Written by:
Ariane Resnick
Tired of giving the same old stuff every year? Instead of the usual toys, gadgets and scarves (which might get returned anyway), why not give something more unique? A share of their favorite company’s stock or a letter from Santa are sure to be unforgettable.
A Letter From Santa
Sometimes the perfect holiday gift for a child isn’t a toy or a treat. In an age where daily communications are steadily growing less personal, a handwritten letter may have more panache than a Dora the Explorer doll or a stocking full of chocolate. Enter Little Letters, a company that specializes in handwritten letters to children sent directly from the proverbial North Pole.
Founded in 1977 by Jane Heim as an impromptu present for her young son, Little Letters has blossomed over the years into a booming business comprised of mothers and grandmothers who write letters by hand to children on festive red stationery. They write to children of all ages, with the knowledge that a handwritten note from Mr. Claus can bring holiday cheer to anyone, and letters can be written in both English and Spanish.
Even better, the letters can be personalized as much s you desire. You can request a specific note from Santa yourself, going so far as to submit your own letter and have Little Letters print it for you on their special North Pole stationery, or you can opt Santa word the note himself (or herself, as the case may be). And if your child has specific requests, she can write her own letter to Santa and be guaranteed to get a response. Now, don’t you wish you had that option when you were a kid? http://www.santalittleletters.com
One Share of Corporate Bliss
If you’ve ever thought of giving someone stock in their favorite company, you may have scratched the idea because you assumed it would be outside of your holiday budget. But in 1996, bond broker Lance Lee recognized the niche market for token stocks that would be affordable to the general public and created OneShare.com, a specialty service that sells single shares of corporate stocks. OneShare.com packages individual shares of stock as personalized presents complete with frame and plaque, and the shares themselves are representative of the chosen company’s personality. For instance, the Disney share depicts Walt and a variety of cartoon critters, and the eBay share is emblazoned with their colorful logo.
To satisfy consumers on every end of the brand-name spectrum, OneShare.com offers single shares from 130 different companies ranging from Harley Davidson to Martha Stewart Omnimedia. They have brand names such as Wet Seal and Candies that appeal to teens, and cater to foodies with offerings of Krispy Kreme, Campbell’s Soup, and Hershey Foods. For children, they sell a “My First Stock” package which contains, in addition to the one share of stock, a kid’s investment book, online investment games and a special mat logo.
In addition, OneShare.com will donate one percent (about $1) of every share sold to the charity Women for Women International through Dec. 31, which renders this gift a bit more socially conscious that you might expect. http://www.oneshare.com
|
