Finding the perfect gift for someone can be a struggle. However, there's one gift that nobody ever returns: Money.

We've all received a $20 bill in a card, and that's always nice on your birthday or around the holidays. Plop it in your wallet and treat yourself to lunch next time you're out running errands.

Gift Ideas: What To Give

But the glory of money is that it can grow, sometimes by as much as 3 or 4 percent each year. It's hard to name another gift with that kind of quantitative return.

The U.S. savings bond has been a favorite gift of many grandparents, These low-risk notes double in value in a decade. The benefit of a savings bond is that there is little to no risk to them, and they are generally not susceptible to the ups and downs of the stock market or the economy.

"Giving savings bonds is a good way to teach kids about investing and could give them something to look forward to once they're older," Associated Press business reporter Erin Conroy wrote in a Q and A article on savings bonds.

The catch is that you just have to wait years to cash in on them.

College Fund Contributions

The cost of college grows every year. If the person on your gift list is younger, odds are they have steep tuition bills in their future. You can help curb future education costs by setting up a 529 account for him or her.

A 529 plan is designed to encourage saving for future college costs. The plans are sponsored by states, state agencies or educational institutions and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Like savings bonds, however, it may be difficult to convince a younger recipient of the value of a 529 over the hot new toy or gadget of the year.

Charitable Donations

A donation to charity does not necessarily grow in value like the products mentioned above, however, it can bring a sense of satisfaction to the recipient's need to help others and do right by their community.

Historically, charitable donations were a bit challenging for a couple reasons. First, you have to pick a charity that the recipient actually believes in and values for the gift to have meaning.

Second, once a donation has been made in your recipient's name, there's the possibility that the charity could bombard them in the future with unwanted solicitations.

However, the idea of a charity gift card is now being offered by sites such as JustGive.org.

It works like a regular gift card except that only certified non-profits can cash in on the amount that you gave as a gift. It allows you to give the gift of a donation without having to guess at what charity your recipient might like.