How to gift Bitcoin for Christmas: A step by step guide

With the most wonderful time of the year right around the corner, many people are frantically shopping gifts for their loved ones. Then, of course, there are also us, crypto enthusiasts, that want to gift Bitcoin for Christmas.

If you were one of the people that introduced your uncle and grandma to Bitcoin back in the Christmas of 2017, you might be hesitant to bring the topic up again. Between coping with their losses and wishing they had never heard of the now popular cryptocurrency, most people have given up on Bitcoin.

However, this year, things are different. 

Bitcoin has been growing at a rapid pace and the fundamentals of the coin are stronger than ever. Therefore, it might be good to know how to gift Bitcoin for Christmas, instead of one more boring deodorant set that no one will ever use.

In this article, we will show you the best ways to gift Bitcoin and also create a small list of Bitcoin gifts for crypto-fans.

Let this Christmas be the beginning of a great crypto journey and a better understanding of the function of money.

Give Bitcoin for Christmas

Why does Bitcoin make a great gift? If you are relatively new to the crypto space or got a Bitcoin request for your secret Santa office party, you may be thinking of the same question. After all, why would anyone choose Bitcoin over a gift card or a bouquet of flowers?

Well, there are actually many reasons – at least more than you think.

First of all, Bitcoin has proven to be the best investment opportunity for the last decade and has continuously outperformed other assets, stocks, and bonds.

Secondly, the potential for growth is now more prevalent than ever. With the Bitcoin halving coming up, and numerous countries introducing their own, blockchain-based digital currencies, Bitcoin will become more popular than ever before.

Thirdly, by gifting Bitcoin to someone who does not know anything about the digital currency, you make them want to learn more about the world of cryptocurrency, effectively increasing mainstream adoption.

Finally, and most importantly, when you gift Bitcoin for Christmas, the receiver will be prompted to perform more research and finally get a better understanding of the contemporary problems of our financial system. 

Since information related to the proper function of money is never taught in schools, there is nothing better than an incentive mechanism to give a gentle push in the right direction.

Now that you have a better understanding of the reasons that constitute Bitcoin as a great Christmas gift, let’s talk about the most creative way to “setup” your gift.

How to gift Bitcoin for Christmas – 3 Best ways

Bitcoin is intangible. Its digital nature makes it impossible to touch, much less wrap as a gift. Those golden Bitcoins you see in pictures… they are not really Bitcoin. In reality, Bitcoin is nothing but numbers on the blockchain.

It is for that reason that you will need to store the coin(s) in a specifically designed Bitcoin wallet, which you will then wrap as a gift and place under the tree.

Let’s check three different ways to go about this.

Craft a unique paper wallet

Paper wallets are nothing but a sheet of paper that contains your wallet’s public address and private key. They were the very first wallets to be distributed in the market and are free to use.

However, the process of actually creating such a wallet will require some of your time and DIY origami efforts. You see, there are a few steps you will need to follow to successfully create a paper wallet that contains Bitcoin. Let’s see how that works:

Step 1: Visit BitcoinPaperWallet. This is the most popular website that allows users to create new paper wallets and even comes with a Christmas-themed design.

Step 2: After reading through the information on the page, click on “Xmas / New Years Wallet Generator >>” This will take you to a new page, where you will be able to create your wallet.

Step 3: Move your cursor around for a few seconds to generate a truly random address and private key for your Bitcoin wallet. You have an option to skip this step if you don’t want to go through the process. Your keys will be 100% random as well.

Step 4: Once the loading bar on the right side of the screen goes to zero (0), you will see your newly generated Bitcoin wallet. Under the Christmas-themed design, you will be able to see your public address and private key. They will also be printed on your wallet, both in text form and QR code.

Step 5: On the options menu above the wallet, you will be able to check the back of the wallet as well. Print both sides on a thick, coated paper to improve the feel and durability of the wallet. Then, cut it and fold it according to the instructions found on the same options menu.

Note: The golden hologram sticker addition is a great idea!

Load the wallet with Bitcoin

Now that the wallet is ready, all you need to do is purchase some Bitcoin to store on the wallet. To do this, follow the steps outlined below:

• Visit Paybis, create an account and head to the homepage.
• Select your payment method from the left column of the page
• Click on “Bitcoin (BTC)” from the right column
• Enter the amount of money you wish to spend to load the wallet with Bitcoin.
• Start the transaction
• At this point, you will be asked to enter your Bitcoin wallet address. Please enter the public address of your newly generated paper wallet.
• If requested, please provide the necessary information to pass ID verification.
• Follow the steps and complete your payment.
• The Bitcoin payment will be sent to your wallet as soon as Paybis receives your payment.

