WASHINGTON — Some people are impossible to buy gifts for. But if you have even a general idea of their likes or interests, the gift of stocks might do the trick.
A service provided by Giveashare.com is an example of two new ways it’s easier than ever to stuff stockings with stocks. Giveashare sells framed stock certificates with personalized plaques.
“And remember, a lot of these are works of art,” says Barry Glassman of Glassman Wealth Services. “You can buy just one share. There are dozens and dozens of companies (to choose from). For example, Ferrari just went public recently.”
The gift recipient becomes a real registered shareholder in the company receiving dividends if applicable, annual reports and invitations to shareholder meetings.
Starting at $40, the Playboy’s stock certificate shows the iconic bow-tied black bunny profile. The Hasbro stock certificate at $140, depicts an image of the mustached Monopoly man waving his cane.
For $240, a replica of the Walt Disney Company stock certificate, which used to be distributed before the company went paperless, shows numbers of colorfully animated cartoon characters.
Stocks as a holiday present also can be given via gift certificates.
“Usually it’s a pain,” Glassman says of the typical multi-step complicated process to purchase stock as a present for others.
Now, it’s as easy as picking up a Stockpile gift card from places such as Safeway, Giant, Office Depot and Lowes. The gift cards are for companies such as Nike, Apple, Google and Coca Cola.
Glassman says gift cards of $25 or $50 come with transaction fees of $4.95 and $6.95, respectively, paid at the point of purchase. Gift recipients then use the card to ‘buy’ the stock on a day of their choosing, paying whatever the stock is worth at the end of that trading day.
“If you buy a $25 gift card and the stock is trading for hundreds of dollars like Amazon and Google are – you’re going to own a fraction of a share,” but Glassman says that’s okay. “You’ll still get brokered statements once a month in .pdf format and you actually are an owner of the company.”
To view the full list of stock gifts, click here.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct transaction fee for $50 gift cards.
