Gifts of Significance: What They Are and Why They Matter in Your Will
There is something deeply personal about choosing who receives the things that have shaped your life.
Some gifts carry more than monetary value. They hold memories, meaning, and the stories that connect us to the people and places we love. At Footprint, we call these gifts of significance, which are things you want to gift intentionally before the remainder of your estate is distributed to your beneficiaries.
These are the items, assets, or portions of your estate that stand out because they represent something truly special. They might be treasured family heirlooms, meaningful cultural items, or even a percentage of an asset you want to direct toward a cause close to your heart.
A gift of significance is your way of passing on more than possessions. It is a way of passing on values, traditions, culture, and personal meaning through your Will.
If you are ready to begin, you can create your Will online with Footprint and include the gifts that matter most.
What Is a Gift of Significance?
A gift of significance is any item or portion of your estate that you choose to leave to a specific person, group, or organisation.
These gifts are included in your Will so your wishes are clearly documented and easier to carry out. They are often the items that cannot be replaced because they carry personal, cultural, or historical meaning.
A gift of significance can be valuable, sentimental, cultural, or simply important to you, regardless of its financial worth.
Including these gifts clearly in your Will helps reduce ambiguity and supports a smoother process for your loved ones.
Do You Need to Name Every Beneficiary or Item?
Not always.
If you are leaving your entire estate to one person, such as your spouse or partner, you may not need to individually list every item as a gift of significance. Your Will can simply state that your entire estate goes to them.
However, gifts of significance become especially useful when you want specific people to receive specific items or amounts. For example, you might want your engagement ring to go to your child, a collection to stay in the family, or a meaningful personal item to go to a close friend.
By naming these gifts clearly, you reduce uncertainty and help ensure your wishes are honoured exactly as you intended.
If you want to create a Will that is clear and easy for your loved ones to follow, Footprint’s guided Will Builder helps you list meaningful gifts in a straightforward way.
Why Gifts of Significance Matter in Your Will
When someone passes away, it can be a difficult time for the people left behind. Emotions run high, and important decisions can quickly become stressful.
A clear Will can reduce confusion, and gifts of significance add another layer of clarity and care.
Taking the time to list meaningful gifts can help:
Reduce misunderstandings and conflict
Protect important family and cultural items
Honour your connection to charities or causes
Bring comfort to loved ones through the stories your gifts carry
Your Will is more than a legal document. It reflects your values, priorities, and the legacy you want to leave behind. Gifts of significance help communicate that clearly and thoughtfully.
If you have been putting off writing your Will, this can be a practical and meaningful place to start.
How to Add Gifts of Significance in Footprint’s Will Builder
Footprint’s guided process makes it simple to include meaningful gifts with clarity and confidence.
You can:
Select individual items
Add clear descriptions so your wishes are easy to understand
Choose who receives each gift
Allocate a percentage or monetary amount to a person or charity
Include cultural gifts and family heirlooms
You can also choose to take photos of the items and store it with your Will. The Footprint Will It package also provides a digital vault, perfect for storing photos and descriptions of items.
A Reminder to Keep Your Gifts of Significance Up to Date
It is important to remember that gifts of significance are usually distributed before the rest of your estate is shared among your remaining beneficiaries.
That is why keeping your Will up to date matters.
For example, if you leave a special gift to someone and you no longer have that item anymore, it can create delays and additional fees while they attempt to locate the item.
To help avoid complications, it is a good idea to:
Review your Will regularly
Confirm the people named are still the right recipients
Keep contact details up to date where possible
This simple step supports a smoother process for everyone you care about and helps ensure your wishes are honoured just as you planned.
If it has been a while since you last reviewed your Will, now is a good opportunity to check that it still reflects your current circumstances and intentions.
Your Legacy Is Personal
A gift of significance is not about the size or value of the gift. It is about the intention behind it.
Whether it is a treasured heirloom or a simple item filled with memory, these gifts help you shape your legacy in a thoughtful and personal way.
If you are ready to protect what makes your story unique, you can create your Footprint Will online now in just a few minutes and take the first step in protecting the people who matter most.
