The Gift of Education: “The Best Gifts Come in Small Packages”

Let’s be honest—holiday shopping can feel like an Olympic sport. You sprint through malls, dodge crowds, and try to decide if you should get toys, books, or clothes for your nieces and nephews. Holiday shopping lists often feel overwhelming. Imagine giving a meaningful gift this year that won’t require you to wait in another long line to buy it. Consider giving the gift of education. It is a meaningful and long-lasting investment in a child’s life.

With  Washington Education Savings Plans, GET and WA529 Invest, you save for tomorrow’s higher education costs today in a tax-advantaged way. It doesn’t come in a big, shiny box to open, and it won’t light up or make noise (thank goodness). But it might just be the smartest, most thoughtful gift you ever give. After all, “the best gifts do come in small packages”. In this case, that small package grows into secure (tax-free) education funds that support a child’s dreams. 

“Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”

At first glance, making a gift contribution to an education savings account doesn’t exactly scream “exciting”. The box is not very big, there is no squeal of surprise, and chances are, it wasn’t on their wish list. But “don’t judge a book by its cover”. What looks like a boring, simple deposit that they won’t use today will help cover the “burden” of higher education costs in their future (which they will be eternally grateful for).

Think about it: the latest toy or tech gadget could be obsolete by next year, while a gift contribution to GET or WA529 Invest account will quietly build value—like a hard-working elf in the background. 

“Size Doesn’t Matter” (Not When It Comes to Education Savings)

Some people are overwhelmed with the idea of saving for higher education because they think they need to save enough to cover the whole cost. That would be nice (in an ideal world), but for most of us, it simply isn’t realistic. Size really doesn’t matter. With WA529, you can start small and make a significant impact in a child’s future by saving what you can, when you can.  

Whether you start with $25 or $250, every contribution adds up over time and helps a child pursue their dreams after high school. As a parent of two recent college grads, I can tell you that all our seemingly small gifts/contributions turned out to be the best gift we ever gave our children! The purpose of a 529 plan, like GET and WA529 Invest, is to make saving easy, flexible, and accessible. Every dollar you save gets you closer to covering some, most, or all of a child’s higher education costs, no matter what path they choose.

“The Proof Is in the Pudding”

If making a contribution to a 529 education savings plan as a holiday present sounds too practical, not fun enough, or makes you feel like a holiday fruitcake, don’t worry, you are not alone. However, the proof is in the pudding; WA529 has been helping Washington families save for college for over 25 years, and gift contributions are not uncommon. Thousands of families use GET and WA529 Invest savings to cover higher education expenses at schools worldwide every year, reducing or eliminating the burden of student loan debt.  

Anyone can easily make a gift contribution to GET or WA529 Invest and help a child’s education savings grow. Family (and friends) can make gift contributions a tradition for birthdays, milestones, holidays, and other special occasions. 

“Give and You Shall Receive”

Here’s the irony of giving the gift of education: give and you shall receive. Maybe not right away—but years from now, you will see and feel the payoff when the child for whom you’re saving walks across a graduation stage. You’ll have the privilege of knowing, “I helped make that happen”, and you might even receive the gift of gratitude in return.

“It’s the Thought That Counts”

Loved ones might not squeal when they open an envelope and find a GET or a WA529 Invest gift certificate instead of a new smartwatch. However, when it comes to meaningful gifts, it really is the thought that counts. You’re not just giving money—you’re showing a child you believe in their dreams. You're giving Opportunity, and paving a path toward a bright future.

Wrapping up: “The Best is Yet to Come”

Long after the wrapping paper is gone and the excitement about holiday gifts is forgotten, a child will always remember the gift that made a difference. When they graduate with little to no student debt, they might even forgive you for not buying them the smartwatch they were hoping for.

This holiday season, skip some of the chaos and give a small package with a BIG gift inside. Whether it’s for your kids, grandkids, or a special little someone in your life who probably already has too many toys, consider contributing to an education savings account in their name. It may not jingle, sparkle, or come with a remote control, but it is the gift where “the best is yet to come”. When it comes to a child’s future, the best gifts definitely come in small packages (or envelopes), and the return on your investment is absolutely priceless.