From that point onwards, there is no way to simply “log in” to some account and check the Bitcoin in your wallet. You will need to check the transaction on the public ledger, also known as the blockchain, to see your transaction. To do this, you will need to enter your public address on blockchain explorer.

Give a preloaded hardware wallet

Hardware wallets are physical devices that act like paper wallets, but also allow users to “log in” to the wallet’s software and make use of their coins in a much easier way. While these wallets come at a cost, unlike paper wallets, they do offer more convenience at a low cost.

If you plan on giving Bitcoin to several members of your family, it’s best to invest in Opendime wallets, since they come in pairs of three are much cheaper compared to their competitors.

Opendime wallets are simply plugged into your computer, similar to a USB stick, and store your private keys. 

A 3-pack costs less than $45, which is cheaper than a single hardware wallet from the more popular vendors, such as Trezor or Ledger.

Apart from that, the devices are very aesthetically pleasing and stripped from everything unessential to the fulfillment of its purpose.

This video gives a great introduction to Opendime wallets, how to set them up and use them successfully.

Once you understand how to create a wallet through the device, you can follow the same steps described above to purchase and store Bitcoin each of the wallets.

When the wallet is loaded, you can place it in a beautiful box, which you can find either on Etsy (if you prefer to use handmade products) or Amazon and wrap the gift. It will definitely impress the receiver. 

Gift a Bitcoin book instead

A great alternative (or additional) gift to give for Christmas is a Bitcoin-themed book. Especially for beginners, understanding the mechanics behind this new form of money, as well as its disruptive potential, can be even more valuable than giving Bitcoin directly.

There are many different books on Bitcoin, blockchain, and cryptocurrency in general, some of which are more technical than others.

If this idea sounds like something you wish to explore further, feel free to check out our list with the top 30 books on cryptocurrency. You will definitely find a book that fits the criteria of a great gift.

If the receiver of your gift is a total beginner, you could start with a book that talks about the fundamentals, such as “Mastering Bitcoin“, by Andreas Antonopoulos.

If, on the other hand, you are dealing with an experienced crypto-enthusiast, you may even go as far as to give a subscription to a high-quality paid newsletter, such as Off the Chain, by Anthony Pompliano.

Other great Bitcoin gifts

If you are looking for even more gift options, we got you covered. In this section, we will show you some of the best Bitcoin gift ideas for Christmas or New Years’ eve.

1. Cryptocurrency socks

Since Christmas is often considered to be the national sock-gifting holiday, you might as well get creative. Bitcoin socks are more than just a simple statement. They raise eyebrows, start debates and lead to interesting new meetings.

Therefore, if the person you need to buy a gift for has both the crypto-bug and a sense of fashion, you might want to gift him cryptocurrency socks. The set contains 5 pairs of socks (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, Litecoin, Ripple) and comes in a beautiful gift box.

Additionally, the socks are great for men wearing sizes 7-13 and women wearing 6.5-12. And if the gift does not meet your expectations, you can always return it within 30 days, at no cost to you.

2. Bitcoin 3D Illusion Lamp

Looking for a nice desk accessory? This battery-based 3D illusion Bitcoin lamp can change 7 colors with a touch switch on the bottom of the device.

The lamp illustrates the unofficial shape of the ideal physical Bitcoin, with its key features written around the edges of the coin.

It is a great gift for kids and adults, completely safe to use and a great conversation starter, whether you place it in the office, your living room or your desk.

3. Billfodl – Steel Bitcoin wallet

When you finally create your Bitcoin wallet and store your Bitcoin, it is imperative that you create backups of your private keys and/or your mnemonic phrase. Without these, you will not be to access your wallet and, thus, your funds.

This is where Billfodl comes in. Made from indestructible steel, this cold wallet is designed and tested to withstand the worst weather conditions as well as hacking attempts, no matter how long your coins remain stored.

Metallic backups are gaining in popularity with the biggest hardware wallet brands currently selling this type of cold storage wallet as a bundle, together with the original, electronic version. It is certainly the best way to ensure that you won’t lose your keys at any time.

Therefore, if you have someone in the family who tends to be less careful of their Bitcoin, gift them a Billfodl. It will be both a relevant and useful gift for them.

4. “Ask me about Bitcoin” T-shirt

Looking for a humorous gift that will cause many laughs but also intrigue? Then, look no further. A Bitcoin t-shirt shows both understanding and appreciation towards people who do their best to spread the word.

