Cha-ching. Many college students associate the holiday season with spending an absurd amount of money on friends and relatives. You and your wallet, however, can survive this time if you remember the age old adage, 'It's the thought that counts.'

Follow our guide for tips on finding or making inexpensive (under $10) and creative gifts for your friends.

The gift of food

Slave away in the kitchen in between pre-finals cramming and whip up a batch of your grandma's secret recipe cookies. Bake a dozen or so per friend, place in a decorative tin, and voila! Your friends will be impressed by your culinary skill and originality.

According to their Web site, Dorothy Lane Market, located in Oakwood, is nationally known for their Killer Brownie. Several layers of chocolate goodness are sure to please the chocoholic on your list. Each brownie weighs about 1/3 pound and is available in six varieties'Original, Blonde Ambition, German Chocolate, Not-A-Nutter, Peanut Butter and Raspberry. The brownies are sold in the store's bakery for about $3 and online at http://www.dorothylane.com. Gift tins containing four brownies are also available for those who want to spend more.

Dinner at Chipotle is sure to be a big hit with the burrito-loving friend. Who doesn't love the goodness of a warm tortilla filled with rice, beans, cheese and meat? If you don't have cash, give him or her an 'IOU.'

The gift of entertainment

Second Time Around on Brown Street offers a wide selection of pre-owned movies and music. Comedy, drama, series, rock, hip hop, jazz'they have it all. You won't break the bank either, as most items run between $8 and $12. Get out of the bitter cold and find your friend the copy of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' she's had her eye on.

Thanks to Ruckus, you can now download music legally. Download a play list and burn it onto a CD for your music-loving friend. A CD is a nice memento since it will last a while. A mix is sure to please anyone!

Treat your friend to a night at the movies. The Greene's Cinema de Lux 14 is the hot spot right now. Break away from studying and enjoy some entertainment. I recommend 'Borat' if you need some comedic relief. Don't forget the popcorn! Check out http://www.thegreene.com for more information.

The gift of charity

The holidays can be rough for the underprivileged. Make a difference in someone's life and make a contribution in your friend's name to a charitable or non-profit organization. Ask your friend if one is close at heart and donate your money to a good cause. You'll feel good about it! If you need some suggestions for organizations, see the United Way of Greater Dayton's Web site, http://www.dayton-unitedway.org.