Father’s Day avoid ‘repetitive gift syndrome'

Put a new twist on the same old aftershave, beer, football and even ties, says Alliance Trust.

Another June, another Father’s Day, another tie for dad. Most Father’s Day gifts remain predictable with stores putting on their typical displays of beer, aftershave, gadgets and drills as potential presents to wow your father.

Share dealing specialist Alliance Trust says that there are ways you can ditch the tired Father’s Day formula but still match your dad’s hobbies and interests.

Claudia Philips, Managing Director of Investment Dealing, says, “Many of us are guilty of giving our dad the same old presents every year without thinking whether he wants another tie, aftershave or bottle of malt. Using your imagination, you can put a twist on the old favourites if you give him shares. With online share dealing, this does not have to take long because services are faster than ever. Whether your dad likes beer, football or gadgets, you can find stocks to match – and, if you choose well, he might consider they have more lasting benefits than the usual gifts.”

To give the present a personal touch, you can find market sectors that chime with your father’s interests. Some sectors that cover the most popular Father’s Day ideas are:

Gift ideas - Stock market sector

Aftershave - Personal products
Beer - Brewers
Books/CDs - Specialty retailers
Cars - Automobiles and parts
DIY/Gardening - Building materials and fixtures
Football clubs - Recreational services
Gadgets - Consumer electronics
Going out for dinner - Restaurants and bars
Ties - Clothing and accessories
Wine/Whisky - Distillers and Vintners

Claudia Philips said, “You have to take the risks of investing seriously but you shouldn’t forget that choosing a stock can be fun too. The chart below tracks how some sectors that fit with popular Father’s Day gift choices have done since last June. It shows that shares can go down as well as up, and you could lose some or all of your capital, so it is worth taking time to check out a share before you buy.”

“If you’d like to give your dad a gift that fits with his interests and hobbies you should do some research into the different options. It’s easy and convenient to do this using online company data and research tools such as the ones we provide for free to our online share dealing customers. These mean you can look up shares from your office or your home any time because it’s a 24/7 service.”