LOS ANGELES, Dec 29, 2006/ FW/ --- Christmas might be over but a lot of people have not chosen their gifts yet because they received gift cards for Christmas.

According to the National Retail Federation, overall sales of gift cards during the holiday season is expected to reach $24.8 billion, up $6 billion from last year.

The growing popularity of gift cards is not about gift givers lacking imagination, but rather focusing on what their friends and family really want and need. A gift card is the answer, wherein it can be redeemed at their favorite stores.

"Many shoppers will use their gift cards to purchase the big-ticket electronic items they wanted to find under the tree, such as video game consoles and HDTVs,” predicted Steve Bratspies, Wal-Mart's vice president of marketing.

With more than 127 million customers visiting Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America every week, Bratspies’ prediction holds water.

“Another group of gift card recipients will use their cards on practical items that they need, such as food and the latest CDs to make their New Year's celebrations complete,” added Bratspies.

Gift cards purchased during the holiday season are most heavily redeemed in the first weeks after Christmas, which means Americans will enjoy shopping for their own gifts into the new year.