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With Christmas just around the corner, there will no doubt be countless people unwrapping the usual: socks, gift cards and chocolates.
While many gifts will have a significantly more personal touch, some of them will also have the potential to increase in value in 2025 and offer attractive returns for future sellers in the years to come.
It may be time to ditch the £50 Amazon vouchers and instead take the road less traveled – the gift recipient might end up better off.
Whether you’re planning to give a holiday gift or are in the market as a collector, there are a number of attractive assets called “passion assets” that could grow your collection and also boost your portfolio at the same time.
According to Investec Wealth and Investment, one in ten adults buy collectibles in the hope of making a profit, so picking up collectibles is becoming increasingly common.
Passion assets are essentially any collectible or investment item that comes with a personal connection.
While most people don’t identify with the semiconductor sector, many more are interested in classic cars, coins, wine and art.
Ditch the socks and gift cards: Antique furniture can cost collectors a pretty penny
Andy Sagar, managing director of Auctionet in the UK, said: “Whether art, rare coins, antique furniture or memorabilia, these items are as emotionally rewarding as they are financially attractive, and provide long-term growth in value over time.” .
“Investing in exciting, collectible assets has never been more accessible and rewarding.”
The market for these collectibles is already worth $372 billion, Sagar said, and is expected to grow to $522 billion by 2028.
According to Yodel, more than 16 million people in the UK are already buying Christmas gifts at second-hand markets.
While most people turn to second-hand sites in a bid to save money, around 21 percent said they were looking to buy products that are no longer made.
On top of this, with around a quarter of people looking to cash in on their favorite items this Christmas, there could be an opportunity to pick up a bargain that you could profit from in the new year.
But which assets are expected to prove valuable as we move into the new year?
Become an armchair collector
Literally, antique furniture can make online buyers a lot of money.
Popular pieces include those from Ikea, Auctionet said, but it’s not the Kallax or Ivar units that are fetching high prices.
In September, a 1970s Ikea Impala sofa sold for more than £2,000 on the site, more than 200 per cent of its estimated value.
Hidden treasure: Series of posters discovered on cottage walls sold for £100,000 in total
Ikea’s new Oxford Street branch, due to open next year, will cement the brand’s longevity, Sagar said, and subsequently resale prices could also see an increase.
While Ikea may be closer to the economic trend of the furniture sector, the popularity of Scandinavian furniture also applies to higher-value items.
According to Sagar, demand for these mid-century products consistently outstrips supply.
Earlier this year, a 1960s Svenskt Tenn sideboard sold on Auctionet for more than £38,000, compared to its reserve price of just over £9,000.
He said: ‘The timeless appeal of Scandinavian furniture and decor remains strong. Collectors are drawn to the clean lines and durable craftsmanship.
Channel your inner magpie
Gold has seen a huge takeoff in recent years: the price of the yellow metal has risen by a third in the last year alone.
The metal typically recovers during periods of volatile geopolitics or economic uncertainty, as we have recently experienced with the war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Gold is often considered an “insurance policy” asset that will perform well in times of market stress.
As a result, gold has become an increasingly attractive investment for those seeking to reduce their exposure to the fortunes of the market.
Similarly, silver has also risen by more than a third over the past year.
With the rise in value of metals, gold and silver jewelry also increases in value, and people who sit down with pieces made of these materials may find that they are worth much more than what they paid for them.
“The price of gold soared to an all-time high in 2024, hitting a record $2,790 per ounce in October, and its appeal lies in storing value that cannot be printed or created at will,” Sagar said.
Celebrity status: Items linked to famous names, such as Ed Sheeran’s Pokémon guitar, are popular with collectors.
Buyers want backstories
Scarlett Johannson’s used scarf, John Lennon’s tooth or Elvis Presley’s hair are certainly slightly unhinged additions to a Christmas list, but if you list them at auction, they’re all sure to sell, because they already have.
Most people may not have said hand-worn handkerchiefs (which sold for $5,300), but any celebrity souvenir is likely to fetch a reasonable payout from the right buyer.
In September, Ed Sheeran’s limited edition Pokémon guitar sold for £11,000 on Auctionet, more than ten times its estimated value.
Likewise, historical objects are also highly appreciated by collectors, who prefer them for the story they can tell.
A series of Casanova posters sold in April for £100,000 in total. Although they were hand painted in the 1920s and 1930s, it was the fact that these signs had been used as insulation in the walls of a cabin and were only discovered during renovation that increased their value.
How can you tell if your collectibles are worth anything?
The first step is to check online; Even if you have an item that may not be worth anything, this can be confirmed quite easily.
“Take advantage of the free valuation service often offered by many reputable auction houses,” said Sagar, “some also organize ‘valuation days’, where experts are available to appraise items directly.”
Auction and resale sites also allow you to search specific listings to find items similar to what you plan to sell, even allowing you to see what these products have previously sold for.
Dan Hatfield: Our columnist is ready to value your modern treasure
Looking at previous listings helps ensure you don’t match inflated prices on items that will never sell.
‘Online tools like Google and image searches can also help identify items, but take this with a pinch of salt. Always check details with a reliable auction house as high prices do not always reflect the true market value,” Sagar added.
If you think you might have found gold but want a second opinion, you can also contact This is Money’s modern treasure expert Dan Hatfield.
Please send as much information as possible, including photographs, to: editor@thisismoney.co.uk with the email subject: Modern Treasures
We are only looking for post war items and may contact you for more information.
Dan will do his best to respond to your message in his biweekly column, but will not be able to respond to everyone or correspond privately with readers.
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