Giving gifts is one of my favorite things to do. While I always love finding unique gifts for people, there are sometimes where the best gift to give is money.
Rather than just hand them a crumpled $20 in an envelope, I do my best to make the experience special.
I’ve written about fun methods of gifting cash before and felt like coming up with some more ideas!
Here are the super clever & unique ways to bless your recipient with cash.
20+ Best Ways to Give Money as a Gift
I asked a few of my blogging friends for suggestions, and got some great ideas!
Here are some of the fun ways they gift money, along with a few of my tried and true methods.
If you are brainstorming the best ways to give money as a gift with others, don’t forget to share this list with them!
First things first – how do you give money as a gift without being tacky?
First of all, it starts with giving it in a cool way.
If you act weird and just hand someone cash as a gift, that could be very awkward. But if it’s more of a surprise / gag gift / something funny / unexpected or neat….then that changes the whole feel.
Second, make sure you’re giving it to the appropriate person.
Giving cash to your grandma would obviously be very odd, but giving the same thing to an older teenager in your life? It will probably will be their favorite present of all time! 🙂
Just use common sense when it comes to gift giving, and you can’t go wrong here!
Brilliantly Unique Ways to Gift Money
I’m constantly thinking of more ways to present money as a gift, so make sure to bookmark this page for later reference.
Let me know if you end up using one of these ideas! I tried to add something for everyone to this list.
1) Most Unique Option – A Real Money Notepad!
This is a huge hit whenever I give it to a teenager in my life.
I’ve written about it before in my other post about creative ways to give cash as a gift for good reason!
I think it will always be my favorite. I cannot describe how much they LOVE receiving it!
I mean, who doesn’t want an entire pile of dollar bills that you can conveniently tear off like a piece of paper? LOL
Here’s the full tutorial >> Step-by-Step Money Notepad Tutorial
2) Cute & Hilarious Cash-Filled Tissue Box
I love seeing the look on people’s faces when they realize this benign gift is actually something they want most.
The hardest part about doing this one is connecting all the bills together.
I’ve tried it many ways and I can tell you the easiest way to do it without causing the bills to rip when you take them apart – is to use painter’s tape like this >>
Tissue box cash gift by Life is Sweeter by Design
3) {Very Popular} First Aid Emergency Stash Kit
I know this is a very popular gift option because I see a lot of people buying this hard shell first aid kit on Amazon >>
It’s really cute and super surprising to receive because it’s so unexpected.
I know many people who have given this to a lucky teenager in their life. It’s such a novel idea!
First aid emergency stash cash by WhatMommyDoes
4) Fun Way to Give Cash – Candy & Money Lei
This is a little on the more complicated side, but it’s very impressive! Who doesn’t want candy AND cash?!
5) Unexpected Item – Excitement Hidden Money
I get the comment all the time that it’s silly to give this gift because someone might eat dirty gum.
I mean, I would hope they wouldn’t, but I suppose you could put a little warning note in there! LOL
Okay, so I know what you’re thinking – – That’s gross! Who would put that gum in their mouth?!
You are correct – obviously, you wouldn’t want to put this gum in your mouth after it was surrounded by money!
Hopefully your recipient is smart enough to know this; if you’re not sure they would think of this, perhaps you can mention it to him or her just in case. LOL
Excitemint hidden money gift idea by WhatMommyDoes
6) Gift Card in a Jar
This one’s kinda funny! It’s technically an idea for a gift card, but it’s way too cute not to include.
I know that I personally consider cash and gift cards in the same gift category.
Note: This mason jar wouldn’t work well for cash because of the glue and water needed.
Gift card in a jar by Freebie Finding Mom
7) “I Mean Business” Adorable Money Gift
I love this gift idea for career-hunting Junior or Senior year college students or even young professionals.
After they use the cash inside, they can use it to collect and save business cards!
Such a fun and useful gift with a hidden surprise!
The coolest thing about this is that you don’t need to use a high dollar amount to make it look impressive.
When the cash is fanned out, it’s super awesome looking!
“I mean business” money gift idea by WhatMommyDoes
8) Personalized Piggy Bank (Full of Cash or Coins, of course!)
Here’s a cool take on a piggy bank – it’s a personalized wooden initial with a see-through front!
I’ve seen these filled with paper money as well, so don’t feel pressured to come up with that many coins. LOL
Get this personalized wooden piggy bank on Etsy >>
If you’re shopping for a little girl, I especially love this personalized glass block pink bow piggy bank!
I would fill this one with coins.
Get this personalized glass piggy bank on Etsy >>
9) Money Pizza Box
I love this idea for giving money. It seems a bit time consuming, but looks very impressive when it’s done!
This looks like a rather simple design to recreate:
- Grab some tape, some quarters (for the pepperoni), and $50 to $75 worth of dollar bills.
