The holidays are a time to show people what they mean to you — something that can’t be done with fun socks or a holiday-scented candle. When picking out just the right gift, there are five main things to consider when getting on top of your shopping:

Nothing shows you care more than time spent creating something for someone you care about. Bracelets, clothing, drawings, paintings or something else entirely can show dedication and understanding of a special someone.

Trinkets and toys are great, but often they get left sitting on shelves for months, if not years, before getting thrown in a memory box. Gifting something that will be used on the regular, whether it’s jewelry, items for a craft, project or something else practical, like tools or utensils, they’ll be sure to think of you every time they use it.

Shared times, favorite activities and inside jokes: any of these can be turned into a special gift. A playlist of songs that remind you of them, a photo gallery or scrapbook of polaroids and artwork, a past laugh turned present. This gesture will be sure to have an impact and create another lasting memory for the two of you.

Do they want something out of your price range? Instead of picking something entirely different, throw in some cash or a gift card with one or two smaller gifts. That way, you still see the light in their eyes when they receive something physical from you, but they also get closer to something they really want.

Last but not least, do something silly that will make the two of you laugh. Whether it’s starting a fun tradition or referencing an inside joke, laughter can lighten the load of a heavy, sentimental gift.

In the end, what you give them isn’t the most important thing, it’s the thought and care that you put into it. They won’t just see a present in front of them; they’ll see a measure of your relationship, and the holidays are the perfect time to reaffirm how much their relationship means to you.