Giving Stocks as gifts??? What???

I was looking for the perfect gift for my 17 year old daughter. She is rather unique, never has a list of what she wants for gifts...always says.."Surprise me". I decided to google unique gifts for a teenager. The usual popped up, but nothing seemed right..until I spied http://www.giveashare.com/. 

After looking through the links, stocks available...I showed it to my husband. He remembered when he was a teenager, his grandpa had told him to start looking into stocks and bonds, but at the time...he didn't really have an interest in it and internet access wasn't a constant, so he forgot. 

We decided, this would be an excellent gift. She can learn about the stock market. It comes with a pamphlet that tells her EVERYTHING she needs to know (for $10 on top of buying the stock from GiveAShare.)

Now, the best part is..they give you all this info, and then you can go to different webpages, after you give this gift, in they want to get into more stock, without paying the extra prices doing it from a gifting site..but it is worth it for the initial gift...whether its for babies, kids, teens or adults.
(for kids and babies..make sure they have someone who is willing to do the work to help guide them..OR that you are in a position to do so.)

We decided to do a 2 part order..which means they send you a copy of the stock you bought and the booklet (if you buy it..which I HIGHLY recommend you do). 2-7 weeks later, you will get sent the real certificate (Unless you just choose the electronic one..but whats the fun in that?) and the info on your stock. There is also the option for gift wrapping, framing etc. But we couldn't wait that long since her birthday was in a couple weeks at the time we finally decided to order it. 

This came in the mail, 4 days after we ordered. It was the copy of the certificate stating my daughter was the proud owner of one share in the Ford Motor Company. There is a lot of info on the stock certificate that is confidential, which is why I won't be posting the actual picture. 

There was many different types of stocks, the one under Teen Stocks, give an overall price including a frame of the paper certificate..but there was not a stock we saw that my hubby wanted as a first investment...except maybe Under Armour...but after discussion, we felt  Ford Motor Company was one of the oldest stocks, and the best to take a chance on.

One key thing I was interested in, was finding a stock that didn't require SSN (When she is 18 and feels she wants to involve her social security number in stocks..that will be her decision) and that has a drip option. 

Investopedia.com definition of drip- The word "DRIP" is an acronym for "dividend reinvestment plan", but "DRIP" also happens to describe the way the plan works. With DRIPs, the dividends that an investor receives from a company go toward the purchase of more stock, making the investment in the company grow little by little.

My daughter can choose to continue to invest the dividends she makes off her stock back into Ford Truck Company, or she can choose to receive the dividend checks. 

All in all, I think this is a fantastic way to teach financial responsibility and about the stock market. My husband and I plan on speaking with a financial adviser at some point, so keep a look out for that blog review! Thanks for reading my blog and I appreciate any commentary and suggestions!