- Tape down the dollar bills in a layered circle pattern.
- Sprinkle on some quarters (tape down as well)
- Roll up some dollar bills for the edge of the crust
- Place a fun sign on the inside of the box if you’d like
Source: Adorned Crafts & Designs on Instagram
I have learning how to create a pizza box full of money on my to do list. As soon as I make one, I’ll post a step-by-step pictorial here. 🙂
In the meantime, I’m leaving you another money pizza box idea to base yours off of!
You can watch a quick video of its creation on Instagram >> How to Make a Money Pizza
10) Dollar Bill Origami Crafts
I can’t believe you can take a full-size dollar bill and make it into a tiny heart!
I guess even money can be used for origami! This is so unique.
This origami heart lends itself to larger denominations like $100, $50, or $20 since it takes just ONE of them.
How awesome would it be to receive this as a gift?!
Source: sae_makendecorate on Instagram
I won’t even pretend to know how to actually make one of these origimi hearts, but I did find a book that gives simple instructions for making all kinds of money origami creations!
It includes instructions for a heart, a house, a variety of animals (including a bird, butterfly, and whale)!
(The only pattern I didn’t see listed that I would want to try is a folded money flower. I’m sure other books on Amazon would have that design, but this book looked easiest overall so that’s why I chose it).
Click here to get the book Easy Dollar Bill Origami >>
I read that some people like to give money origami as a restaurant tip for a nice surprise. That would actually be a pretty neat trick to know how to do!
11) Bag of Cash (with DIY Paper Topper)
I came up with this idea as I was packing my kids’ lunches one day! HA
I grabbed one of the quart sized Ziploc bags from our pantry, and rolled up some dollar bills to go in it.
Each roll is two $1 bills loosely rolled and held together with a tiny elastic band (also items I had on hand).
After I filled up the bag with money, I grabbed some scrapbooking paper, and cut it to the exact width of the bag.
I didn’t measure the height of the topper, but it’s about 2.5 inches tall. I mean, really, this is up to you. I think the thicker looking topper looks very nice.
In this first pic, you can clearly see how the parts fit together.
After I cut the paper, I simply stapled it a few times across the top of the baggie. BOOM! Instant money gift that looks incredible!
This bag held approximately $40 in cash….a great gift for an older teen in your life.
12) Cash in a Can
“What in the world?!”
That’s what your gift recipient will think when they see this….but when they open the can of fruit (or veggies), they’ll realize it’s actually something amazing.
This is such a fun gag gift for Christmas or a teen’s birthday. Make sure you tell them to open the can or they might think it’s an actual joke! LOL
Cash in a Can Gift Tutorial from It’s Always Autumn >>
13) Money Tree
The best kinds of trees are made of money, right?!
The second best thing to money falling from the sky! LOL
I found these sparkly Christmas tree decorations at Dollar Tree.
It was so easy to just roll up dollar bills and place them around the tree.
The best part about this is that your recipient will receive cash AND a cute Christmas decoration – two gifts in one!
14) Completely Full Digital Coin Jar
Who doesn’t want a jar filled to the brim with coins?! This is a really fun present for any teenager or kid who likes to keep track of their money.
The lid is digital and actually adds up the coins as you put them into the jar. I thought this was really fun to do!
I used to have one of these in college. I’d like to get another one just to see how much a full jar adds up to.
If you have one, will you comment below with an estimated total? I’m so curious!
Seems like it would be a pretty substantial gift if you gave this FULL of coins!
15) Birthday / Christmas / Graduation “Cheddar” Cheese
I thought this ideas was so cute! I swear, some people are SO creative…I would have never thought of this on my own!
There are three options here – choose one of the following:
This requires barely any effort and would make a huge impact. All you have to do is purchase one of the “cheddar cheese” templates from Ashaty on Etsy.
Then print out the image, cut according to instructions, and glue the edges together.
Boom! You have an awesome gift that’s super CHEESY and hilarious. HA
16) “Buy Something You Don’t Need” Money Envelope
This DIY printed envelope makes a super cute Christmas, graduation, OR birthday gift idea. I love that it gives your recipient permission to spend frivolously! 🙂
All you have to do is buy this envelope template from DIY Inspired Inc on Etsy.
Then once you get the download file, print it out and cut according to instructions.
This is what the envelope will look like front and back before you fold it and glue it together. Super easy and so unexpected!
17) Money Giftwrap!
Can you imagine how carefully your recipient will unwrap this wrapping paper? Verrrrrry slowly!! HA
No one wants to rip perfectly good dollar bills!
If you want to make it easier for them, I recommend gift tape that isn’t as sticky. Or you could even use delicate surface painter’s tape, although it won’t look as pretty.
18) DIY Money Machine
This is such a fun & creative idea. You can really make it worth a little or a lot depending on the bill denominations you use.
