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No matter what occasion, birthday, graduation, Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Day, Mother’s day, or Father’s day, It’s always a good time to give money as a gift!
Creating the perfect gift for a loved one can be tricky. With gift-giving occasions coming up all the time, it can be hard to find something meaningful and unique that won’t break the bank. If you’re feeling stuck, why not consider giving money? Money gifts can be creative and memorable if done properly. You just need to know the right tricks and techniques. In this article, you’ll learn creative ways to give money that your recipient will remember for years to come. From cleverly disguised cash boxes to money necklaces you’re sure to find an idea that will make your money gift stand out from the crowd. So, if you’re ready to surprise and delight with the creative money gift ideas, read on to learn all the best ways to give money creatively.
I like giving money as a quick gift because I overstress about presents. I’ve found it saves my sanity.
But just because it requires little thought doesn’t mean it can’t be dolled up cute! I’ve compiled tons of awesome ways to spread the gift-giving love with clever and fun ways to give money as a gift! Much better than a crumpled up $20 bill in an envelope!
I think you can adapt these unique ways and ideas for any holiday or occasion!
How much money to give?
This is a question I ask myself often! There is no rule of thumb on what an appropriate amount of money to to give a present. It depends on so many factors, age, occasion, and how well you know the recipient! What is so great about these creative ways to give money as a gift is that you can do these with however much you want to do-from $20 to $200!
Where to get all the cash?
The last time I was making my money chain necklace, I went inside the bank and asked for $50 one dollar bills. She asked me specifically if I wanted nice crisp bills! So that is an option! Dollar bills fold better when new! You can also run a hair straightener on low heat over the dollar bill to get any wrinkles out!
How to tape the dollar bills together?
I got a lot of flack when I posted a reel about making a money lei! Comments on how this was a bank tellers nightmare and how difficult it would be to take apart! It really made me laugh! I guess I forgot to share my secret! The Scotch magic tape is the perfect tape. Holds the dollar bills perfectly but is so easy to peel off!
Ideas on how to Give Money as a Gift:
Click on the link above the photo to take you to the origin of the amazing idea!
1. Money Topiary: Sugar Bee Crafts
Looks like a plant- but it’s actually a money tree! You could also poke in some suckers around the topiary to add an element of fun!
2.Money as a ribbon: Simply J Studio
This is a perfect example of jazzing up a money gift! nothing too crazy! Wrap some paper and dollar bills around their favorite candy! and of course, add a bow!
3.Tissues box with money train: A girl and a glue gun
This is one of my favorites! You can pull the dollar bill and the money just keeps coming out of the tissue box! I have free printables for birthdays and graduation money gift box!
4.Fortune Cookie Money: Tinged blue
A cute take-out container and homemade cookies, with a little extra fortune inside!
5. Fast Food Money: Create it Go
(uh oh! Looks like this site is down! but it’s too cute not to share!) You can ask at your favorite fast food restaurant for some empty food containers and fill them with dollar bill fries!
6. Funny Money gift with card: Pinterest
This card just had me laughing! A perfect cash gift for the person who appreciates a good joke!
7. Green Salad gift: a girl and a glue gun
We use this idea for cute wedding gifts but I’m sure any college grad would love to get a bowl full of money and coins!
8. Money for a rainy day: seasonal home
I don’t know too many Dads who wouldn’t enjoy receiving this for Father’s Day or even Graduates, someone with a BIG approaching birthday! Folded up, it looks like an umbrella. and when it’s opened- it’s raining money!
9. Crayons wrapped as money: a girl and a glue gun
One of our favorite white elephant gifts! The person doesn’t know the money is there until it’s time to color!
10. Photo Album: Pinterest
I wish I would have seen this idea when my kids were little! Put in $10 each month..or something bigger on their birthday and any extra holiday. Give it to them on the graduation date!
I’ve also seen a great idea where you buy gift cards every month (amazon, target, food, gas, etc) and then when it’s graduation time, they have a whole arsenal to help them settle into college life!
11. Water Balloon Gift: The Staus Family
Quarters, dimes, and nickels in each water balloon–money balloons! This would be a great one for little kids!
12. Money Bouquet: Inspiration Made Simple
A gorgeous bouquet- but unlike flowers, these won’t die! Just fold these into origami money flowers and stick in a cute pot!
13. Here’s to a bright future: Pinterest
I have actually seen these lightbulb containers at Hobby Lobby!