However, at the same time, it also shows that the person in question may talk just a little bit more about the digital currency than people can handle (at least for now). Being the first one in a new industry can be confusing, especially if most people don’t even know how to ask about it.

So go ahead and buy a Bitcoin t-shirt with a funny (and smart) quote like this one. The person who receives it will thank you and certainly wear it often.

5. Bitcoin-themed cufflinks

If you know any Bitcoin enthusiasts that enjoy going relatively unnoticed, you can always gift a small and sharp accessory to help them dress better. And this is exactly what cufflinks do.

Bitcoin cufflinks are not only a unique Bitcoin gift but also a loud statement. While it may not necessarily raise questions from people at parties, it will certainly catch the attention of other cryptocurrency fans.

These are best worn at Bitcoin meetups, cryptocurrency events and other, crypto-related events. You can also purchase cufflinks that depict different cryptocurrencies, and mix them up.

6. Humorous Bitcoin mug

Do you have someone in your family that can just not stop talking about Bitcoin? The coin’s incredible potential may be worth sharing, but when one does so a little too often, you could give a humorous gift to make them realize.

And there is no better way to show this than giving a Bitcoin mug with a funny print. This particular mug reads “Warning. May randomly start talking about Bitcoin”, something that most crypto enthusiasts are guilty of. And while no one will tell you directly, if you happen to receive this gift, you will know something is up!

We suggest you do your own due diligence and find a mug that is both creative and beautiful. When you do find it, wrap it up nicely and let the receiver be surprised.

7. Yubico Security key NFC

Nothing is better for your coins than an additional layer of security. With the Yubico security key, you can protect your funds against unauthorized access by using 2FA (2 Factor Authentication).

The Yubico extension does not only protect your (online) cryptocurrency wallet. It also protects your email, Dropbox and any social media accounts.

You can set up the device, which fits USB-A ports, very easy. Once you sign up, each online account will require you to insert the Yubico Key into your USB port and tap to gain access.

8. Trezor One Hardware Wallet (or Trezor model T)

If the budget allows, you can also consider gifting Bitcoin in a more prestigious and expensive hardware wallet. While Opendime is good for this particular purpose, as we saw above, we do not suggest using it for more significant amounts of Bitcoin (e.g. more than $1000).

If you decide to gift a larger amount of Bitcoin, you may want to go with what has been proven to work best. In this case, this would be the Trezor One or, if you can afford its $200 price tag, the Trezor Model T.

Both options offer maximum security for your Bitcoin and come with discounted bundles for the Christmas season.

9. Ledger Nano X

The Ledger Nano X is the younger and more expensive brother of the Ledger Nano S. The device comes with additional storage, a larger screen, and more features when compared to its predecessor.

With Ledger devices, you can store more than 2000 cryptocurrencies and ERC-20 tokens with maximum security and only access and send them using manual authorization. Additionally, the minimalistic interface of the wallet’s extension makes it easy to check upon your funds at any time.

10. Encrypted USB drive (32GB)

Looking for a safe way to store your keys? Keeping information on your computer may be a risky thing to do, but when you place it on an encrypted, password-protected USB, you may just have found the perfect solution.

Encrypted USBs are often used by military personnel to protect a company or individual’s intellectual property. You can set the password yourself and use the sequence of numbers to safely access your backup phrase and private key(s).

If the budget allows, you can upgrade by investing in a password-protected external hard drive, which is also used for similar purposes.

Wrapping up

In this article, we described the best ways to gift Bitcoin for Christmas, as well as numerous creative Bitcoin gifts to increase mainstream adoption.

This year, when you find yourself sitting at the Christmas table, don’t hesitate to talk about Bitcoin to all your family and friends.

We are now at a crucial moment in Bitcoin’s evolution and, the more people you manage to introduce to the digital currency, the better it will be for the coin’s growth potential.

Once again, let’s line up all the gifts we talked about in this article:

• Hand-made paper wallet with Bitcoin
• Hardware wallet (Opendime) with Bitcoin
• A great Bitcoin-themed book
• Bitcoin socks 5-pack
• Illuminated 3D Bitcoin lamp
• Billfodl – Stainless steel Bitcoin wallet
• “Ask me about Bitcoin” T-shirt
• Bitcoin-themed cufflinks
• Mug with humorous Bitcoin quote
• Yubico Security key NFC
• Trezor One (or Trezor model T)
• Ledger Nano X
• Encrypted USB stick

If you have any more questions, make sure to let us know in the comment section below. We will do our best to answer your questions and update the article as deemed necessary.

Written by

Dimitris Tsapis

Dimitris writes content related to the Blockchain and cryptocurrencies but also on topics related to digital marketing.