Baskets can be washed in warm water and dried outside or in the airing cupboard, then filled with items especially chosen for the person you're giving to. For example, for a friend who loves sewing, make up a patchwork basket, containing a template for the shapes, ready cut squares or hexagons of fabric, threads, needles, pincushion or scissors. Two mugs, special tea bags, mini pots of honey and marmalade make a breakfast basket, similarly mugs, sachets of hot chocolate, and a lavender sachet to aid peaceful sleep make a goodnight basket. Crumple tissue paper into the basket first, then arrange the items prettily before covering with cellophane and tying with crinkly ribbon and gift bows. A variation on this theme is a gardener's flower pot.
Half fill a flowerpot with crumpled paper or straw.
Haunt the cut price shops for presents that may just need some creative pairing with another inexpensive item to make a lovely gift. Once you start thinking along these lines you'll probably come up with lots more ideas of your own. Use the skills you have to make presents. If you can cook make cakes, cookies or fudge. If you can sew make frilled cushion covers to match your friend's room scheme from remnants of fabric.