14. Funny gift tag: Pinterest
15. Nuggets of Wisdom: Clearly I Stamp
Presentation is half the gift- and this one is just perfection! The Money is wrapped around little nugget candies!
16. Money Poppers: Studio DIY
Confetti poppers! Such a fun way to get your money!
17. Braided money necklace: A girl and a glue gun
Remember those old gum wrappers we used to fold up in school? This is the same technique but turned into a necklace!
18. A box full of Money: Lovin in our Chaos
19. Chocolate Box of Money: Life as MOM
Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get- especially when you open it and it’s full of cold hard cash! The bonus of this gift is that you can eat the chocolates so you can reuse the box and wrappers!
20. Pick what you want to gift: Pinterest
My daughter is so hard to shop for, so I always have her end up picking out presents so there are no surprises! Instead, print off things you WOULD have bought her or things they need and then they still get to pick out what they want! That way the person gets exactly what they want! Very thoughtful!
21. In Case of Emergency Glass Break glass: Sunburst Gifts
A nice crisp $100 bill in a frame! A great gift because you never know when extra cash will be needed!
22. Balloon Gift: Sugar and Charm
Balloons and money! Such a cute surprise! Add confetti for an extra fun touch!
23. Birthday card candles: Jill’s Card Creations
Turn those dollar bills into a perfect birthday card! It’s a simple rolling of the dollar bill and you cand press it flat so you can mail this card!
24. Birthday Money Cake: Y’all come in the door is open
This lady created a whole cake with dollar bills! You could do one layer or multiple layers!
25. Waterbottle full of quarters: one hundred dollars a month
This is perfect for little kids who love vending machines or arcades. OR a perfect graduation gift for college students who need to do laundry!
26. Pizza Surprise: Pinterest
A money pizza! You could add gift cards in there too! Just ask your local pizza restaurant for an unused pizza box! They gave me one right away!
27. Money Bow on the Present: Cathe Holden
This is just darling! I don’t know if I would even want to take apart this dollar bill bow because it’s so pretty! You could add this to a bag of candy!
28. Hide Money inside Jar: Kreative Kristie
I love hiding money! They always make such a great white elephant gift! The recipient never expects it and it’s such a great surprise! Just tuck a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll inside a mason jar. Fill the outside with candy and the inside with cash!
29. DIY Money Lei: A girl and a glue gun
What is so great about this money lei is that you can swap out half the money with folded cardstock!
30. Birthday cheddar: Etsy
Some people are so clever! This printable isn’t free but still so fun!
31. 2 liter pop of money: A girl and a glue gun
Who knew you could upcycle a soda pop bottle into a perfect money holder!
32. Money soap: Amazon
Earn green while you clean! This would make a great white elephant gift!
33. Extra Dough: About Family Crafts
A play-doh container stuffed with money (and of course a play on words!)
34. Money Wreath: Crazy Little Projects
If you’re looking for creative graduation money gifts, this one couldn’t be better! Make a wreath with little bills that are rolled to look like diplomas! A creative, simple, and fun graduation gift idea!
35. Candy Bar and Money Lei: the craft Patch
A candy bar lei would be the perfect gift for a birthday, graduation, or as a “congratulations” after a football game or concert.
36. Hidden Money gag gift: It’s Always Autumn
Hide a roll of cash inside a pop-top can for a gift that will make anyone smile.
37. Money Wreath: Sugar Bee Crafts
Teens through adults will love this cute wreath idea!
38. Shirt and Money Tie: My weekly Pinspiration
This money tie is actually wearable! Can you imagine wearing this to graduation?!!!
39. Money Explosion box: Riveria Crafts co
Do it yourself Exploding Money Box gift idea. I made an explosion box before but not one so full of money! Such a great reveal!
40. Lottery tickets gift basket: Lindsay’s sweet world
Not actual cash- but it could result into cash! Fun lottery cards displaced in such a cute way!
41. Puzzle boxes
There are also lots of really fun Puzzle boxes that you put money inside. I’ve purchased a few and they have been really fun! This Maze puzzle box has been my favorite!
These Fun and Clever Money Gift Ideas are perfect for any Occasion
On most occasions, the gift of money is helpful and appreciated. These fun ideas are ideal for most anytime! Some ideas are:
- Graduations
- Wedding Showers
- Housewarming Showers
- Baby Showers
- Birthdays
- Moving
- Bachelor parties
- Include some of these in Easter baskets and place around the Christmas tree!
