Canadians prefer to receive money over other gifts, according to PayPal
Canada survey

Charity gift cards and money provide great last-minute gift options

TORONTO, Dec. 14 /CNW/ - Money is the new thoughtful gift. According to a recent survey conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of PayPal Canada, the majority of Canadians (55 per cent) would appreciate receiving money over other gifts this holiday season.

The results, up seven points since 2009, reveal a shift in the traditionally held view that money is a more impersonal and less appropriate gift item. Only 15 per cent of Canadians say that they would be offended if someone gave them money as a gift.

"Sending money can be the perfect solution for family and friends who live out of town, for those who prefer the flexibility of cash and for last-minute presents," said Nicky Mezo, head of marketing, PayPal Canada. "PayPal Canada also offers users the choice of sending money with a festive e-card on our holiday website, paypal.ca/escapethemall."  

Also just in time for last-minute holiday shopping, PayPal Canada has joined forces with CanadaHelps.org, a website representing 83,000 Canadian nonprofit organizations. CanadaHelps.org offers a unique gift option to Canadians, allowing them to purchase and give a Charity Gift Card. Recipients of a CanadaHelps Charity Gift Card can choose to donate their gift to any of the organizations listed on the site, making the donation more personal and meaningful to them.

The gift of philanthropy is ideal for the person who has everything, a meaningful gift for children or for coworkers and Charity Gift Cards also make perfect stocking stuffers. CanadaHelps.org provides a choice of four holiday-themed charity gift cards in almost any denomination and can be sent as either an email notification or can be printed and given to the recipient in person.

About CanadaHelps
CanadaHelps.org is a donation website that allows donors to give safely and securely to any Canadian charities. A registered charity and public foundation itself, CanadaHelps has facilitated over $150 million in donations to Canadian charities online since it launched in 2000. The mission of CanadaHelps is to engage Canadians in the charitable sector and provide accessible and affordable online technology to both donors and charities to promote - and ultimately increase - charitable giving in Canada.

About PayPal
PayPal is the faster, safer way to pay and get paid online. The service allows members to send money without sharing financial information, with the flexibility to pay using their account balances, bank accounts or credit cards. With more than 90 million active accounts in 190 markets and 24 currencies around the globe, PayPal enables global ecommerce. PayPal is an eBay company. The company's open payment platform, PayPal X, allows developers to build innovative payment applications on multiple platforms and devices. More information about the company can be found at http://www.PayPal.ca

For further information:

Kieran Lawler / Scott Taber
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416-342-1823 / 416-342-1840
[email protected] / [email protected]