Mother's Day Gift Giving Guide -- World Vision’s Gift Catalog Meaningful Gifts - Different Way to Honor Mom (Review and Giveaway)

New Survey Key Findings:

• Honesty most important lesson Americans learned from Mom
• Yet you can’t always trust your mom’s reaction on Mother’s Day

With more than $16.3 billion expected to be spent on Mother’s Day* this year, a new study reveals almost one third of moms in America (31 percent) say they often pretend to like the Mother’s Day gifts they typically receive from their family. According to the study commissioned by international Christian charity World Vision and conducted on-line by Harris Interactive, nearly 2 in 3 US. moms (64 percent) say they would prefer to receive a meaningful gift that would help someone else instead of a traditional Mother’s Day gift such as flowers or a card. The survey also found most adults who have a mother or mother figure (58 percent) would like to honor mom with a gift empowering to other mothers.

World Vision's 2012 Spring/Summer Gift Catalog.is full of meaningful gifts. “This survey shows what moms really want,” says Traci Coker, World Vision-US Gift Catalog senior director. “With all the money spent on Mother’s Day gifts we want those gifts to have impact.”

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog raised more than $32 million providing help to more than 800,000 worldwide. This year’s goal: $34 million. World Vision launched the Gift Catalog in 1996. Since then it’s raised over $162 million dollars. A goat ($75) is World Vision’s number one seller, but there are more than 100 gifts (many under $35) to choose from.

World Vision’s Gift Catalog offers several gifts that bring hope and aid to those in need. Mom’s can help other Moms this year with gifts such as a bicycle to protect a young girl, a sewing machine to lift a mother out of poverty, and job training to support a young girl’s education. Parents can also be honored with Maximum Impact Fund gifts such as beautiful turquoise Thai jewelry, or a delicious Fair Trade Coffee set.

·         Fair-Trade Coffee Set: For a cash donation of $50, the gift giver will receive a Fair-Trade Coffee Set which includes coffee from Ethiopia, Sumatra, and Costa Rica blended by OneCup.org delivered in a bag of African fabric hand-sewn by local women. It is accompanied by a hand-carved olivewood scoop made to benefit over 200 orphans of the Kamba tribe. The cash donation goes to a fund that helps meet urgent needs of children and families.

·         Gertie the Plush Toy Goat: Gertie the Plush Goat is available exclusively through World Vision and is a representation of the goats that help children and families around the world.

·         Artisan Multicolored Necklace: Help where it's needed most ... AND get a gift for yourself or someone you care about! With your gift of $100 or more to our Maximum Impact Fund — which provides for the unique needs of children and families worldwide — you will receive this artisan multi-colored necklace. Fight human trafficking through this beautiful semi-precious stone and glass bead necklace. Wear this unique, colorful strand long or short, as a bracelet or even a belt.

The best part about these gifts is that they are self-sustainable. Animals given to communities in Africa are purchased in Africa. The gifts grow and multiply to share with neighbors and ultimately make a better life for the whole village. This allows transformational community development within the most poverty-stricken villages.

Since the Gift Catalog was introduced in 1996, its popularity as a gift-giving medium has grown with more than $32 million in purchases made last year. World Vision hopes to reach $34 million this year. After purchasing a Gift Catalog item, the person whose name the gift was given in receives a special card describing the gift and its impact.

 My Thoughts:

I was sent the Artisan Multicolored Necklace to review, and absolutely love it! This unique necklace, filled with colorful stones and beads, came in a see-through sachet bag, which screamed "open and wear me!"  Even though I have only had this necklace for a few days, I have enjoyed wearing it as a necklace, as well as a wrap-around bracelet.  I especially love the two heart stones that adorn the necklace.  When I wear it and look down and see these two hearts, it makes me think of my girls and how much they mean to me.  It is like I am wearing their hearts close to me. :-)  

Before this review, I was not aware of World Vision and how this Christian humanitarian organization works to improve the lives of children and families all across the globe.  I was amazed to learn that they received $32 million in purchases last year, which shows that people like giving to organizations like World Vision.  And, with Mother's Day this upcoming weekend, why not make a purchase from the World Vision's Gift Catalog, and not only receive a gift like the necklace I was sent, a coffee set, or plush toy, as a way to thank you for your cash donation.  You can make a cash donation and give your mom's name.  Then, she will be notified that a donation was made on her behalf.  How great is that?  This is truly a gift that your mother will enjoy receiving, as she will know her gifted donation will help others in need.

So, what are you waiting for, click here to visit the World Vision Gift Catalog site now, and make a cash donation that will help to make the lives of those suffering or in need a little bit better this Mother's Day.

---BUY NOW---

Click here to order directly from the World Vision's Gift Catalog site, or you can order by calling their toll-free number 888-511-6511.

---GIVEAWAY---

One lucky reader will win an Artisan Multicolored Necklace (the same one I reviewed, and which is valued at $100.00), thanks to the folks at World Vision.  To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Harris Interactive poll:
The poll was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, between April 13 and 17, 2012 among 2,199 U.S. adults ages 18+. For complete methodology, including weighing variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact John Yeager. 

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews

Disclosure:  I was sent a sample from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.