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

SEATTLE, Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the "post-Thanksgiving lull" continues and retail sales for December appear to be stalled, holiday shoppers are going online to donate more money to charities. World Vision, the Christian relief and development organization, saw online donations to its popular Gift Catalog jump ten percent compared to this time last year. In 2010, the Gift Catalog raised more than $32 million in total. This year's goal is $34 million.

According to a recent survey commissioned by World Vision, about 7 in 10 (71%) Americans report that they'll spend less on holiday presents this year because of the current economic climate. But last-minute holiday shoppers want those dollars to mean more, because about half (51%) say they're now more likely to give a charitable gift (like those found in World Vision's Gift Catalog) as a holiday present this year. This is the fourth year World Vision has conducted a holiday gift giving study with Harris Interactive. This number has remained nearly the same three out of the last four years (51% in 2011, 51% in 2010, 38% in 2009 and 49% in 2008).

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:

• Two chickens - $25
• Two soccer balls - $16
• Five ducks - $30
• School supplies for low-income classrooms in the U.S. - $25

LAST MINUTE GIFT CATALOG FACTS:

1. The 2011 season marks the 16th annual edition of the World Vision Gift Catalog.
2. The Gift Catalog started in 1996.
3. More than 250 poverty-fighting gifts are available online and in the print catalog ranging in price from $16 to $39,000.
4. Chickens and goats continue to be the most popular gift selections. Last year, more than 182,000 chickens and more than 80,000 goats were purchased.
5. World Vision provides hope and assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries. The World Vision Gift Catalog is one of many programs designed to help eradicate poverty around the world.

This poll was conducted by telephone within the United States and Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, Inc. between October 26 and October 30, 2011 among 1,007 U.S. adults ages 18+ and between October 27 and October 31, 2011 among 1,021 Canadian adults 18+. (for complete methodology contact John Yeager [email protected]).

SOURCE World Vision