• You don't have to spend a fortune to give someone a gift that shows your appreciation. In situations like this, less can definitely say more. Draw on your creativity and your knowledge of the person to come up with a unique, personalized gift that will stand out.
  
  

Employee Appreciation

• To show your thanks to a hardworking employee, colleague or boss, you can give a personalized photo calendar, which can be designed and ordered online through stores like CVS or Walgreens and costs between $12 and $30. You can also make the person's favorite food and offer it in a nice dish to keep. A gift card from your colleague's favorite shop, cafe or restaurant can also be inexpensive and is always a welcome gift.
  
  

Teacher Appreciation

• Although an apple is the traditional teacher-appreciation gift, you can be more creative and go for a fruit basket. Putting one together yourself will save you money and allow you to mix and match according to your teacher's taste. A massage or pedicure gift certificate is another not too costly way to appreciate a hardworking teacher. Designing a personalized T-shirt for your teacher is also inexpensive and unique, and the entire class can sign or decorate the shirt together.
  
  

Parent Appreciation

• There are many ways to show you appreciate a parent. Create personalized stationery using some different-colored stamps from a hobby store or art supply shop. Put together a "good memories" photo collage on a small piece of poster board and frame it. Have a song dedicated to your parent on the radio. Or, if you are living with your parent, clean the entire house one day and cook dinner.