It’s that time of year again. The leaves have fallen, the holiday decorations have been up for two months and Butterball employees are buying new cars. It’s time to start thinking about what holiday gifts to buy.

For a college student, this can be one of the most painful times of year. Not only is it difficult to find appropriate gifts for loved ones, it is almost impossible to find great gifts without emptying your bank account overnight.

There is hope for this holiday season. Gone are the days where you try to remember exactly how many paisley ties you have purchased for your father over the years. Forget pulling out your hair trying to figure out whether you should give your girlfriend of three weeks a diamond necklace or a gift card for a free massage. No longer is there a need to break down in the middle of the mall because you don’t know if you should buy a present for that person who lent you their pen in class last week.

First of all, don’t feel obligated to buy a present for every person that you have met in the past twenty years. You’re a college student, people know you’re poor. Make a list of people that you feel like you should get presents for. Maybe the ones at the bottom of the list just get a card or a Facebook message so they know they’re still loved.

Don’t feel like you have to buy a present at all: You may be one of those creative people who can make really great, heartfelt presents. Some people can’t. For those people, there are other options. Cheap, cheap options.

So you don’t want to buy your dad another tie? For the dad on the go, get him a pair of TSA luggage locks for $11. If he is a professional type, there is a cool little gadget from Sharper Image for about $20 that will charge up his phone or PDA instantly. If he likes classy music, get him a CD, like Il Divo – Ancora which is less than ten bucks at Wal-mart. Or you could always get him a gift card for iTunes or Brookstone.

Did you spend Christmas day last year wondering why your mom was upset with you after you gave her that awesome bowling ball? Help her de-stress by getting her an aromatherapy candle, which are only ten dollars at Target. Or buy her a cheap picture frame and put a picture of you in it, which she’ll love when you go back to school.

The best thing you can do with a boyfriend or girlfriend, new or old, is spend time with them. But sometimes it’s nice to show the love in a… material sense. Guys: chocolates almost always guarantee a smile from your sweetie. You can get a box for four dollars at Walgreens. Or get her a simple, inexpensive piece of jewelry like a sterling silver ring or earrings. She will like something she can show off to her friends.

Girls, if your better half is the musical type, get him a CD he will like. It’s easy and it’s something they’ll really enjoy. For the sporty ones, yes, jerseys are expensive, but sport t-shirts aren’t. And really, what college guy doesn’t need another t-shirt?

Friends. Friends are difficult to buy for. Rule of thumb: Don’t feel like you need to get a gift for a “friend” that you see less than once a month. Pick up a board game from Target and tell them that you challenge them to a drinking game of Trivial Pursuit. Remember that movie you keep telling each other you want to watch? Buy it cheap on Amazon and plan a fun night with your buddy. Don’t forget that the best, and probably cheapest, way to show you care is through the stomach. Christmas cookies are always a good bet.

Don’t go through a lot of drama trying to figure out what presents to get for people. Sometimes it’s easier, and a lot less painful, to ask. Post your own cheap gift ideas below!