Stock for Niece/Nephew/Godchild

I did it for my own children when they were in early elementary school. I asked them what businesses they liked and explained I would buy some stock in those companies for them so that they could be part owners of the companies.

The chose Disney, Coca-Cola and McDonalds.

So I set up brokerage accounts for them with me as the custodian of a minor's account and put the cash into their account periodically and then buy their chosen stocks.

Their accounts allowed them to pay their way through college (in addition to TOPS and a little additional help from mom and dad) without having any student loans.

Do you want it as a keepsake, or just the stock for future financial keeping?

I have an account setup through my brokerage (Sharebuilder) for my son. I simply buy various companies for him, right now Disney and Apple.

But there's also companies that you can buy one share, and they'll send you a framed stock certificate. It's nice as a gift, especially if the company has some meaning.

Thanks again for the responses.

It is for future financial planning purposes. I was looking for a low cost way to buy a few shares at most. It would seem if I set up an account to buy a share or two of a company at a time then the transactions and account costs would eat up the profit.

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I have a 529 set-up for my kid. I give the info to all relatives when they ask what to get him for Christmas, birthdays, etc. Seems like this is what you are looking for.

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"all relatives"?

Buzz Kill and bad form, IMO.

I didn't ask my relatives to pay for my kids' orthodontics, in essence that's what you are doing. (Caveat: If your relatives specifically volunteer to give the kid(s) money or stocks, etc., especially grandparents, then this is OK, but never as the answer to a generic request for what to give a kid.)