This morning I watched CNBC and they were talking about giving stocks to your kids as a Christmas gift. I never would have thought to do that, but I think it's a great idea.

When buying stocks for kids, they recommended that you buy stocks from companies that the kids are familiar with. For instance, companies like Microsoft (MSFT), Mattell (MAT), or Walt Disney (DIS) would be perfect. I would also recommend tech companies like Apple (AAPL) or even Sony (SNE), the makers of all those popular Nintendo products.

They also stressed the importance of talking with your kids about investing and what these stocks mean to them in the future...which makes me wish that my parents would have done that!

I came across this article that also gives advice on profitable presents for kids...or how about giving the gift of a future?