There's nothing better than seeing a loved one's reaction after you give them the perfect present. This year it might be on Zoom, but giving something that brings joy can be the ultimate gift. At the same time, we know that figuring out that perfect gift for everyone can take more energy than balancing WFH with managing your child's virtual school (yes, it can be that bad). We're here to make it easy with our gift guide for everyone in your life, and don't worry- we won't suggest socks. Read on for gifts for friends and families at all price points, plus a special holiday gift from us to you!
Grandparents
- An acrylic photo of all the grandkids is the perfect way to capture their favorite humans. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and the images look like they're suspended in glass.
- This literal family tree can be customized to fit up to six generations and is a unique way to preserve the family history.
Partner
- Sick of cooking at home? A meal kit subscription will give you restaurant-quality food without the long prep times in the safety of your own home. Order from your favorite meal prep company and offer to cook!
- If you are running out of ideas for date night, this 100 dates poster will give you plenty of inspiration. When you need an idea, scratch off a square for a new activity! Bonus: most of the activities are low cost or free!
Siblings and friends
- For the friend whose working from home with kids, noise-canceling headphones will make a big difference. Lifewire has the breakdown of the best noise-canceling headphones of 2020.
- Nothing is worse for coffee lovers than when their coffee gets cold after chasing their kids around all morning. This Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer will keep their coffee hot all morning, no matter how many distractions they face.
College students
- It's easy to miss home while you're away at school, but Homesick candles bring the scent of your hometown with you to make the transition a little bit easier.
- The college student in your life probably isn't heading to any concerts or parties anytime soon. A Bluetooth speaker that can bring the music to their dorm room is a great gift. Bonus points if it's waterproof!
Teens
Tweens
- This personalized hometown puzzle is a fun activity for when you're spending more time inside. Input your street address, and you'll get a puzzle of the area surrounding your house.
- A RipStik is a fun way to get your kids some fresh air. They'll be practicing outside for hours. If a RipStik isn't right for them, consider a pogo stick or scooter!
6-9 year-olds
- Walkie talkies are a great gift. They'll get your kids moving around the house and outside to test them out.
- For science lovers, this volcano making kit is a great experiment to run. It even comes with a lab pad to make cleanup easy!
3-6 year-olds
- A [starter arts and craft set] is a great gift for the creative kids in your life!
- We all know how much kids love slime. This confetti slime kit makes it easy to create fun and colorful slime to entertain kids for hours.
- This classic construction set will be just as fun as legos without you in agony after stepping on ones that blend in with the carpet.
Babies
- These wooden puzzles are a classic gift to help teach hand-eye coordination. They also teach shapes, animals, and more, depending on which puzzles you pick.
- For the baby who loves animals already, this pull along pup is a great starter pet. It will never leave your baby's side!
All of these gifts are sure to put a smile on your friends' and family's faces, but there is one gift that stands out to us above all. The gift of education is one that keeps on growing. A 529 plan is a great gift for kids 0-18 and parents of all ages, and it just gets better over time. The money you put in today will grow to provide your child with a lifetime of opportunity. You've probably heard us plug 529s before, so we won't bore you with the details of how your money will grow tax-free with compound interest for years at rates unmatched by savings accounts. Instead, we'll tell you about how we'll contribute to your 529 plan this year. Say what??
What we want for Christmas is an end to thoughtless gifting that only leads to fake smiles and wasted money, so this holiday season, we will be matching all outside contributions to your Scholar Raise plan, up to $12.25. Why $12.25? Because it's the average price of the pair of socks that everybody gets, but nobody really wants.
To make it easy, we have a
downloadable gift card template for you to use, so that you still have something to slip into a stocking or holiday card. Plus, there are no contribution minimums. Now is a great time to remind your loved ones that they can contribute easily to your child's education. And if you don't have a plan yet, now is a great time to start one!
If you end up getting one of these gifts, tag us on social. We would love to see!
