Creative Gifts for Our Loved Ones

Charitable Giving. Make a donation in your loved one's name to a favorite cause. Check charities out at sites such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar.

Travel. Whet someone's love of travel with airline gift cards. Choose an airline that goes to a favorite destination, whether to visit family or take a dream trip.

Finance. For children who have enough stuff, put money into savings reserved for college. Consult a financial adviser for the best strategy, considering your budget and the economy.

Technology. Give the avid — or reticent — reader an e-reader or tablet, set up to get books free in English or Spanish from a local or online library.

Health. For an ill loved one and the caregivers, buy a whiteboard and markers, and improvise a system to notate the time, dose and administration of medicine.

Nutrition. For the foodie in your life, print out healthy recipes for each month and buy 12 bottles of wine to match. Check recipes with a Latin flavor by chef Denisse Oller.