If you’re stumped on what to get for gifts, don’t overlook cash.  With these interesting ways to give money, you’re sure to make a seemingly mundane gift a memorable one.

Interesting Ways to Give Money

Wrap it in a giant box.  Or wrap it up in a small box, then place it inside another box and wrap that, and so on.  The anticipation of unwrapping a big box (or a succession of boxes) makes it a lot of fun.  And if the gift is for a kid – all the better!  The box becomes part of the gift!

Make a money tree.  Who says money doesn’t grow on trees?  Tie bills onto a small fake tree and give it to someone.  You can find inexpensive fake trees at dollar stores, thrift stores, and discount stores.  This would make a great gift for newlyweds, new graduates, or as a door prize like my friend Kristina did with the money tree she made in the photo above.

Folded into origami.  A friend of mine used to always fold bills into interesting animals and shapes and leave them as tips at restaurants.  I always thought it would be an interesting way to give money as a gift, too.  Look for money origami instructions and get folding!  Then put your money origami creation in a small box and wrap it up.

Tucked inside a book or magazine.  You could select a special book or magazine with meaning for the recipient and tuck the bills inside.  Or you could go to a thrift store, and find a thick old book to make a secret book safe.

In a puzzle box.  You can purchase a special money puzzle gift box that allows you to place the money inside.  The recipient has to solve the puzzle to open the cube and get the money that’s inside.

Scavenger hunt.  Send someone on a scavenger hunt.  Create clues and scatter them all over the house, so that your recipient has to hunt for their cash gift.  This can be a lot of fun if you’re planning to give money to a large group.

Make a money tie or a money lei.   Michelle at Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust has several tutorials for interesting ways to give money.  She’ll show you how to make a money tie, a money lei, or even a mini ATM machine.

Inside Balloons.  Place $1 or $5 bills inside balloons and blow them up.  Or have them placed inside helium balloons before they’re filled. (Just make sure they don’t float away!)  Kids and adults alike will have fun popping the balloons to get the cash.

Money doesn’t have to be an impersonal gift when you come up with an interesting way to give it.  In fact, sometimes, cash makes the perfect gift.

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