Asking for a gift contribution from others can feel awkward. It shouldn’t. Turns out, family members and close friends want to give a more meaningful gift at special occasions. In fact, Fidelity Investments found that a whooping 90% of grandparents would be open to making a 529 contribution if asked. And with the rise of crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, people are getting used to contributing to causes they care about. Still, taking that first step can be challenging.

Here are a few tips for making the conversation easier.

Make it personal.

Start by sharing your request with close relatives and friends who you know care deeply about your family. Whether you prefer an email, a phone call or a face-to-face conversation, share why a contribution would be meaningful.

It could be that you want to instill a value for education from a young age. Maybe you want to start teaching the importance of saving towards goals early. Perhaps you think of it as a way to reduce the waste your family creates. Whatever your reasons, don’t be afraid to share them.

Put it at the top of the wish list.

Grandparents, aunts and godparents are going to ask what your child wants for the holidays. Putting a 529 contribution to The Education Plan at the top of the list makes the conversation easy.

Let them know a small contribution can make a big difference.

Covering the cost of college in the future can feel huge compared to what someone is prepared to spend on a holiday gift. Share with them how much a small gift contribution to The Education Plan today can grow significantly over time. The minimum contribution through the UGift program is just $25.

Have a couple of small traditional gift suggestions ready.

Avoid any disappointment and still share in the joy of a young child unwrapping a gift in-hand by getting them a small toy in addition to making a contribution into their 529 plan. Plus, there's a good chance  you'll get a state income tax break on your gift contribution to add to your holiday cheer.