The holiday season may be filled with excitement, but it often brings a whirlwind of responsibilities, too. Year-end tasks at work, social gatherings, shopping, and planning can pile up quickly. With so much happening at once, there’s little time to stand in long lines or spend hours online hunting for the perfect toy or game. And while online ordering is convenient, unpredictable shipping windows can leave you wondering whether your gifts will arrive in time, especially as the month comes to a close.

Avoid those lines and enjoy more time with family by giving a gift that will set children up for future success and will always arrive on time—the gift of educational savings. The Education Plan® makes it easy to make a 529 college savings plan gift contribution or open a new account for anyone on your holiday list.

What is a 529 Plan?

A 529 plan with The Education Plan is a smart, tax-advantaged way to save for future education expenses and reduce the burden of student loan debt. Whether you want to save for education goals for a loved one or yourself, a 529 plan can help any aspiring student, regardless of age, career path or socioeconomic status.

How to Contribute

The holidays are the perfect time of year to open a new account or contribute to an account for a child or loved one. It’s not the latest toy, but it is a gift that lasts forever, easing the financial burden of future college expenses for parents and children.

At first, some children may not understand the value of the gift, but this is a great, teachable moment. Discuss the importance of money and its impact on your child’s future. Emphasize the power of saving, particularly for big expenses like college. Explain the benefits and encourage them to contribute as well, perhaps even that $20 bill from grandma.

To give to someone with an existing 529 account with The Education Plan®, ask the plan holder to set up a gifting code you can use to contribute. It’s simple and easy to do. If you’d like to open a new account for a loved one, you can get started here.

Whether it’s for your own child, a niece or nephew, a grandchild or even a friend’s child, a 529 contribution is a gift that will never get outgrown, misplaced or broken. You can find a variety of downloadable holiday gift certificates and learn more about gifting a 529 contribution on The Education Plan® gifting page.