1. To say thank you: Thanking people in writing is rare, and this type of note is a keepsake showing how a person's actions were meaningful to you.

2. To apologize: "I'm sorry" written in your own hand helps display the sincerity of your feelings.

3. As a greeting card: Not finding a card to express our true sentiments can be frustrating. Hand-write a heartfelt note the next Mother's Day, birthday, or Valentine's Day.

4. As a love note: Saying "I love you" to a spouse, child, friend, or relative through a note is an authentic way to remind both yourself and your loved one of how much you care for one another.

5. As a gift: Include a photo, gift card, or other item inside your card after you've written a personal congratulatory or birthday message.

Let these ideas inspire you to correspond with others in more personal, meaningful ways.

• Baskets: not just for Easter! There are loads of wood, wicker, and fabric options in many sizes, and they usually fit a variety of items. These are especially welcome when they're filled with edible treats, beauty and bath products, or small decor items like coasters, frames, and candles.

• Buckets: metal silver or colored pails are a perfect pairing with office supplies, garden tools, or kitchen utensils.

• Crates: these come in some larger yet portable sizes and are made of wood, metal, or plastic. They're great for gifting tools, bedding, or toys and make an easy carry-all between rooms.

• Cardboard: cereal and cracker boxes and paper towel tubes are often the right size for clothing items, cosmetics, and jewelry. Wrap them in old newspaper or magazine pages to give them a pop of color without having to go to the store.

Attach a quick ribbon tie or take a piece of fabric from an old t-shirt and create a bow to add a final polish to your gifts.

1. We're fans of the written word. Who doesn't want to read about how great they are? Write a poem like a short haiku or a few lyrics for a song. Perform your poem or song for your recipient or send it snail mail.

2. Give a picture. Print out a photo or have it printed out on canvas (even Walgreens can do this) for a ready-to-hang version. Add a cool frame or attach something meaningful like a gift certificate to a place in the photo.

3. Bake some cookies or brownies and put them in a reusable metal bucket, baking pan, or wicker basket. Write or type the recipe on a plain index card, hole-punch the card, and tie it all up together with ribbon. Add flair by decorating the recipe card and packaging baked items individually before setting them in the gift container.

4. Get nostalgic and find a book, photo, or record that relates with your giftee's past. Meaningful events often include high school or college graduations, a wedding anniversary, becoming a parent, or a first marathon.

5. Let your giftee get creative: get some blank canvas or an unfinished wood piece and include a small paint set with brushes. Michaels stores carry a great selection of inexpensive, ready-to-paint unfinished wood items. Include a how-to book or a sample picture to help get them started.

Happy gifting.