How to Buy US Saving Bonds for Gifts (Online)

You can buy US savings bonds as gifts for any occasion and in several denominations. If the stock market looks too risky, look at the US Savings Bond program to give as gifts. These bonds are fully guaranteed by the US government.

Savings bonds can be purchased directly if you have an account with the Treasury. You don’t need a broker or a broker account and incur no brokerage fees.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet
• Some money

1. 
   US saving bonds

   Buy an Electronic Gift Bond. You’ll need to open a Treasury Direct account and need to keep them in your account until ready to give out. The person receiving the gift also needs to have a Treasury Direct account to receive the gift electronically. Opening an account at the Treasury is totally free.

2. 
   US Saving bonds

   Buy a Paper Gift Bond. Visit any financial institution, a bank, a brokerage house, fill out the bond purchase application and pay the purchase price. You'll receive the saving bond in a couple of weeks in the mail. The financial institution can also mail the bond directly to the recipient of the gift at your request.

3. 
   US Saving bonds

   Buy a Gift certificate at the Treasury. When you give a paper savings bond, you may not get the bond in time to deliver it as a gift. However, you can print a gift certificate to present to the recipient. The gift certificate can be personalized according to the occasion and it can be printed.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the Treasury Direct website

[kaytay]

on 3/4/2009 Such a great idea. My mom always bought these for my kids on special occasions. 5*

[sneedc]

on 1/13/2009 My son is 14 and desperaate to cash in on one of the ones he got at his baptism! lol. It's probably worth like 20 bucks at this point. GREAT IDEA for gifts that keep maturing! 5*

[MSmith]

on 1/10/2009 Great idea. I should consider this option for my daughter. Thanks fof the info.

[QueenofMisc]

on 1/10/2009 Awesome! :-)

[bossypants]

on 1/10/2009 I did this for my friends' children through payroll savings at my job. Not so exciting or glamorous, until they got to be college age and needed the money! You provide good options for buying savings bonds as gifts. Thanks!