Santa and elves demonstrate against bad gifts

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - In solidarity with everyone who has received a tacky pair of socks, and ugly tie or a trinket that did nothing more than gather dust, Santa and his elves were in Toronto to protest meaningless gifts.

As toy production is ahead of schedule, the world's leading gift expert, Santa, urged elves to stop work for one day to remind Canadians that even though time is tight, it's still possible to buy gifts that will matter to the receivers, such as items from the World Vision Gift Catalogue.

The last two weeks of the holiday season see more disappointing gifts purchased than any other time of the year, as well-meaning gift givers rush to check off names from their gift list.

"We thought it was important to come south to remind people that we know how hard it can be to find a meaningful last-minute gift," says Santa Claus. "But they can rest assured that a thoughtful gift can be found in the World Vision Gift Catalogue—something that will speak to the causes closest to your gift receiver's heart and change lives."

The elves had a lot of fun at the protest; dancing, juggling and carrying signs such as "Give Good Gifts!" and "Ho, Ho, Ho, bad gifts have got to go!" "Remember to put some thought into your gifts this month," says one of Santa's elves. "No one wants to give a present that will just sit on a shelf or get re-gifted. For action-packed gifts that will change lives, go to worldvision.ca/gifts."

After the protest, Santa and the elves returned to the North Pole.

World Vision is a leading Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, we are dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Video with caption: "Video: Santa and elves demonstrate against bad gifts". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20111215_C6934_VIDEO_EN_8266.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20111215_C6934_PHOTO_EN_8266.jpg&clientName=World%20Vision%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Santa%20and%20elves%20demonstrate%20against%20bad%20gifts&title=WORLD%20VISION%20CANADA%20%2D%20Santa%20and%20elves%20demonstrate%20against%20bad%20gifts&headline=Santa%20and%20elves%20demonstrate%20against%20bad%20gifts

Image with caption: "The world's leading gift expert, Santa, and his elves came south to hold a demonstration, reminding Canadians that even though Christmas is near, it's still possible to buy thoughtful gifts, such as items from the World Vision Gift Catalogue. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111215_C6934_PHOTO_EN_8259.jpg

Image with caption: "Santa's elves came south to hold a demonstration, reminding Canadians that even though Christmas is near, it's still possible to buy thoughtful gifts, such as items from the World Vision Gift Catalogue. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111215_C6934_PHOTO_EN_8258.jpg

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