Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Forget Cash! 5 Investment Gift Ideas for Christmas 2024
Ruby Layram
28th Nov 2024
The holidays are around the corner, and let’s face it, cash as a gift is starting to feel a little…boring, isn’t it?
Don’t get me wrong, cash is handy, but it doesn’t always leave a lasting impression. That’s why I think giving investments as gifts is such a brilliant idea. Not only are you giving something meaningful, but it’s also a way of setting up a loved one for financial success.
Whether it’s helping a loved one start their savings journey, giving them a taste of owning gold, or even sparking an interest in the stock market, these ideas are a great alternative to traditional cash gifts. Here are 5 investment gift ideas to consider this Christmas.
1. Gold Coins
Gold coins are the perfect blend of sentiment and value. Plus, they are a type of investment that you can actually hold and look at which means that you can gift them physically on Christmas day.
While most gifts depreciate in value the moment they’re unwrapped, gold tends to appreciate (or at least hold steady) over time. It’s often called a “safe haven asset,” protecting wealth during economic uncertainty.
Read more about assets that hedge against inflation.
Furthermore, certain gold coins, like Gold Sovereigns and Britannias, are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. This means that if the recipient decides to sell the coin down the line, they won’t have to pay tax on any profits.
Buying Gold coins is relatively straightforward. I recommend using a reputable dealer, such as The Bullion Club. Using a trusted seller gives you peace-of-mind that the gold coins you are buying are legit.
Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than spending money on something that turns out to be a dud!
Start by choosing the right type of gold coin. In the UK, Gold Sovereigns and Gold Britannias are particularly popular. If you’re looking for something extra special, you could look at collectable coins like the 2025 Britannia Coin, which comes beautifully boxed and ready to gift
When gifting, presentation matters. Many retailers offer gold coins in gift boxes or cases, which adds a touch of elegance. For example, Bullion By Post offers gold coins in stylish packaging tailored for Christmas, making them perfect for slipping under the tree.
2. Stocks
Did you know that you can buy stocks as a gift? This is probably one of the most overlooked investment gift ideas that is a great way to help you loved one get into investing.
Stocks make a great gift for anyone, especially young people who may not have dipped their toes into investing yet. The idea of owning part of a brand they love (hello, Apple or Disney!) can be both exciting and educational.
To gift stocks in the UK, platforms like Hargreaves Lansdown or interactive investor are good options to consider. You can set up a nominee account in their name and buy shares directly. If you’re gifting stocks to a child, consider opening a Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, which allows investments to grow tax-free until they turn 18.
You can also gift stocks by buying them under your name and then completing a stock transfer form (called a J30 form) to transfer them into the ownership of a loved one.
Investing in stocks can be risky! Make sure to conduct thorough stock market research and choose stocks that have robust fundamentals. ETFs are a good way to minimize risk through diversification.
Take a look at 3 promising small-cap ETFs here.
3. Bonds
Bonds are the ultimate “safe and steady” investment gift. If you want to give something that combines stability with a bit of a return, bonds are a fantastic choice.
In the UK, Premium Bonds are particularly popular. These are issued by National Savings and Investments (NS&I) and come with the chance to win tax-free prizes in monthly draws.
You can purchase Premium Bonds online and have them delivered as a gift, complete with a personalised message. The best part? The recipient can keep them for as long as they like, potentially winning prizes each month. It’s like a lottery ticket that doesn’t lose value.
Alternatively, you could gift corporate or government bonds through platforms like AJ Bell. While these don’t come with a prize draw, they do offer steady interest payments, which could be ideal for someone looking for a reliable income stream.
4. Cryptocurrency
This one is for readers who don’t mind a bit of risk! Love it or hate it, cryptocurrency is here to stay, and gifting it is definitely a conversation starter.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, or even a fun meme coin could be a unique way to introduce someone to the world of digital assets.
Gifting crypto in the UK is relatively straightforward. Platforms like Coinbase and Binance allow you to purchase and send crypto directly to someone else’s wallet. If the recipient doesn’t have a wallet yet, you could help them set up a beginner-friendly one like Exodus or Ledger Nano S.
Alternatively, you could set up a wallet yourself and give your loved one access to the private keys (make sure not to give this information to anyone other than the person you are gifting to!).
Remember, cryptocurrency can be very volatile and prices can rise and fall extremely quickly. Although these assets come with a lot of room for growth, they also come with a lot of barriers!
Before you jump in, check out our guide on getting started in crypto.
5. Junior ISAs
If you’re thinking about a gift for a child, a Junior ISA is a wonderful way to set them on the path to financial independence.
These tax-free savings accounts are designed for under-18s and can hold cash or stocks and shares.
You can contribute up to £9,000 per year (2024/25 limit) into a Junior ISA, making it a gift that grows over time. Platforms like Fidelity and Nutmeg make it easy to set up or contribute to an existing Junior ISA.
It’s probably wise to discuss your plans with the child’s parents first to ensure it aligns with their savings goals.
Giving investments as gifts is unique and incredibly thoughtful. Whether you’re introducing someone to the world of gold, stocks, or crypto, or helping a child save for their future with a Junior ISA, these gifts show that you’re thinking long-term. They’re practical, personal, and have the potential to get more valuable over time.
Are you interested in learning more about investing? Why not sign up to the MoneyMagpie bi-weekly Investing Newsletter? It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time if you find it isn’t for you.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. When investing your capital is at risk.
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