How to Turn Year-End Gift Giving Into Smart Estate Planning

If you've got children or grandchildren on your holiday gift list, instead of just buying sweaters or electronic gadgets, try turning your year-end gift giving into smart estate planning, too.

Tax experts say that before 2010 comes to a close, many older Americans, retirees and well-heeled individuals can use several year-end gift giving strategies to take advantage of current, more favorable estate tax laws and plan for upcoming changes scheduled to occur in 2011.