Finding just the right gift for a loved one who has everything can be quite the challenge. If your own special giftee happens to be an avid investor, perhaps one of the items in the following list would be the perfect choice to brighten their holidays. And if you're an investor yourself, you could always add some of these items to your own wish list.
Investing books and periodicals
When you get a chance, take a quick peek at your investor friend's library to see if there are copies of the classic investing books. If there's one missing, it could be an excellent choice for a holiday gift. Investing books to consider gifting include:
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. Benjamin Graham is known for being the "father of value investing" and Warren Buffett's close mentor. The Intelligent Investor is essentially the bible of value investors and is one of Buffett's most highly recommended books -- and if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for any investor.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel. Malkiel was a Princeton economics professor who embraced the concept of index investing before such a thing even existed. My personal favorite investing book, it thoroughly explains the "random walk" hypothesis, which states that the market's behavior can't be predicted. It's highly readable and a great choice for investors at any experience level.
Margin of Safety by Seth A. Klarman. A legendary investment guru, Klarman heads up the Baupost Group, one of the largest hedge funds in existence. His book explains how to invest for value while minimizing risk. It's out of print, so it may be a challenge to find -- but on the other hand, your friend is unlikely to have a copy.
If your friend has already read all the classics, then consider buying them a subscription to a periodical that offers news and analysis of the market and the economy. The Wall Street Journal , The Economist , The Financial Times , and Bloomberg Businessweek are all respected publications, though there are many others worth reading.
And if you'd like to go a step further and give your friend the gift of regular stock tips, then look into a subscription investment newsletter. The best newsletters share the wisdom of brilliant investors and financial advisors at a far lower cost than you'd pay to hire such an individual to manage your investments.
Investing-related collectibles
If you're looking for stocking stuffers or just want gift with a lighter touch, try browsing BullMarketGifts . This website offers everything from bull and bear cufflinks to vintage stock certificates, so you're likely to find something that will satisfy even the pickiest investor's tastes. You can even get greeting cards with Wall Street-related messages.
Actual stocks
Why not cut to the chase and get your investor friend something they're sure to appreciate: some new shares of stock? Heck, even if you buy a stock that they already own, they'll still be thrilled by the gift. Stock gift cards allow you to buy cards that represent fractional shares of a given stock, which can make it possible to give your friend stocks that normally cost thousands per share without blowing up your holiday budget.
Now that you've had a glimpse of the kinds of gifts investors will appreciate, perhaps you'll consider diving into the world of investing yourself. Not only can you make money on your investments , but you might end up receiving some of the gifts above from friends and family. After all, wouldn't you like to be the first on your block to own a Lehman Brothers Emergency Evacuation Kit ?
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
