Giving a Car for Christmas: A Practical Guide
Giving a car for Christmas takes more planning than any other gift: you have to decide whose name goes on the title and the loan, get insurance in place before the keys change hands, and line up the paperwork before the holidays close the calendar. Here’s how to do it without spoiling the surprise, and how we can help with the bow, the timing and the delivery.
Photo: a GMC Terrain from Jim Taylor Auto Group’s 2026 Christmas commercial.
How to give a car as a gift
- Set the budget and the payment plan. Decide whether you’re paying in full, making the down payment while the recipient makes the monthly payments, or covering the whole loan yourself. That choice decides the rest.
- Decide whose name goes on the title and the loan. The person who signs for the loan is the one responsible for it. If the recipient will make the payments, they’ll usually need to apply and sign, which can spoil a surprise. Talk to our finance team before you pick out the vehicle so the paperwork matches your plan.
- Pick the vehicle for their life, not yours. Think about their commute, who rides with them, where they park and what they can afford to fuel and insure. A Buick Envista or Encore GX suits a commuter or new driver; a GMC Acadia or Yukon suits a growing family.
- Get insurance lined up. Louisiana requires liability coverage before a vehicle is driven, at minimum $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for injuries and $25,000 for property damage. Call the insurance agent before delivery day.
- Finish the paperwork early. Sign, finance and register in early December so nothing waits on holiday closures. If you need a little time before the big day, we can set the vehicle aside for a few days.
- Plan the reveal. We can put a bow on it and deliver it to the house, or you can bring them to the dealership to pick it up. Tell your salesperson which one you want.
A new Buick or GMC
Full factory warranty, the latest safety tech and current manufacturer offers. A good fit when the gift should last them years.
A pre-owned or certified vehicle
A lower price and lower insurance cost, which matters for a first car or a college student. Certified vehicles add GM’s certified pre-owned coverage.
Giving a vehicle you already own
Louisiana uses an Act of Donation
To give a car you already own, Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles uses a notarized Act of Donation along with the signed-over title. Under current Louisiana law, a donated vehicle can generally be titled by the recipient without paying sales tax. We can help you complete and notarize the Act of Donation here at the dealership; call ahead to set a time.
Check with the OMV and your tax preparer
Requirements and fees can change, so confirm with the Louisiana OMV before you go. For federal purposes, gifts above the 2026 annual exclusion of $19,000 per recipient may require a gift tax return, so ask your tax preparer.
Other ways to help with a vehicle
- Cover the down payment so their monthly payment is lower.
- Pay for their first year of maintenance at our certified service department.
- Trade in their old vehicle for them. Get a trade-in estimate online first.
Planning a surprise? Tell us up front
Let your salesperson know it’s a gift and when you want to give it. We’ll handle the bow, set it aside for a few days if you need, and deliver it. Jim Taylor Buick GMC, 500 N 18th St, Monroe. Open Saturdays, closed Sundays.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a car as a surprise gift for someone else?
Yes. How you do it depends on whose name is on the title and the loan. If you’re paying in full, the paperwork is simpler. If the recipient will make the payments, they usually need to apply and sign. Talk to our finance team before you choose a vehicle.
Does the person receiving the car need insurance?
Yes. Louisiana requires liability insurance on a vehicle before it’s driven, with minimums of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for injuries and $25,000 for property damage. Arrange coverage before delivery.
How do I give a car I already own to a family member in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles uses a notarized Act of Donation along with the signed title. Under current law, a donated vehicle can generally be titled without sales tax. Confirm current requirements and fees with the OMV. We can help you complete and notarize the Act of Donation at the dealership.
Can you put a bow on it and deliver it?
Yes. Jim Taylor Buick GMC can put a bow on the vehicle and deliver it, and if you need a little time before you give it, we can set it aside for a few days. Tell your salesperson when you buy.
When should I buy a car for Christmas?
Early December. Finishing the purchase, financing and registration before the holidays avoids closures. Jim Taylor Buick GMC is open Saturdays and closed Sundays; call (318) 387-7022 for holiday hours.