Gift Ideas for Adult Children 

As parents, many of us want to support our children financially, but large gifts aren’t always practical or the right fit. The good news is there are plenty of ways to offer meaningful support, both financially and otherwise, without putting strain on your own plan. Here are a few ideas to consider. 

One-Time Financial Gifts 

One of the simplest ways to provide financial assistance to your children is through small, one-time gifts. This could include helping them pay for car repairs or buying a new suit for a job interview. These types of gifts may seem small, but reliable transportation and good first impressions may help support their efforts as they pursue employment and financial independence. 

Ongoing Financial Gifts 

If you’d like to provide ongoing support to your children, you could consider covering a portion of their expenses, such as their phone bill or car insurance. This type of support can help ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on other areas of their life, such as their education or career. 

Gifts That Help Establish Healthy Financial Habits 

• Matching savings. You can help your child open a savings account by making the initial deposit and/or by matching a portion of your child’s contributions. (Note: In 2026, you may be able to give up to $19,000 per recipient without using lifetime exemption amounts, $38,000 if you’re giving as a married couple, subject to IRS adjustments; additional reporting or tax considerations may apply, particularly for married couples). You can take a similar approach by helping them pay down credit card balances or other debt. Supporting savings or debt reduction may help reinforce positive financial behaviors over time. 

• Fund or match contributions to an IRA. Opening a tax-advantaged individual retirement account (IRA) could be the right move if your child is freelancing or ineligible for a 401(k) plan through their employer. Roth IRAs, funded with after-tax dollars, may offer tax advantages, including tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals if certain conditions are met. 

• Gift shares of stock. Giving them ownership in a company they’re interested in can spark an interest in investing. Options might include businesses in areas like entertainment, technology, apparel, or socially responsible investing. 

Non-Financial Gifts 

• Offer assistance. Offering to help your child with their job search by reviewing their resume or providing networking opportunities can be incredibly beneficial. You could also offer to provide childcare or pet-sitting services to help your child save money on those expenses. 

• Offer advice and education. Many young adults haven’t had much exposure to managing their finances, so sharing your experience and perspective can be especially valuable. You could help them create a budget or teach them about the basics of investing. 

Providing assistance to your children doesn’t always require financial gifts. Small, one-time gifts or ongoing support with expenses can be just as valuable, as can non-financial assistance such as job search help or childcare. Starting with small gifts can be a good way to test your child’s financial responsibility before making larger gifts. 

A financial advisor may be a valuable resource when it comes to determining what types of gifts or assistance are appropriate given your financial plan. They may be able to help you understand how much you can afford to give and what types of gifts might make the most sense given your financial goals. They may also provide general guidance on how gifts could be structured from a tax perspective. 

This is intended for informational purposes only. You should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this document serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Savant. Please consult your investment professional regarding your unique situation.