19) Mini Money Cake
This adorable & creative money cake was created for a baby’s birthday! I love the presentation of it on a lovely green cake plate + pink ribbon.
It’s a pretty AND practical gift that the parents will love, even if the baby isn’t old enough to appreciate it yet.
Talk about impressive….this kind of cake takes a lot of effort but looks so cool when it’s done!
Picture used with permission from Head in the Cloud Designs on Instagram (source)
If you don’t have time to make your own cake, but like this particular presentation idea, you can always purchase a completed cake on Etsy!
I think the pricing is rather reasonable considering the materials, talent and effort that goes into producing such a lovely design!
Get the Santa Money Cake on Etsy >>
20) Graduation Money Leis
This money lei was made with $50 worth of dollar bills. I love how easy this would be to customize for your grad’s school colors!
Picture used with permission from Martha’s Sugar Treats on Instagram (source)
Next up is another version of a money lei. I like how it’s made with larger bills to make it worth much more (around $150!)
That’s the beauty of gifts made out of cash – you can adapt the denomination of the bills to suit the occasion.
Picture used with permission from Martha’s Sugar Treats on Instagram (source)
21) “Smarty Pants”
Or as my daughter would say as you opened this gift, “Do the Smarty Pants dance!” 🙂
When I saw this empty bottle of Smarty Pants vitamins on our counter, I just knew it would be the perfect hiding spot for a teenager’s money gift!
It was super easy to do. All I did was use a small piece of tape to attach the dollar bills together, end to end.
Gift wrapping tape works great for this because it’s not super sticky and will detach easily.
Then I rolled up the bills and put them inside the container.
Just make one little point of the first bill stick out the end of the roll like the image below, and your recipient pull the roll of cash right out of the container!
Such an adorable way to hide gift inside an unsuspecting place!
22) Adorable Graduation Cap “Cake”
This is an adorable & simple meaningful present that incorporates a graduation cap.
All this would take is a base that’s circular (a round box, perhaps), then line the outside of the box with rolled up dollar bills, and tie with ribbon!
Then all you have to do is decorate a bit more for flair. Easy peasy!
Picture used with permission from Adorned Crafts and Designs on Instagram (source)
23) Cash-fetti Money Popper
I think this might take the prize for MOST CREATIVE GIFT of all! What a cool surprise inside!
You could give this to someone for just about any festive occasion, from a birthday, graduation, wedding, Christmas, or even a baby shower!
Click here to buy this Cash-fetti Money Popper >>
Picture used with permission from Posh and Sparkle on Instagram (source)
The creator of these confetti poppers, Posh and Sparkle, actually has two more beautiful confetti poppers that I love.
This one is just for Christmas, which is a perfect way to have a ready-made gift! Just look at the beautiful explosion of Christmas confetti!
Click here to buy Christmas Cash-fetti from Posh & Sparkle >>
The other one that I really love is this BIODEGRADABLE purple confetti.
This is a really great option for anyone who is environmentally conscious and perhaps wants to pop the confetti outside.
Click here to buy Christmas Cash-fetti from Posh & Sparkle >>
All three of these options are great, and I’m so thankful someone was creative enough to invent this!
24) Beautiful Flower Bouquet with Cash
I am ALL FOR doing things the simple way. What could be easier than picking up a pretty bouquet of flowers on the way to an event and tucking in a variety of bills around the petals?
I think anyone would be extremely pleased to get this as a gift!
Picture used with permission from Mia’s Flower Shop on Instagram (source)
25) Cash & Coins in a Chocolate Box
I think this is a super cute way to trick someone into thinking they’re getting one gift when what you actually put inside is way more valuable. 🙂
This box is filled with a variety of denominations.
The trick to getting this to work is to tape down each wrapper and then also use tape to adhere each bill/coin to each wrapper. That way it won’t end up being one big wrapper/cash mess when it’s finally opened! LOL
Picture used with permission from Life as Mom (source)
26) Money is Trash
Why give money straight up to someone when you can wrap it up like a crazy person in a roll of trash bags?! LOL
I love how unexpected this roll of trash bags would look like as a gift. Your recipient will be SO surprised.
I put about $30 worth of one dollar bills in here and it looked really impressive. I’d say this is a great way to give $20 or $30 worth of dollar bills.
Even more would be way more awesome because it would feel like a never ending roll of cash! 🙂
27) Hide $$ in a Chocolate Tin!
I found this tin of Russell Stover chocolates at Dollar General.
I thought about working in the bills between the chocolate, but it was kinda difficult and also just gross. LOL
So instead we ate the chocolate and replaced it with rolled up dollar bills!
I think the result is fantastic. Definitely one of my favorite fun money gift holders to date!
28) $1 Billion Russell Stover Notes
I also found these adorable Russell Stover Notes “In Santa We Trust” chocolate bars at Dollar General!
