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A Great Gift Might Not Fit in a Box

Every Christmas season, it’s easy to get swept up in the chase for the “perfect” gift. Between Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday trends, our focus can drift from the true reason we celebrate: the birth of Jesus Christ and the time we cherish with family and friends.

The truth is that while the world pushes us to go bigger when gifting every year, the items under big flashy signs don’t always make for the most meaningful gifts. In fact, they might not even fit in a box.

In my own family, the most meaningful gifts have rarely been the most expensive ones. They’ve been the ones that left a lasting impact; the ones that truly fit where we were in life; the ones that meet a real need or open the door to a new future. For children or grandchildren, that might not be a toy – it might just be an investment in their education.

The Mississippi College and Career Savings program, offered through the State Treasury, offers exclusive gifting opportunities to Mississippians. For those looking for an alternative to a gift card, the Treasury’s MACS accounts allow families to contribute as little as $25 to a college savings plan. These tax-advantaged savings accounts can then be used on everything from laptops to apprenticeship programs to tuition at all levels (from kindergarten through post-secondary). Learn more about gifting options at treasury.ms.gov/macs.

For those looking to make a more sizeable contribution, purchasing an MPACT plan for a child or grandchild can set them up for a debt-free education. These plans allow families to lock in today’s tuition rate and pre-pay tuition altogether. Learn more about gifting options at treasury.ms.gov/mpact.

And while we’re on the topic of holiday shopping, let me offer one more tip to help with that holiday spending: Take a moment (right now, if you can) to search for unclaimed money in your name. It’s quick, it’s free, and it could put a little extra cushion in your wallet this season. Visit treasury.ms.gov/search to check.

As you consider gifting this year, I encourage you to think outside the box. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas.