By JANE SCHMITT

It's a different year, that's for sure.

Many consumers will be cutting back on holiday spending, according to the National Retail Federation.

Are you in that group?

Don't fret. There are still bargains out there for people on your gift-giving list - good stuff, fun stuff, cool stuff.

We found that and more in area stores, in catalogs and online. After all, isn't that how you plan to shop this year?

Check it out, but first, check out what the retail federation has to say about the 2008 holiday season in its Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey:

• Gift cards will be the most-requested Christmas gift.

• Forty percent of U.S. consumers began holiday shopping before Halloween; 38.6 percent waited until November to get things going.

• Holiday sales this year are estimated to total $470.4 billion, down from last year's figure of $474 billion.

• Average spending for holiday-related shopping, including gifts, food, decorations, cards/postage and flowers? $832.36.

Happy holidays!

Every time we see the ad for this, we clip it because we think it would be a unique gift to give or receive, especially for $59: Discovery Flight Lesson, offered by BRP Aviation at the Niagara Falls airport. Includes a beginner's-level lesson in a Cessna 150 (like the one pictured above), a pilot log book and a six-month subscription to Flight Training magazine. As the ad says, "Wrap up Christmas early" with "the most exciting gift under the tree." For more information, call 491-3320 or visit FlytheFalls.com.

"Try a little tenderness!" says Omaha Steaks, the well-known distributor of premium beef, seafood and other foods. If you have ever been on the receiving end of one of the Nebraska-based company's gift packs, you know why these are described as "world-famous, aged to perfection, flash-frozen at the peak of flavor." This family company offers a collection of filet mignon, strip steak, sirloin and T-bones, as well as veal, pork and lamb. "Finding just the right gift is easy when you shop Omaha Steaks Gift Center," the Web site says. "You'll find tasteful gifts that are perfect for any occasion and there's something for everyone." Sounds good to us!

Call 800-228-9055 or visit omahasteaks.com.

It's pure delight when the Harry & David catalog arrives in the mail, chock-full of color photos of tantalizing fruit, chocolate, cheesecake, nuts, cookies, smoked salmon, prime rib and spiral-sliced ham, as well as Christmas Crimson Amaryllis blooms in lovely planters (above). "Holiday traditions in the very best of taste," the catalog says, and we tend to agree. It lists more than 100 gifts under $50; backs them up with a 100 percent guarantee; and says it is now offering lower delivery and processing costs on most orders. New this year: wine gift baskets.

Call 800-547-3033 or visit harryanddavid.com.

This year we came across something new: the gift catalog of the World Wildlife Fund, which urges consumers to support conservation through "gift adoptions" of 91 species of animals, including snow leopard, horned puffin, giant tortoise, red-eyed tree frog, wild Mongolian horse, whale shark and the Emperor penguin. "Here's a great way to share your love of wildlife at this special time of year and perhaps inspire a new conservation advocate," President and CEO Carter Roberts tells readers. "Adopt an animal and make a difference," the catalog adds.

The symbolic adoptions range in price from $25 to $250 and include an adoption certificate, color photo and species fact sheet. The World Wildlife Fund even offers gift cards so friends and family can choose what animal to adopt.

Call 800-225-5993 or visit worldwildlife.org/gifts.

JCPenney's Christmas Gift Book for 2008 offers the "Joy of Giving Guide," and you'll eat it up for the myriad ideas it has for everyone on your list this year. Some things we liked:

The bronze-screen Etch A Sketch in a collector's tin celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ohio Art Co., $29.99.

The Marshmallow Blaster ($19.99, above), which uses air pressure to blast the sweet treat up to 40 feet. (Why, we don't know, but doesn't this sound like something you'd like to give a whirl?)

The Inspirational Necklace ($19.99), in platinum over sterling silver on an 18-inch chain, is available in encouraging words such as "Faith," "Hope" and "Believe."

NFL Art Glass Frame ($19.99) holds a 4-by-6-inch photo and is available in all 32 teams. There's also the NFL Art Glass Nightlight ($19.99).

Now here's something amusing to give or get: the Flying Alarm Clock ($19.99). According to Penney's, this digital alarm releases a lightweight propeller that careens around the room until sleepyhead gets up and grabs it to return it to the base. Unique, functional, annoying ... we like this concept!

More for football fanatics: NFL Personalized Photo ($46.99). This 13-by-16-inch photo comes ready to hang and shows the backs of four football jerseys from your favorite team - with your fan's name on one along with those of three of the team's top players.

Totes Monogrammed Mini Umbrella ($20) comes in bright pink and folds to fit into your purse.

How about this for something different: the electric Peanut Butter Maker ($39.99, right) lets you make your own right at home. Add raw peanuts, turn on the machine and fresh product is at your fingertips. Uses all types of nuts, by the way. Also available: Rival's 5-quart Old-fashioned Ice Cream Maker ($59.99) and the Cotton Candy Machine ($49.99), which is modeled after antique candy carts.

Call 800-222-6161 or visit jcp.com.

What we liked at Talbots in Williamsville: just about everything, including the sparkly black or pearl Jeweled Brooches in flower swirl ($99), floral ($59) and pave flower ($59). Call 800-talbots or visit talbots.com.

At Target, we saw something for everyone, from babies to seniors. Bet you will, too. A recent circular boasted, "Our lowest holiday prices," and it wasn't even December yet. Check out: Classic Home microfiber tablecloths, priced at $17; the sleek-looking Emerson 12-bottle wine cooler with adjustable temperature control, $75; and Fire Bowls ($55, below) from the store's Garden Place department in a square, tile-top stainless-steel design or round style.

Also, SpeedPac's adjustable-weight set ($59), with a single 25-pound or two-pack of 12.5 pound weights; and AT&T prepaid phone cards that allow users to make state-to-state calls at less than 3 cents a minute. See target.com.

Sherpa Fleece Jackets from Land's End (above) provide cozy warmth for $39.50 and up. We think fleece anything makes a perfect gift anyway, and these come in a rainbow of colors in zip and half-zip styles for men and women. In the catalog, we also spotted this colorful item: the new Rainshop Tote ($39.50) in a snazzy spice-brown argyle pattern on 100 percent cotton canvas. Solid-color totes start at $17 and are handy for everything from groceries to kids' stuff and for travelers, too.

Call 800-800-5800 or visit landsend.com.

If you ask us, one of the best gift centers around is your neighborhood CVS store. This time of year, the stores are loaded up with bargain-priced merchandise for all. Check out the "As Seen on TV" departments, where you'll find such things as ShamWow!, SteamBuddy (above), Pancake Puff, Sonic Scrubber and the Classic Pen Set, all priced at $19.99.

There's a reason we plug the following two things year after year: They make great gifts.

1) Bean's Balsam Gifts (wreaths, tabletop trees and centerpieces) are traditional, handcrafted and fragrant. Need we say more? How about this? The holiday catalogs are offering free shipping on all purchases. The fresh greenery is delivered in a timely fashion for the holidays, and prices range from $39.95 to $79.95. Visit llbean.com.

2) AAA Membership promises to save you time, money and worries. AAA of Western and Central New York offers three packages: Basic, Plus and Premier at varying prices. Inquire about special holiday promotions and you may save even more. Call 800-836-CLUB or click on aaa.com.

Jane Schmitt is a freelance writer.