Stock for Baby's Xmas?

I have an idea for a Christmas present for my newborn nephew, but I am not sure how to execute it. I'd like to start his investment porfolio by buying him a single share of stock. (I'm a student, so I can't afford much.) I would like to present this share of stock as an actual certificate in a frame.

Do they still issue stock certificates? I do have a Datek (or Amertrade or whatever now) account, but it has been dormant for some time. Would I use them to procure the certificate?

Thanks!

Buy through a broker as a last resort. They can charge exhorbinate fees for issuing certificates.
1. Write directly to the manager of investor realtons of whatever companies you are looking at. Expain to them that you are a poor college student but you love their company (cite examples) and you want your neph to worship them as much as you do. Explain that you are too poor to buy into their DRP program (usually $5,000 to get in) but wouldn't they this ONE TIME make an acception... Mention that you would certainly expect to pay a premium over the actual value for such a generous gift. AND, if unable to do so in an offical capacity, would he/she have a personal certificate that they would be willing to part with.

2. Buy a certifiacat in a failed company like Enron or something. Go on e-bay there is a whole 2nd market for these faild company's certificates. Tell your brother or sister it is an object lesson in greed.

Yes, when you buy the one stock tell them you want the certificate sent to in your nephew's name. Not a problem they do it all the time.

Why don't you look into doing a savings bond for your nephew? You don't have to worry about the stock taking a dive and in 7 years it will reach maturity. And they cost less that the amount you want. It's also a pretty certificate that looks kind of like money!

good idea...yes ameritrade will send you the certificate...make sure you pick a nice stock. very thoughtfull gift...bonds are good too double EE series.

Sharebuilder has a kit called the young investor holiday gift pack.

It include Young Investor Holiday Savings Pak
Give the gift of stock this holiday season

Created just for young investors, the ShareBuilder Young Investor Holiday Savings Pak is a kit that provides everything they need to get started investing for the future with a free year of investing and a little incentive from iTunes, it's virtually procrastination proof!

Kit Includes:
One year of free investing with 6 automatic investments** each month included
$25 account bonus
ShareBuilder Quick Start CD
Free copy of "The Automatic Millionaire庐" by #1 bestselling author David Bach
$10 iTunes gift certificate
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Click on the green icon that I put on this page, it will take you to the site that specializes in selling 1 share of stock.

Buy stock in the electric company that your nephews parents use,take posation of the certificate then enroll it in the automatic dividend investment plan and watch it grow from there.You will also be able to then add cash at times without a commision charge so every year on birthday you add more money and plan then buys more shares.And don't worry the electric company is not going out of business the stock will move higher slowly over the next 18 years while your nephew is growing up.