There are only a few shopping days left to Christmas, which is cutting it a bit short for those hard-to-buy-for friends and family. But don't despair. Family Money has some suggestions for filling Christmas stockings.
These gifts range in value from just one pound to thousands of pounds. They might not be as sweet smelling, sweet tasting, melodious or comforting as the ubiquitous perfume, chocolates, CDs and sweaters, but the recipient will appreciate your thoughtfulness. . . eventually.
So, for this first Christmas of the Celtic Tiger why not give a loved one:
An Post Saving Certificates and Savings Bonds which can be bought in lots of £50 and £100 respectively. The interest has fallen in recent years (to below 5 per cent after a set number of years) but they do include a Statebacked guarantee.
A Tracker Bond. According to National Deposit Brokers' latest survey, there are seven tracker bonds on the market at the moment, though Standard Life's one and Hibernian's two close today. The others are Irish Life's GET series bonds and AIB's offering. You'll need to fork out £3,000-£5,000 for this gift, but the capital is secure.
A partner's credit card especially the "Gold" kind. You can arrange (but hurry) to have a second credit card taken out in your spouse (or even child's) name on a joint credit card account.
Gold cards are restricted to relatively high earners with excellent credit ratings. Minimum balances are usually £3,000-£5,000 with very high, but negotiable, spending ceilings.
A copy of either Colm Rapple's excellent personal finance guide, Family Finance, or the Taxation Advice Bureau's the 1998-1999 Money Pensions & Tax Guide. Both of these books have just been updated with the latest Budget changes and cost under £8.
An annual subscription to Consumer Choice magazine. For £25 you can get an objective view of the quality and price of various consumer items, including financial ones such as life assurance policies, bank accounts, etc. The magazine also keeps you abreast of consumer legislation coming out of Brussels and Dublin. For more information call (01) 668 6836.
Prize bonds. You can purchase these from any post office in lots of four for £20 and they come with a Christmas greeting card. The bonds can be encashed at any time for their face value, and you are entered in to every weekly and monthly draw even if your bond has already won a prize. Contrary to what the Prize Bond company says, they are not a good "investment" inflation will eat away at their value and the return from prizes can be very low in the long term. But for £20, you have a chance at sudden riches, however modest they may be.
For just £1 you can fill everyone's stocking with a Lotto scratchcard or ticket and give them a chance to win from £2 upwards.
Telephone cards. These are available from newsagents at £2-£10. Special overseas dialling cards (£10) are also available and these might be of special interest to someone going on holiday, or a child studying or working abroad.
A bank, building society or post office child's savings account. This may not be quite what your offspring (or grandchildren) were hoping for this Christmas, but they'll thank you eventually for opening the account and making regular deposits on their part. Virtually all the banks offer a free gift.
A savings box, savings club membership complete with special deposit books and regular magazines. Our favourites: Holly and Henry Hippo banks from Ulster Bank and the Savings Bee stuffed toy for First National's youngest customers. (Older kids get pencil sets and their own "personal organiser".)
Finally, amid all this spending and wealth, remember that many people will not be enjoying the benefits of an improved economy this Christmas and so a thoughtful gesture would be to set up a standing order at your bank in the name of your family's favourite charity.