I think they’re hilarious!
I’ve also seen them for sale at Target + Walmart + even directly from Russell Stover if you need them in bulk.
If you don’t have a store around you that carries these special edition Santa chocolate bars, I found them for sale on Amazon right here >>
**I apologize if they’re out of stock by the time you see this post. Hopefully they will be back in stock next year!
In my bars, I slipped a few dollar bills inside the envelope next to the chocolate bar.
The cash + chocolate didn’t actually touch, so my recipient can still actually eat the candy bar! LOL
29) Snickers Satisfies
I love using a little play on words whenever I can.
Did you know that the new Snicker’s wrappers can either say “Snickers” OR “Satisfies?”
Well, what a perfect way to give a “SATISFYING” gift! 🙂
bahaha so corny, I know! That’s why I love it!
Wouldn’t you know that I took this picture of a gift bag with Snickers + cash in it and you can’t even see the money?! LOL
I did NOT mean to do that, but I promise it’s there!
Actually that makes the gift THAT much more surprising if you accidentally do this, as it literally looks like a bag of candy when in reality it’s worth a lot more!
30) A “Heavy Duty” Gift
I loved the “money is trash” gift above so much that I decided to do another option with an everyday supply.
Enter: Strong Strips! Extra-Large Heavy-Duty Bandages
I already had these on hand….honestly, any brand of bandages will probably say “strong” or “heavy duty” on it so that will work!
Just layer however many bills of whatever denomination you want in between a handful of bandages.
The money bulked up the package, so I didn’t end up having to use all the bandages in the package for this.
I went with one bill from each denomination (including $2!) from one to twenty dollars.
I think it’s quite a nice gift for any young person in your life!
And when the money is inside, it sinks to the bottom, so you can’t actually see it very well.
When someone first opens this, they will REALLY think you gave them a box of bandages! LOL
I love a good hidden / surprise gift like this! It will be very memorable.
31) Snowman Tin Full of Coins
I picked this little snowman at the dollar store as well.
I don’t know what you were supposed to use him for – maybe to hold a gift card?
I suppose that would also be a great way to give money as a gift!
But, of course, I wanted to up the wow factor so I filled it with quarters & dimes! It was quite heavy when it was full.
It’s a pretty decent amount of money, too! You can see just how many quarters & dimes can fit in a tiny containers in this up close shot.
I think it ended up being around $20 worth!
32) A Good Snack
Like the quart size bags above, I made a gift baggie out of a snack sized bag.
Because the bag is small, it lent itself well to a combination of coins + bills.
When you’re done filling the snack bag, just staple a bit of festive paper along the top (cut it to fit the width of the bag).
Just to show you how much value this little baggie can hold, I took an up close shot of the coins going in. It’s surprising high value for a small size bag.
All in all, it held close to $20 with this mix of coins and tightly rolled dollar bills in there.
33) ‘School Supplies”
As a colorful pen + marker addict myself, I am in love with this idea!
It’s not fussy, but it’s so practical and adorable! No need to get fancy – just tuck in whatever dollar amount you want inside the box with the pens. Easy!
I would probably write a message like “I heard you needed some new supplies for school…” or something similarly cute in the gift tag.
I grabbed this box of Paper Mate pens at Dollar General….I couldn’t find the exact type online, but this is another great option >> Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
34) Chocolate Money Box Gift
I loved this medium sized square box because it fit exactly $20 worth of rolled up dollar bills in it!
I couldn’t fit them all in there at first, so it was a game of Tetris for a bit, but I did it!
I think it makes a lovely presentation and is such a cute surprise gift idea! This year I’m gonna give it to a special 18-year-old in my life.
35) Go Fish
This is a good way to surprise someone with cold hard cash as a gift.
They won’t even be the least but out off when they try to play a game, just to find money in the place of the cards.
I know I wouldn’t be!
36) Looking “Sharp”
Who doesn’t love a good pun? Grab a multi pack of markers and add in your money surprise.
This would be a great way to start off a larger gift. The markers are the one small detail and the money could go toward buying the easel or other supplies to round out the present.
37) A Colorful Gift!
This is a super simple way to give money to a child. Most young kids would be happy enough with crayons but then finding money for their piggy banks will get them so excited.
It’s very easy to wrap these crayons to make them fit into the box again to hide all the cash you’ve given them.
I think that’s it for now! I love coming up with new ideas, so I hope to add some more in the future!
More Cash Present Ideas from WhatMommyDoes
- 10+ Fun Ways to Give Money Creatively
- 7 Creative Money Gift Ideas
- DIY Money Pizza Surprise Gift
- Cheap Christmas Gifts for Kids (all under $20!)
- Amazing Family Gift Ideas – things you can give to the entire family at once…perfect for neighbors, extended relatives, and family friends
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