Stores are full of festive decorations, and Christmas music plays in every public place. It's a time for celebration and relaxation, a time to commemorate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and share God's blessings.

Unfortunately, for many single parents the desire to share these blessings can be stressful. Money is tight and it requires creative juggling just to cover the basics.

The standard solution offered to this problem: If you don't have the money to buy it, make it. One widower responds, "I've been advised to make my gifts. Nice suggestion, but crafts are definitely not my strong point."

A single working mother says, "What many don't realize is that fabric, patterns, thread and buttons are expensive. Everything adds up. Besides, who has the time?" Both have valid points. So what do you do with little money to buy gifts and not much time or talent to make them?

Make it Meaningful

Remember that a gift conveys a message that you care about the person who is receiving it. You never want to give a gift that will leave the recipient feeling guilty or unappreciated. So avoid dollar store trinkets or flea market bargains.

The hardest situation may be with a teenage son or daughter. Lisa, the single mother of a 15-year-old boy, complained that her son became resentful when he saw all the expensive gifts his friends from two-income families received. This made Lisa feel like an inadequate provider.

Her solution was to help her son choose a few items he wanted most for Christmas. Then she watched for sales and specials to find the best deals. Fliers and catalogs also offer the opportunity to compare the prices of smaller items.

Special Touches

Use your imagination. A gift that appears to have only one function can actually have many more. For example, the less-obvious use of a travel game is as a distraction for a person in the hospital. It's also a great gift to give fellow harried single parents. Personalize the gift with a short note: "For those times you need to get away but can't find a baby-sitter." They'll know exactly what you mean.

Taking the time to consider the little extras when giving Christmas gifts is always noticed. A roll of film with a photo album, a bath sponge with body wash, a fridge magnet with kitchen towels, or a bookmark with a novel are inexpensive but can show appreciation for someone's interests and hobbies.

To save time you can buy doubles of things you yourself use. Such items as stationery, toiletries, picture frames, preserves or jams make suitable practical gifts. Just add a ribbon and a card.

A variety of unique Christmas presents can be made from a combination of discount store items and what you may already have in your home -- without requiring craft savvy. Get your children to help, at the same time teaching them about creative, thoughtful gift-giving.

Even those with rudimentary culinary skills can pull out a cookbook and bake shortbread Christmas cookies. Children love doing this. Then line a basket or box with tissue paper and fill it with the homemade goodies. Cover with plastic wrap, add a colorful bow and address the card.

Make another gift by using a clean jam jar. Remove the label and fill with layered ingredients for cookies, soup or coffee and tea mixes. A large bow or paper cutout on the lid will cover the food label. Complete the present with a card that gives the recipe instructions.

In an effort to save money, single mom Lisa removes shoots from plants she has in the house instead of buying more. She soaks them in water until the roots sprout. Lisa routinely replants shoots into pretty ceramic planters and offers them as gifts.

A jar or box of handwritten certificates is another inexpensive gift people appreciate. The certificates can include such things as cleaning up Christmas decorations, baby-sitting or a night out. A slightly different approach is to give notes of pleasant memories you've shared with the person.

Or for fun, you can place some marbles in a jar. Attach a card with the following words: "A spare set in case you lose yours" with a reminder never to become too overwhelmed with the many challenges of single-parenting.

Enjoy the Christmas season and remember the lesson in God's gift of His Son: The ultimate gift is one that comes from the heart.