's a little larger and fully unfolds to create a placemat for the recipient's lunch. Comes in two sizes, $6.50 and $8.99. All are available at Green Home Experts in Oak Park.

5. Charging Valet
For the electronics buff who has everything...here's a gift that will help them keep it all organized and charged. This charging station from Overstock.com charges up to six different handheld devices so those cell phones, pdas, ipods, etc can be cleared off the counter and housed in one handsome little charging station. $25.49 plus shipping.