Warren Buffett, the renowned investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is famously known for his thrifty lifestyle and practical approach to finances. However, when the holiday season arrives, a different side of Buffett emerges, one marked by generosity and a unique approach to gift-giving. From practical items like dresses and chocolates to envelopes filled with cash, Buffett’s gifts reflect his values of practicality, gratitude, and a hint of humor.
One of Buffett’s trademark holiday gift-giving traditions is his practice of gifting cash and stocks. Back in 2019, Mary Buffett, who was previously married to Warren’s son Peter, revealed that Warren used to give each family member $10,000 in hundred-dollar bills. However, recognizing the family’s tendency to quickly spend this cash, Warren decided to change his approach. On one memorable Christmas, he gifted $10,000 worth of shares in a company he had recently invested in, offering the recipients the option to either cash in the shares or keep them as an investment. This gesture showcased Warren’s astute investment acumen and his desire to impart financial prudence to his family. Opting to give shares instead of cash was a strategic decision that not only provided the recipients with a valuable asset but also served as a subtle lesson in making sound financial choices. By gifting shares from a company he had recently invested in, Buffett demonstrated his confidence in his investment decisions. This approach underscored his wish to pass down his investment knowledge and principles, encouraging his family to adopt a long-term perspective and consider the potential growth of their assets, rather than immediate spending.
Just as receiving shares in a company provides the opportunity to be part of its future success, investing in a startup at the ground level can offer the potential for significant returns if the company takes off. This parallel underscores the importance of considering long-term potential and being strategic with financial decisions.
In addition to giving stocks, Buffett has maintained another Christmas tradition: giving dresses to the women in his life. In the 1960s, he would visit Topps, a dress shop in Omaha, Nebraska, and provide the store clerk with a list of dress sizes for all the women in his family, showcasing his practical holiday shopping approach.
Buffett also sends boxes of See’s Candies, one of Berkshire Hathaway’s best investments, to dozens of relatives and friends each year. These boxes come with his annual Christmas card, which often features Buffett in humorous or playful scenarios. For example, his 2013 card depicted Buffett dressed as Walter White from “Breaking Bad” with the message “Have yourself a Meth-y Little Christmas.” In 2018, the card was a photo of Buffett wearing a t-shirt with the words, “The Next Charlie Munger,” and the message “Aiming High In 2019” on the card. Another year, Munger and Buffett were dressed in black suits and cowboy hats with the caption “Butch & Sundance” and the message “You’re right, it’s not Newman and Redford.”
Through these unique and thoughtful gifts, Warren Buffett brings a touch of his personality and values to the holiday season, making Christmas a little brighter for those around him.
