Less Than One Week Until Christmas: Many Affordable, Meaningful Gift Ideas Still Available for Last-Minute Shoppers

SEATTLE, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, the average American has completed less than half (49.5%) of their holiday shopping by mid-December and about 37 million Americans (16.9%) have not even started their shopping yet.

Leaving your holiday to-do list until the last-minute can be frustrating, but it doesn't mean affordable, meaningful gifts aren't still within reach. And according to a recent World Vision survey (conducted via telephone in November 2010 by Harris Interactive), Americans are more likely to report having ever given (72%) or received (42%) a charitable gift – that is, a charitable donation made on someone else's behalf as a present – than they were in 2009 (55% given, 28% received).  

A charitable gift given from the World Vision Gift Catalog improves the life of a child or family in need by providing opportunities to overcome extreme poverty while honoring friends and loved ones. Gifts are purchased in the name of a friend or loved one, and a card is sent to those individuals describing the gifts and their impact. Shopping can be done from the comfort of your own home, and it's a great alternative to the crowded malls this week. There are more than 100 gifts in the Catalog (many under $35) including:

Devin Hermanson, Senior Director for World Vision's Gift Catalog is seeing a return to meaningful giving this year through World Vision's Gift Catalog. "The holidays can be a stressful, especially if you are a last-minute shopper," Hermanson said. "This year, give a charitable gift and change a life."

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog raised $27 million providing assistance to 675,000 people worldwide. This year's projected goal: $32 million. World Vision launched the Gift Catalog in 1996. Since then it's raised over $130 million dollars. And while a goat ($75) may be World Vision's number one seller, there are more than 100 gifts (many under $35) to choose from.

The poll was conducted by telephone within the U.S. and Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, among 1,021 U.S. adults (ages 18 +)  and 1,042 Canadian adults (ages 18+) between Nov 3 - Nov 7, 2010. For complete methodology, including weighing variables – please contact John Yeager.

About World Vision: World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world's poor, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

SOURCE World Vision