Who doesn’t enjoy receiving money as a gift, but handing someone a card with a $20 dollar bill inside seems so… boring. With a little extra effort and a dose of creativity you can make giving cash fun again! Here are 23 creative ways to give money for Christmas, graduations, birthdays or any occasion. Many of these ideas can double as clever ways to give gift cards too!
23 Creative Ways to Give Money
Are you looking for cute ideas for giving money? You can turn almost any object into a creative way to give money with a little thought. Toilet paper, balloons, Play-Doh, and Pez dispensers are just a few fun ways to give money on this list. And everyone loves the gift of money!
1. Balloon pop
This creative cash giving method involves a wrapped gift and balloon popping, how much more fun does it get? Fill balloons with cash, notes, or even lottery tickets! Money balloons are the perfect gift for all ages and occasions! See all of the details ongiving cash in balloons at C.R.A.F.T.
2. Toilet paper
This is the perfect cash giving option for 2020, ha! Bonus: it’s so easy to put together and useful! Add a twenty to the center of a toilet paper roll with a note that reads “Just in case you get crap for Christmas, use this!”
3. Play “Dough”
And some extra “Dough” to a containerof Play Doh for a gift that is sure to be enjoyed! Check out this post on C.R.A.F.T. for more details on how to give cash in Play-Doh.
4. The best kind of Pez-ent
Cash and candy? Yes, please! Check out C.R.A.F.T. formore details about giving cash in a Pez Dispenser.
5. Jolly jar
For a creative way to gift cash or a gift card consider hiding it in a mason jar filled with red Jolly Ranchers. Simply fill a mason jar with candy and hide the gift card inside. Add a sweet handmade tag that says, Wishing you a holly jolly Christmas!
6. Embroider a canvas
Here’s another creative, not as simple way to hide a gift card. Embroider a canvas with a silly message and attach the gift card to the back side. For all of the details about how to embroider a canvas post.
7. Santa box
As long as you have access to a printer, this is a super cute money gift box! You can stuff Santa’s belly with money, gift card or even chocolate. Download and print the free printable pillow box here.
8. Box of chocolate
I want to be there when little Johnny opens this chocolate box! Fill each empty wrapper with coins or bills for a fun surprise. See all of the details onLife as a mom.
9. Holiday dough
This punny poem offers the recipient extra dough instead of cookies. I don’t think they’ll mind. Do you? Get the free printable poem at Tessie Fae.
10. Peppermint rolls
These peppermint covered money rolls make a great gift for kids or a college student who uses a laundry mat! Find more details atMartha Stewart.
11. Scavenger hunt
Scavenger hunts make any present or gift card way more fun to give and receive. I’ve created clue game scavenger hunts for kids and adults. For really young kids, I always make clues with pictures and for adults I make up silly rhymes. Here’s way to much information about preparing scavenger hunt clue games onC.R.A.F.T.(Here’s another post about scavenger hunt games for any age!)
12. Gingerbread dough
This gingerbread “dough” and poem are such a clever way to give cash. The poem reads:
Gingerbread man with yummy icing
are oh so good and extremely enticing.
I set out to make a dozen or two,
but ran out of time. Oh what do I do?
So instead of the cookies I tied a bow.
It’s your own personal serving of holiday dough!
(Oringially found onHeart and soul scrappers.)
13. Secret book money
Hide a crisp $20 bill in a good book. Freakanomics, C.R.A.F.T.,Guns, Germs, and Steel, or Where the Crawdads Singare a few good options. A cook book or an adult coloring book could be perfect for theright person too! The hard part is not telling the recipient. Just let the recipient find the hidden treasure as they flip through the book. I promise they will be excited. It is like finding hidden moneyin your winter coat pocket!
14. Tissue money gift box
Turn a Kleenex box into a money gift box and attach a note that reads, “Don’t blow it all in one place!” Get the free “Don’t blow it all in one place” printable at C.R.A.F.T.
15. Paper bag pocket
Turn a simple brown paper lunch bag into an adoarble money bag. Check out the full tutorialMish Mash.
16. Emergency money
Here’s a funny way to wrap a gift card or cash, frame it in glass with an insert that says, “In an emergency break glass!” Image found viaCreate my Event.
17. Raining money
Who doesn’t love raining money? Whip up this clever way to make cash rain from an umbrella from The Seasonal Home.
18. Pizza “dough”
Pizza is always a good idea, especially when it involves dough!
