The Christmas season can be especially difficult when it comes to finding unique, personal presents for friends and coworkers. You spend hours shopping for the perfect gift at a price you can afford, but everything seems either too generic or overpriced. Never fear; there are options. The best gifts I've received have often been small, unique, and inexpensive presents created by friends who really took the time to get to know me and find out what I would want.

One of my favorite gifts is a bowl a friend made for me while taking a pottery class. I was constantly losing my keys, so she made a lovely little bowl, painted it to match my d