–Dan Kelly, Attorney

If you are having any trouble with gift ideas this year, here is a novel idea:  give a domain name.  DomainRegistrar.info has published the results of a survey it conducted suggesting that there is an increased demand for domain names as gifts.  While I have some reservations about the rigor of the survey, a domain name could well be an interesting and unique gift for that someone in your life who may be a bit difficult to shop for.

The report suggests that “personalization” is the leading characteristic making a domain name a good gift.  Many unique or personalized domain names can probably still be had for less than $10 per year.  If you want to give a domain name as a gift that may give in other ways, for instance, as a potential investment vehicle, give one that is generic or a collector’s item.  (See here for year-to-date top domain name sale prices.)  A domain name might even be a creative business-to-business gift, but probably best given with prior approval or as a gift card.