Money Watch: Be a souvenir hunter for 2000 and clock up a profit

IF you don't like the idea of giving shares as a present but still want your gift to increase in value, go for a collectors' item.

Thousands of ranges have been produced to mark the Millennium, including special limited editions of Sindy and Barbie dolls.

The Millennium Sindy (limited to 40,000) costs pounds 11.99, while the Millennium Barbie version costs pounds 35.

For the boys there is Action Man in a special space suit on Mission 2000. His detachable belt pack doubles as a child's watch.

To maximise future value, it is worth bearing in mind that at auctions, boxes from old toys are often more valuable than the toys themselves.

You could always opt for a good old-fashioned game. Scrabble and Monopoly have produced special versions in commemorative tins. Scrabble comes in a limited edition of 20,000 and costs pounds 39.99, while Monopoly 2000 has a board of holographic foil and luminous hotels and houses at pounds 39.99.

Ceramics companies including Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Royal Worcester and Moorcroft are also releasing one-offs - Moorcroft have a Kiribati vase at pounds 155 - while Bronte Porcelain is selling 2,000 Millennium Man candlesnuffers in a choice of three colours for pounds 195 each.

Teddy Bears of Witney have commissioned a Millennium bear from Steiff called George. He costs pounds 145 - but none of Steiff's limited edition bears has ever dropped in value.

Meanwhile, Swatch have made a pounds 57.50 Millennium Bug watch that actually goes wrong for 24 hours on the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. A total of 30,000 Gub 2000s are being sold by the company.

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