I recently received a gift that made me think not only "Thank you" but also "What a great gift idea!" After digging around in their safety deposit box, my parents found a 10-year US savings bond some distant relative had bought in my name shortly after I was born. Now, fourteen years past maturity, I cashed the bond for more than three times its face value.

What a great idea! For kids of your friends or relatives, buy a savings bond, with the intention of giving it to them long past maturity (perhaps giving in trust to the parents). The kid will definitely appreciate the surprise, and it won't cost you much... just patience.

Another idea, inspired by my parents: shortly after I was born they bought six bottles of port bottled that year. These were then presented to me as a 21st birthday present. Lemme tell ya... that's some really good stuff! Dynedain can vouch for that much.

Does anyone have any other ideas? Gifts that require not much effort, but great foresight and/or prior planning?