Thousands of people will wake up to a rather unusual gift this Christmas, after it emerged that 25% of Brits are considering giving loved ones a stock certificate this festive season.
A survey of 2,000 adults by Lloyds TSB shows that many people believe now to be a great time for buying shares given that prices are at their lowest for nearly a decade, and feel that anyone owning them is sure to benefit when the market recovers.
Asked why they are considering purchasing a stock certificate as a gift, half of the respondents cite value for money, while the other half simply like the idea of giving something unusual.
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Willing to spend extra
For those who are purely interested in the monetary value of a gift, getting a share for Christmas may actually prove a welcome gift.
While the average Christmas present costs somewhere between £10 and £20, the Lloyds TSB research shows that over a third of respondents are willing to spend more on a stock market investment if they believe it will make a friend or family member more money in the long run.
And though it certainly isn’t the most sentimental of gifts, chances are it may actually be well received, with almost half (46%) of respondents reporting that they’d like to find a stock certificate in their own Christmas stockings.
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Socks and shares
"Many of us struggle for inspiration when it comes to buying Christmas presents and often resort to trusty gloves, slippers or socks,” says Lloyds TSB marketing and investments director Prabal Gupta. “
For more adventurous Christmas shoppers, giving stocks and shares could be an unusual alternative. An investment in someone's favourite football team or brand is sure to be a welcome surprise on Christmas morning.”
"With the value of many stocks and shares having fallen in recent months, some people will be wary of stock market investments. However, for gift givers with nerves of steel, a well researched punt today could be the best value gift they have ever given.”
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