Gifting is hard. I’m usually pretty good when it comes to picking something out at the store, but I’ve never been that crafty person that can make something cute (er, presentable) enough to give to someone else. And I’ve always been jealous of people who can Martha Stewart the shit out of a gift. Lately I’ve just settled on bottles of alcohol for my parents and friends for every single occasion…because let’s be honest, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

I went to a birthday party this past weekend, and knowing my friend’s love for Jack Daniels, I assumed I wouldn’t be the only one to buy her a bottle. At around $30 for a bottle, factor in a fancy gift bag, tissue paper and a nice card, then you’re looking at about $40 for a solid gift. Solid, because it’s useful and considerate… but it’s not all that creative. Don’t your friends deserve more?

Yes, they do! So, what’s the best way to show love to a good friend? A mini-bottle bouquet! It’s easy, it’s thoughtful, and it can be done for less than $40. After consulting a few Pintrest articles, I took a trip to the liquor store and Michaels craft store to find everything I needed.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Mini bottles of your liquor of choice (a 10-pack of Jack Daniels was $17.50 at my local liquor store)
• Clay pot ($2.99)
• Styrofoam for bottom of pot ($0.99)
• Wood dowels ($2.99)
• Paper crinkle ($1.99)
• Ribbon ($0.99–2.99)
• Other decorations (I used paper mache flowers for $3.99)
• Paint pens, glitter, markers, etc. (Whatever is lying around your house)
• Hot glue gun (borrowed from my mom)
• Scissors/wire cutters (to size the wooden sticks–borrowed wire cutters from my dad because it was easier)

Total cost to me: around $32

And here’s how to do it:

• Hot glue the mini bottles and the paper flowers to sticks, set aside to dry
• Decorate your pot — with ribbon, paint, glitter, whatever. I kept mine simple and just wrapped ribbon around it and tied a bow.
• Put the styrofoam in the bottom of the pot
• Size the sticks so that the bottles and other decorations vary in height, then shove ’em into the styrofoam
• Fill the bottom with paper crinkle

And voilà! So cute, and so simple to do, especially for the craft-challenged like myself. It was a complete hit at the party and it’s one of those gifts you can customize for whomever you’re giving it to. If your friend is cool enough, they’ll probably share the shots with you all night too.

So, the next time you think about taking the easy way out, think about how little effort you’ll have to put in to look like the coolest/most creative friend ever. You’re welcome.