Christmas is just around the corner! And with it the traditional dilemma of what to gift under the tree. If you want to give your loved ones a financial gift in addition to the obligatory socks, cufflinks or a handmade scarf, forget about the banknotes in the envelope. Reach for a truly practical gift. One that will be useful in the long run. We've picked out a few for you.

For children
You can start one and then contribute as much as you like. Preferably one that is linked to state support. According to the amendment under discussion, the lowest such contribution should be CZK 500 per month from the new year. However, you can also "subscribe" always a year in advance. Yes, of course, a four-year-old child dreams more of a mobile excavator or a doll than of pension savings. But at eighteen, he'll rejoice when you hand him a well-started "pension". What's more, he'll be able to withdraw up to a third of the amount saved, perhaps as a contribution to his studies or his first car.

For spouse
It's easier for two people to pull it off, and that goes for investments too. Help your spouse take the first step into the world of investing. It's up to each person to open an account with an investment company, so in this case it won't be a complete surprise, but you can contribute from your own account. You'll be on your way to a richer life together, and it doesn't have to be a staggering amount - you can start from just a few hundred crowns a month.

For the whole family
Hooray, we've got life insurance! Okay, the cheers probably won't be coming from the Christmas tree. But such a gift is more than appreciated when an unexpected life event occurs. It only takes an insidious illness or a nasty accident to threaten a parent's income. When you take out a policy for all family members, you will save money thanks to a quantity discount for additional insured persons. But beware, don't get caught up in the pre-Christmas chaos and take a good look at the terms of cover, exclusions and associated time limits. When choosing between the products available on the market, don't skimp unnecessarily. Even the best set-up "life insurance" will not guarantee that you won't meet with adversity. But it will certainly help you weather a financially challenging period of income loss and medical treatment.

For anyone important
Exceptional people deserve exceptional attention. For example, an in-kind gift with appreciation potential, such as a gold coin. Gold coin minting with artistic workmanship has a centuries-old tradition in our country. It is therefore a representative gift with noble symbolism. Gold coins have a number of advantages - they retain their value even when there are economic fluctuations and their appreciation can occur relatively quickly. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to just dust them off in a drawer forever. The attractiveness of the coins is underlined not only by the quality of the artwork but also by the limited issue cost. This is strictly limited, yet the mintage of commemorative coins issued by the Czech National Bank is in the thousands. If you are interested in investing in gold, rather than physical metal in the form of bullion, it is usually more profitable to invest in this precious metal using certificates. This avoids the relatively high mark-up that dealers charge for bullion.

If you find any of our tips useful and would like help with your selection, please do not hesitate to contact us. Even in the pre-Christmas rush, we can make it happen for you, and this year you'll give your loved ones some really useful gifts that will benefit them for a really long time.