6 Financial Gift Ideas for the Holidays

The goal of every holiday gift-giving list is to delight the recipient and give them something that will reap rewards all year long. That’s why your list should include financial gifts. They can help your loved one learn how to save money for the future, provide a sense of security, give to others and grow their savings. Who wouldn’t love that kind of present?

So whether you’re thinking about financial gifts for grandchildren or something to give your college-bound child, here are six finance-related gifts that are just the right fit for everyone on your holiday giving list.

For Young Adults: Time With a Pro

Young professionals and those who are in mid-career are probably just starting to think about their financial future, whether it’s saving for a down payment on a home or starting to plan for retirement. One of the best gifts you can give them is  a financial planning session. Not only will you encourage them to start a relationship with an advisor that can continue for a long time, but they’ll start building good habits now.

For College-Bound Kids: A 529 Savings Plan

College is expensive, and costs are only rising. So consider helping your favorite future scholar cover the cost of their college education by starting (or contributing to) a 529 plan. 529 plans, which are operated by individual states or educational institutions, are tax-advantaged investment accounts that help save for future education expenses.

The rules, limits and tax deductibles for contributions to a 529 plan can change from year to year, so check out the IRS’s guidelines and talk to your financial advisor about the best course of action. Your financial advisor can also help you decide between a college savings plan, which is an investment in future educational expenses, and a prepaid tuition plan that allows you to prepay tuition at current rates.

For the Teenagers in Your Life: Stocks

You could buy a teenager the newest sneakers or electronic gadgets. But consider instead giving them stock in the companies that make those products! You might be surprised to know that, given the ease of investing through apps and the Internet, 54% of Gen Z holds some kind of investment, and a quarter own cryptocurrencies and stocks.

Stocks allow teens and young adults to actually own a part of the brands they love. And thanks to the value of compound interest, a small investment now can pay dividends in the future — though recipients will have to pay taxes if the stocks are sold at a gain in the future. 

For the Littlest Investors: Savings Bonds

Remember when your grandparents handed out savings bonds for special occasions? These old-school financial gifts for kids have never gone out of style.

The government-backed bonds come in denominations as low as $25. And while there’s only a modest return on bonds —Treasury Department EE bonds issued between May 1 and October 31, 2025 earn annual fixed rates of 2.70% — bonds are a valuable investment gift for a child that can help teach them about savings and investing.

You can easily purchase bonds electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

For the Person Who Has Everything: A Charitable Donation

In lieu of giving a fancy candle or generic gift card, make a donation to your loved one’s favorite charity. You can ask the nonprofit organization to send a note to the recipient letting them know that a donation has been made in their name.

There’s another reason that 30% of annual donations are made in December: You’ll likely get a tax deduction for your donation, making it a gift for you, too. (Check with the organization to make sure your donation is tax-deductible.)

For Anyone: An App or Subscription

Most people could use a leg up in the budgeting or investing app department. Maybe they’ve mentioned being interested in checking out an app for money management, saving money, personal budgeting or home inventory. Or perhaps they want to subscribe to a business or finance magazine or website. The holidays are a great time to give the gift of knowledge and organization to a loved one — and as a bonus, you can often get a deal on subscriptions during the holiday season, too.

Save and Invest All Year

Talk to Farm Bureau about financial gifts that recipients will treasure long after the holidays.

 
^{Neither the Company nor its agents or advisors give tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your professional advisor in these areas.}