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

Seattle, December 21, 2009 —According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, the average consumer has completed less than half (46%) of their holiday shopping by mid-December and about 20 percent of holiday shoppers 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.

A gift given from the World Vision Gift Catalog significantly improves the life of a child or family in need by providing opportunities to overcome extreme poverty while at the same time 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
• Four soccer balls - $32
• Five ducks - $30
• School supplies for low-income classrooms in the U.S. - $25

Devin Hermanson, Senior Director for World Vision's Gift Catalog is seeing a return to meaningful giving this year through the Gift Catalog.

"The holiday season can be a stressful time of year, especially if you are a last-minute shopper. There are gifts to purchase and wrap, cookies to bake, and family to visit, but let's remember our friends and neighbors in need," Hermanson said. "This year, give a gift and change a life through the World Vision Gift Catalog."

To order, visit http://www.worldvisiongifts.org or call toll-free 1 (888) 511-6511. All items are tax-deductible.

Note: You can follow the World Vision Gift Catalog online through Facebook, Twitter, the campaign website, and YouTube

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, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.