Looking for the ideal holiday gift? How about helping pay off a loved one's student loans?

We're used to putting smartphones, video games, and jewelry on our holiday gift lists.

But payments on a loved one's student loan?

That will be an option this holiday season, with a new gifting platform from the student loan app Pillar.

Through a platform dubbed Boost, Pillar users can invite relatives and friends to contribute towards a goal that helps wind down their student loan debt. The option will be available from Dec. 17 through Jan. 6. Pillar, which streamlines the payment process for its users, will apply the donations directly. 

During the first week, Pillar will also take an extra step to help some users chip away at their debt by gifting them between $25 to $250.

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"Paying back student loan debt is one of the greatest challenges Americans face today,'' says Michael Bloch, Pillar's founder and CEO. "Millions of people feel ashamed of having it. Boost encourages people to share their stories with their family and friends so they can help them get out of debt faster."

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In the U.S. 45.1 million Americans are carrying $1.6 billion in student loan debt -- roughly $35,000 per borrower, says Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of research for Savingforcollege.com

Follow Charisse Jones on Twitter @charissejones