Stocks V gold: the great Christmas present debate

You'd think that with things in a bit of mess, your average punter would be a tad wary about playing the stock market at the moment.

But according to a survey from Lloyds TSB's wealth management unit, half of Brits want some stocks in their Christmas stockings. Far from being seen as too risky, the bank suggests share prices are so low at the moment people think they'll get a bargain.

A shopping Web site called Swoopo doesn't agree though. It thinks we're so scared to buy shares, or even put our money in the bank, that we're all clamouring for some gold bullion this Christmas. The site reckons it has been swamped with customers looking to buy its gold bars for their loved ones.

Whatever happened to a satsuma and some nuts?

So, what do you want to wake up to on the 25th, stocks or gold?