These are the ‘passion possessions’ you can cash in this Christmas that could increase in value next year
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 more personal touch, some of these will also have the potential to grow in value through 2025 and provide attractive returns for future sellers in years to come.
It might be time to ditch the £50 Amazon vouchers and take the path less trodden instead; the recipient of your gift could end up better off for it.
Whether you’re planning to give a festive gift or are in the market as a collector, there are a number of attractive so-called ‘passion possessions’ that can complement your collection and boost your portfolio at the same time.
With as many as one in 10 adults buying collectibles in the hope of making a profit, choosing collectibles is becoming increasingly common, according to Investec Wealth and Investment.
Passion assets are essentially any collectibles or investments that have a personal connection.
While most people won’t resonate with the semiconductor sector, many more people are interested in classic cars, coins, wine and art.
Ditch the socks and gift cards: Vintage furniture can fetch a pretty penny from collectors
Andy Sagar, UK managing director at Auctionet, said: ‘Whether it’s art, rare coins, vintage furniture or memorabilia, these items are both emotionally rewarding and financially attractive, providing long-term value growth over time .’
“Investing in passion items and collectibles has never been more accessible and rewarding.”
The market for these collectibles is already $372 billion, Sagar said, and is expected to grow to $522 billion by 2028.
According to Yodel, more than 16 million people in Britain already buy Christmas presents on second-hand markets.
While most people turn to second-hand sites to save money, about 21 percent say they want to buy products that are no longer produced.
Plus, with around a quarter of people looking to cash in on their favorite items this Christmas, there could be an opportunity to score a bargain that you can turn a profit on in the new year.
But what assets are expected to prove valuable as we enter the new year?
Become an armchair collector
Quite literally: vintage furniture can fetch a lot of money from online buyers.
Popular pieces include those from Ikea, Auctionet said, but it’s not the Kallax or Ivar units that command high prices.
In September, a 1970s Ikea Impala sofa sold on the site for more than £2,000, more than 200 percent of its assessed value.
Hidden treasure: a series of posters discovered in the walls of a cottage, sold for a total of £100,000
Ikea’s new Oxford Street branch, opening next year, will strengthen the brand’s longevity, Sagar said, and subsequently resale prices could also get a boost.
While Ikea may lean more towards the budgets of the furniture sector, the popularity of Scandi furniture also extends to higher value items.
According to Sagar, demand for these mid-century products consistently exceeds supply.
Earlier this year, a 1960s Svenskt Tenn sideboard sold on Auctionet for over £38,000, compared to the reserve price of just over £9,000.
He said: ‘The timeless appeal of Scandinavian furniture and decor remains strong. Collectors are attracted to the clean lines and durable craftsmanship’
Channel your inner magpie
Gold has boomed in recent years, with the price of the yellow metal rising by a third in the past year alone.
The metal generally rebounds 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 seen as an insurance policy that will perform well in times of market stress.
As a result, gold has become an increasingly attractive investment for those looking to reduce their exposure to the fortunes of the market.
Silver has also risen by more than a third in the past year.
As the value of metals rises, gold and silver jewelry increases in value, and people who sit on pieces made from these materials may find that they are worth significantly more than they paid for them.
“The price of gold rose 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.
Famous status: Items associated with famous names, such as Ed Sheeran’s Pokémon guitar, are popular among collectors
Buyers want backstories
Scarlett Johannson’s used handkerchief, John Lennon’s tooth or Elvis Presley’s hair are certainly somewhat unhinged additions to a Christmas list, but if you put them up at auction, they’re all sure to have sold, because they already have.
Most people may not have mentioned having used tissues on hand (which sold for $5,300), but celebrity memorabilia will likely fetch a reasonable payout from the right buyer.
In September, Ed Sheeran’s limited edition Pokémon guitar sold on Auctionet for £11,000, more than ten times its estimated value.
Likewise, historical objects are also highly prized by collectors, who prefer them for the story they can tell.
A series of Casanova posters sold in April for a total of £100,000. Although they were hand-painted in the 1920s and 1930s, it was the fact that these posters had been used as insulation in the walls of a cottage and were only discovered during renovation that increased their value.
How do you know 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 easily enough.
“Take advantage of the free appraisal service that many reputable auction houses often offer,” Sagar said. ‘Some also organize ‘appraisal days’, where experts are available to assess items directly.’
Auction and resale sites also allow you to search specific listings to find similar items to what you plan to sell, and you can also see how much these products have previously sold for.
Dan Hatfield: Our columnist is ready to appreciate your modern treasure
Looking at past listings can help ensure you don’t match the high prices of items that will never be sold.
‘Online tools such as Google and image searches can also help identify items, but take this with a grain of salt. Always check details with a trusted auction house as high asking prices do not always reflect the true market value,” said Sagar.
If you think you’ve struck 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 photos, to: editor@thisismoney.co.uk with the subject line: Modern Treasures
We are only looking for post war items and we can contact you for further information.
Dan will do his best to respond to your message in his biweekly column, but he will not be able to reply to everyone or correspond with readers privately.
Nothing in his answers constitutes regulated financial advice. Published questions are sometimes edited for brevity or other reasons.
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