I feel like 529 gifts are for family - my parents give us 529 money for holidays and birthdays, but it would be weird if a friend did. Get something the kid will enjoy - especially at this age. If it was a one year old birthday, sure 529 would be fine, but a 5 year old will want something tangible.

No - get a $20 Target gift card. My 6 year old really enjoyed going to Target and picking out her own gift when she got one of those this year.

For close friends and family who you know already have accounts in place, I think it’s a very generous idea. Otherwise it is presumptuous

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

Yep for a 4 year old birthday we were invited to with “no present”, we gave a card with $30 cash. Written in card was happy birthday and gift for his 529 or college fund.

With regular birthdays the kids get a ton of presents so I love the idea of 529 gift. The child won’t even realize it’s 1 less present out of many and it’s 1 less clutter for the house.

If your house is that cluttered, stop buying stuff. Or, get rid of stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

Yep for a 4 year old birthday we were invited to with “no present”, we gave a card with $30 cash. Written in card was happy birthday and gift for his 529 or college fund.

With regular birthdays the kids get a ton of presents so I love the idea of 529 gift. The child won’t even realize it’s 1 less present out of many and it’s 1 less clutter for the house.

Since the kid is turning 5 yrs old, you have to remember they are into tangible gifts. Giving a 529 is like telling trying to explain thermodynamics to them and, by the way, happy birthday buddy.

Do you have the kid's SSN? You'll need that for a 529 contribution.

If you're set on the 529, give that along with a small gift (Water Wow booklet, small puzzle, etc) so the kid has something to open.

Its a nice thought but get a gift, even a small one. A gift card to Target or a favorite restaurant is great. My sister, no kids, got a gift card to my child's favorite restaurant which covered a few meals for a few visits and it was great idea.

Anonymous wrote:Lame grandma idea.

A gift card would be better than that if you don't want to get a toy or book.

Gotta disagree. Fabulous gift.

Anonymous wrote:Be sure to knit them a sweater for Christmas while you're at it.

LOL!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

See OP? This is why you don't need to worry that the kid will be left empty-handed and traumatized.

An aunt used to send me a $10 check every birthday, which my parents deposited into a credit union for me. It was a cute oddity to me then, but I appreciated the extra pocket change once I was old enough to want to treat myself.

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I'd love it. The kid will get enough junk toys from other people.

Another parent who loves it. Just a book or an ice cream outing, and the 529 (assuming you are local). I would totally appreciate this!

Anonymous wrote:The parents will love it. The 5 year old will think that you didn't bring a gift, but he also won't care.

Sure, but when he's 18 he will care more. I liked looking over who gave me treasury bonds when I cashed them in for college.

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

This is worse than giving them socks and underwear.

The parents will love it. The 5 year old will think that you didn't bring a gift, but he also won't care.