Think Outside the Gift Box
Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner, and getting a jump on your gift-giving will make the season less stressful. Toys break and money disappears quickly; alternatives to traditional gifts can make a lasting difference. Here are four ideas for gifts with impact in 2021.
Save For the Future
A lasting holiday gift that will never be broken, outgrown, or forgotten is a contribution to a 529 college savings plan. It’s also a great way to show children that you believe in them and to demonstrate the importance of higher education early on.
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged college savings account that can help families attain their educational goals and reduce student loan debt. The holiday season is the perfect time of year to get an account going for a loved one, or to make a contribution to an existing account.
With a tax-advantaged college savings account with The Education Plan®, a little can go a long way. With the benefit of compounded interest, even $20 deposited today has the potential to grow and help students avoid debt tomorrow. And there may be tax benefits for the gift giver too, making it a double win.
If your kids have a 529 account, encourage friends and family to give contributions in lieu of toys or cash, and ask if you can give a 529 account contribution to the kids and teens on your holiday shopping list. Although children may not understand the value of the gift now, you can be sure that they will thank you later as college approaches.
Not sure how to ask friends and family for a 529 gift contribution? We put together a few tips for asking for one here. You can learn more about college savings gifting and download easy-to-use holiday gift certificate templates here.
Keep It Local
With the COVID-19 pandemic, many small local businesses have suffered. The busiest shopping season is approaching and your business means more now than ever. Search out local vendors who offer the goods and services you’re looking for, or adjust your list to bring your friends and family gifts with meaning from people in your community.
This could mean visiting a local arts fair with your list in hand, catering a meal for the special people in your life from a local restaurant, or giving the kids in your life coupons for experiences around town (think ice cream date, tea with grandma or a shopping spree at a local bookstore), instead of ordering things online.
Make It Yourself
When you put time into a gift, people notice. Handmade gifts like baked goods, knitted items, paintings or other crafts are a meaningful way to show you care. They can also be a great way to get kids involved in the gifting process. Encourage them to help you make a batch of grandma’s favorite cookies, or a photo album for aunts and uncles.
Spend Time Together
Sometimes the best gift is an unforgettable memory. Think about the things you enjoy doing with your family and friends, and then how you can turn those activities into holiday gifts. Maybe it’s a family vacation to a nearby town, a wine tasting with your girlfriends, or a pottery painting class with the kids.
The holidays can also be a great time of year to establish traditions that involve giving back in your community. That could involve a volunteering trip, or picking out gifts for children in need with your family members. There are endless ways to create experiences and memories that will last longer than most gifts that get wrapped and placed under a tree.
Prioritizing Your Choices
There are many types of gifts you can make or participate in during the holidays that do not come wrapped in a traditional gift box. While physical gifts are popular, why not focus this year on meaningful gifts that will last.
A contribution to a 529 college savings plan is a go-to gift that’s easy and means a lot. At The Education Plan®, we make the process of gift-giving straightforward and uncomplicated with Ugift. This platform generates a unique gift code that makes it easy for loved ones to contribute to an account.
Don’t get caught up in the frenzy of the holidays. When relatives or friends ask, “What should I give this year?” Direct them to a 529 plan. Then ask them if they have a 529 account you can contribute to, too. Explain to them that this is a gift that prioritizes education and eases the financial worries of the future. Make it a yearly tradition and watch investments grow as the children do, providing peace of mind for tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment account that is designed to grow savings for future education expenses for a specified beneficiary. 529 plans offer unique benefits and features that make them an appealing strategy for education related saving.
A 529 plan can be used for “qualified educational expenses.” For federal tax purposes, qualified educational expenses include:
- Tuition and fees at accredited higher education institutions
- Books
- Supplies and equipment
- Room and board for beneficiaries attending on at least a half-time basis.
- Computer technology, equipment, and internet access
- Up to $10,000 a year for K-12 tuition and expenses (Limit increase to $20,000 in 2026)
- Expenses for educational special needs services
- Transfers to an ABLE account for the beneficiary (transfer subject to annual limit)
- Apprenticeship expenses
- Up to $10,000 for student loan repayment
- Credentialing expenses and certification programs
- Roth IRA rollover for the beneficiary
If you're not sure if an expense is considered "qualified," we recommend consulting with a tax professional or advisor. Unqualified expenses will be treated like ordinary income: state and federal taxes will apply, with a 10% federal penalty for withdrawals from your 529 plan used to pay for them.
New Mexico residents can deduct contributions to The Education Plan from their state taxable income each year. This includes contributions made to an account that you are not the account owner of.
You cannot deduct contributions from federal income taxes.
Any person at least 18 years old with a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) can open a 529 account. The account holder chooses the investment options, designates a beneficiary, and requests the distribution of funds.
The cost of college continues to rise, including tuition, housing, food and supplies, so it’s important to begin saving as soon as possible. You can learn more about how much a typical college education costs on our Cost of College page. It’s never too early or too late to start.
The Education Plan offers a variety of investment options to fit you and your family’s needs, risk tolerance and goals. You can see all of the available investment portfolios on the investments page.
Yes, you can use up to $20,000* a year to cover tuition and expenses for K-12 education.
Qualified K-12 expenses include:
- Tuition (public, private, and religious)
- Curriculum materials, books (including digital/online) and instructional materials
- Tutoring and instructional classes**
- Fees for a nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test, an advanced placement examination, or any examinations related to college or university admission
- Dual enrollment program fees
Educational therapies for students with disabilities provided by a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider, including occupational, behavioral, physical, and speech-language therapies
*Starting in tax year 2026. The annual limit is $10,000 in tax year 2025 and permitted for tuition only.
**Tuition for tutoring or educational classes outside of the home, including at a tutoring facility, but only if the tutor or instructor is not related to the student and—
(i) is licensed as a teacher in any State,
(ii) has taught at an eligible educational institution,
or (iii) is a subject matter expert in the relevant subject.
You can open an account with The Education Plan online or by mailing in the enrollment form. In order to open an account, you will need the following information:
- Your social security number or TIN
- Your address
- Your bank account information (in order to fund the account)
- The beneficiary’s social security number or TIN
- The beneficiary’s birthday
-The beneficiary’s address
