Today’s economy is less about extravagant spending and more about making budget-conscious decisions. Finding unique gifts at affordable prices is possible with a little effort.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides tips for how to make your shopping experience more enjoyable and help you find the perfect gift.

* Make a List. Create a list of all the gifting occasions for the year. You should include who you are looking for gifts and how much. Include your family members, as well as neighbors and coworkers.

* Shop Smart. Only select a few retailers that offer a range of gift categories and prices. Shopping online is easy with your busy schedule.

* Little Luxuries. To pamper someone on your gift list, you don’t need to spend a lot of money at a spa. A few small soaps and fragrances can be purchased, or you can combine a few to make a spa gift hamper.

* Food Items. You need a gift idea for hostesses or hostesses? Give a gift card or packaged food item the recipient can share with others.

* Extra, Extra! Seek out “extras”You can add personal touches without spending a lot by getting free shipping or gift wrapping

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store sells a variety gifts at great prices, including its newly launched collection of “Great Gifts.”This collection includes unique merchandise in a variety of categories including toys, media and Cracker-branded foods like popcorn. There are also gift packs with candles and scents. Cracker Barrel also offers a variety of popular food items, such as pancake and corn muffin mix, coffee, jam jars, and its famous fried apples. You can combine these items to create custom gift baskets.

Deb Evans, vice-president of merchandising at Cracker Barrel, says “We work hard to provide outstanding service through such things as free gift-wrapping and shopping consultations. Our retail staff can provide good advice that creates a compelling value for shoppers.”