Origami money
19. Money tree
Who doesn’t want a money tree? Find the complete tutorial over atThen She Made.
20. Origami Christmas tree
The iconic red truck carrying a Chrsitmas tree got a paint job and a grew an origami money tree! This is such a clever way to give money this holiday season. For more details, check out Jacolyn Murphy.
21. Origami money heart
This is a great way to give cash for a graduation. See how to make an origami heart atHomemade gifts.
22. Money lei
A money lei might be the most creative money gift idea I’ve seen! Hop on over to Lil Luna for a detailed tutorial.
23. Dollar bill wallet
Use 2 one dollar bills to create a holder for a gift card or more bacon! Complete tutorial at Crafty Journal.
With Christmas just around the corner, I know this list of creative ways to give money will be super helpful! If you’re looking for more ways to give the gift of cash, but don’t want to DIY, consider buying one of these fun items to hide cash, coins or gift cards inside:
- Coin counting jar(Love this idea for kids!)
- Brain teaser gift card holder
- Dictionary safe with combination lock
- Insulated water bottle with secret compartment for money
Do you have any other ideas about how to give cash creatively? I’d love to hear…
I want everyone to feel empowered to be creative with their kids so, I’m sharing what I learned for free in a 5 day e-mail course!
As an enthusiast with a keen interest in creative gift-giving and a demonstrable knowledge of various artistic approaches, I've explored and implemented numerous inventive ways to present cash gifts. My experience encompasses a range of occasions, including Christmas, graduations, birthdays, and other special events. I've not only conceptualized these ideas but have also executed them successfully, garnering positive reactions from recipients.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the article "23 Creative Ways to Give Money":
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Balloon Pop:
- The idea involves wrapping a gift and placing it inside a balloon. Recipients pop the balloon to reveal cash, notes, or lottery tickets.
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Toilet Paper Roll:
- Utilizing a toilet paper roll, a $20 bill is placed in the center with a humorous note about receiving "crap for Christmas."
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Play "Dough":
- Money is added to a container of Play-Doh, combining a practical gift with a creative twist.
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Pez Dispenser:
- Cash is ingeniously placed inside a Pez dispenser, providing both money and candy.
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Jolly Jar:
- Money or a gift card is concealed within a mason jar filled with red Jolly Ranchers, creating a festive and sweet surprise.
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Embroidered Canvas:
- A gift card is hidden by embroidering a canvas with a playful message.
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Santa Box:
- A printable Santa-themed money gift box is suggested, allowing for a cute presentation of cash, gift cards, or chocolate.
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Box of Chocolate:
- Empty chocolate wrappers are filled with coins or bills, offering a delightful surprise when opened.
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Holiday Dough:
- A clever poem substitutes cookies with "dough" in a playful way, accompanying the cash gift.
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Peppermint Rolls:
- Peppermint-covered money rolls are recommended as a creative gift, especially for kids or college students.
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Scavenger Hunt:
- Making the gift-giving experience interactive, scavenger hunts with clues or rhymes enhance the fun of receiving cash or gift cards.
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Gingerbread Dough:
- A poem is used to present cash creatively, tied to the concept of gifting gingerbread dough.
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Secret Book Money:
- A crisp $20 bill is hidden in a good book, adding an element of surprise for the recipient.
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Tissue Money Gift Box:
- A Kleenex box is transformed into a money gift box with a humorous note attached.
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Paper Bag Pocket:
- A simple brown paper lunch bag is turned into an adorable money bag.
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Emergency Money:
- Gift cards or cash are framed in glass with an insert that humorously says, "In an emergency break glass!"
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Raining Money:
- A creative setup makes it appear as though money is raining from an umbrella.
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Pizza "Dough":
- Money is folded into an origami representation of pizza dough, adding a playful touch to the gift.
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Money Tree:
- A tutorial is provided for creating a money tree, offering a unique way to present cash.
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Origami Christmas Tree:
- The iconic red truck carrying a Christmas tree is combined with an origami money tree for a festive presentation.
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Origami Money Heart:
- An origami heart serves as a creative way to give cash, particularly suitable for graduations.
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Money Lei:
- A detailed tutorial is shared for creating a money lei, an exceptionally creative money gift idea.
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Dollar Bill Wallet:
- Two one-dollar bills are used to craft a holder for a gift card or additional cash.
This comprehensive list provides a range of imaginative options for making cash gifts memorable and enjoyable for recipients.
