After three years of unemployment, sub employment and housing crisis, millions of people have seen their purchasing power pulverize and this border community is no exception.

With most of everyone’s income going to pay the bills or debts, this Holiday season might be perceived as a sad time, but Tijuana-San Diego is full of vibrant resilient people who have come up with creative answers to the financial crisis and are now remembering what “it is all about”: sharing and love.

Usually large Tijuana families are making a pact to have a gift exchange instead of having to give gifts to everybody and more and more people are now thinking about giving homemade jams, cookies, chocolates and cakes that require some time to make, but not too much money.

Even my own family is doing this, after a discussion regarding “who needs another sweater?” we opted for a family trip to the Baja Peninsula to go whale watching in February, when money is a little less tight.

If you believe “I’m just not crafty” and cooking is just not your thing, this weekend there’s at least three opportunities for you to buy original, inexpensive gifts: The first one is at Chandelier Boutique (11thStreet between Quintana Roo and Pío Pico. Nextel 152*15*40767).

The owner does an excellent job of choosing the best vintage clothing and accessories, along with local designers who showcase their creations, including knits and original dolls by FAWA.

Because of the holidays, Chandelier will be open until 8 p.m.

Another great opportunity will be happening at Le Container, – a cool restaurant built with shipping containers—where the Arts & Trees bazaar will be held. Here you will enjoy creations of over 16 local artists who sell clothes, accessories, furniture, and art pieces at affordable prices.

Le Container is right in the middle of Zona Rio, by the Cultural Center and the famous Gandhi bookstore, the artists set up a little flea market ambience and local djs will be playing sets throughout the day.

If you are feeling adventurous and enjoy wine, Pasaje Rodriguez (Revolution Street and third Street by the Caliente Book), has many options of you, including baja republika, a small wine and art shop owned by local artist Efren Parra, who offers his pieces at great discounts.

He is having a wine tasting this weekend focusing on nebbiolo, tempranillo and caber-net, all local creations available for purchase for an elegant gift that won’t make your wallet hurt.

In San Diego there are many options for creative and inexpensive gifts you might find at the many local markets. To find one near you visit http://www.sdfarmbureau.org, where you can see there are local farmers markets going on every day of the week.

There you can engulf yourself in the colors and smells of freshly picked food, venture to taste food you never tasted before and buy some of the processed foods most farmers offer; cheese, spreads, sauces and pickles ready to be wrap-ped for those you love and help the local economy as well.

In Chula Vista, Tuesdays are the day to visit either the Otay Ranch market (2015 Birch Rd and Eastlake Blvd Chula Vista, California 91915) after four o’clock or the Coronado Market (1st & B. – Ferry Landing Coronado, California 92118) after two.

If it fits your schedule better, you can always plan to go to the City Heights Market on Saturdays (On Wightman St. between Fairmount and 43rd St. San Diego, California 92125) they even offer to take debit and credit cards for your purchases.