Gift giving this holiday season

As we enjoy this Thanksgiving day and Black Friday looms on the horizon, many people are gearing up to engage in the busiest shopping season of the year. Hours spent online or running from store to store, searching for a parking spot, enduring long lines, comparing prices, looking for the perfect gift.

According to the National Retail Federation's 2010 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, "U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $688.87 on holiday-related shopping... NRF continues to expect holiday sales to rise 2.3 percent to $447.1 billion."

If the online shopping forecast from ComSource becomes a reality, "total online holiday spending will reach $32.4 billion this year, up 11% from last year's $29.1 billion... Online spending totals are already surpassing those of 2007—before the recession— which leads (us) to believe that this season will see record sales."

Commercialism is alive and well around the world. But maybe you are searching for something more meaningful, a gift that keeps on giving.

This year, The Red Thread Promise challenges all of our family, fans and friends to "Change your gift giving and transform your heart".

Please take a moment to read our latest appeal and consider including The Red Thread Promise in your gift giving this holiday season. (Double-click on the image to enlarge.)