As store merchants tally up holiday sales this week, the National Retail Federation (NRF) still is predicting a 4.5% gain this year in November and December sales.

"The holiday season will be told on how many gift cards get redeemed in the week after Christmas" versus how many will be redeemed in January and February, Ellen Tolley, a spokeswoman for NRF, told the Associated Press. The NRF estimated $17.2 billion worth, or roughly about 8%, of holiday sales will be sold in gift cards this season.

Karen Maurer, owner of three Heaven's Depot Music & Books in Montgomery, Ala., said gift cards would not affect sales at the Christian bookstores. Only about 20 gift cards were issued from the stores, she said.

However, Maurer does predict a better holiday season than in 2003 but said the shopping was not as good as in years past.

“We did better than last year, but last year was really superbad,” Maurer said, attributing the 2004 boost to a stronger economy and prayers. “It was still about a third of what we have done in the past - about four years ago.”

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