Gift Money with Heart: Thoughtful Ways to Share Cash This Christmas!

Christmas is a time filled with festive traditions, sweet treats, holiday meals, and gift-giving. Some people start planning surprises for their loved ones as early as possible, while others are still figuring things out in December.

Giving money as a gift—or even asking for money as a gift—used to be considered tacky. But not anymore. Studies say that it is the most welcomed gift that most people want.

Fortunately, there are creative ways to present cash that can be both fun and imaginative. Some of these ideas are straightforward, while others may require a bit of crafty skill. You might even surprise yourself with how creative you can be!

Here are 19 unique ways to give money as a Christmas gift embodying the season’s spirit.

Create a Money Tree

We all know money doesn’t grow on trees, but you can create the illusion that it does! There are several ways to make a money tree gift basket.

• One option is to attach bills to a Styrofoam topiary form. Easy-lift Scotch tape makes it easy to remove the bills without damaging them.
• Alternatively, you can attach gift cards or cash to the branches of a living plant—consider using a money plant for this.

Gift basket full of money

Roll up the money, put it on a stick, and add it to your favorite treats in the gift basket.

Banknotes in toilet paper roll

Hide cash in toilet paper rolls for your teenagers by wrapping them in cellophane, tying them with Christmas ribbon, and printing a funny dedication on the front.

Money in inflatable balloons

Stuff some cash into inflatable balloons and blow them up for a fun surprise! Just a heads-up: this takes up a lot of space, so it’s best to do it right before you need it. If you live with the person getting the gift, hiding it can be tricky. You might also want to toss in a pin or needle to make popping them easier later. They’ll definitely be in for a big surprise!

Fold It Beautifully

Guys usually aren’t thrilled by soft packages because all the clothes are hidden inside, making the gifts feel less exciting. But a shirt can be different! Why not make it special by wrapping it in money? Grab a cool box and throw in some nice wrapping paper. It might take a bit more effort, but the result will definitely wow them!

Money Like McDonald’s Fries

If your children love fast food, you can make them fries out of banknotes using original packaging.

Cash Disguised as Pizza

Pizza lovers might be surprised to discover a box of their favorite delicacies under the tree. While pizza is delicious, many of us would prefer to find different gifts awaiting us. However, any initial disappointment will quickly turn into indescribable joy when they open their Margarita pizza.

Banknotes Hidden in a Snowman

Inspired by the movie “Ice Kingdom,” this fun activity involves blowing up two white balloons and filling them with cash. Once you’ve got them ready, glue the balloons together to form a snowman. You can share a silly poem or a funny story with the kids and tell them they need to “dissolve” the snowman without using their hands, feet, or tools. The twist? They’ll need to use their bodies while sitting to get it done. It’s bound to be a blast!

Banknotes Wreath

You can create a beautiful wreath with money. Purchase a base of any size from a flower shop or hobby market and attach banknotes to it using paper stickers or pins. Don’t forget to add a Christmas bow.

Money in a Box of Tissues

Use a tissue box, cover it with Christmas-themed paper, or decorate it as Santa’s coat. Tape the bills together with painter’s tape and hide them in the box. Let one climb in style through the cross-section.

Banknotes in a Gift Box

If you are short on time or don’t feel very skilled, roll the money into a gift box, tie it with a ribbon, and decorate the box accordingly.

Money Christmas Postcard

Create a stylish Christmas card. Fold the banknotes into triangles, and suddenly, you have trees that you stick on the cardboard. Decorate them with stars, bows, or perhaps twigs.

Cash Hidden in a Candy Jar

Hide the banknotes in any original jar with your favorite candies. Simply remove some of them, hide an empty toilet paper roll in the middle, and hide the cash in it. This is another easy but imaginative way to donate money unconventionally.

Money Christmas Tree

Insert a stick with a Christmas motif into the mugs and tie the folded banknotes with it until you create a beautiful tree. Add a bow at the bottom and a star at the top, and the gift is ready.

Money Hidden in Christmas Ornament

You can place cash inside a Christmas ornament, add a name tag, and hang it on the tree.

Turning Dollars into a Monet-ary Masterpiece

Make a picture out of money. Buy a frame and stack the banknotes in it. A simple clip frame with Plexiglas will also work.

A Fun Dive into Banknotes Candy Box

Put the money in the box of chocolates. Of course, eat the chocolates first so they don’t get in the way or mix the pralines and money in the box together.

A Snap-happy Album of Greenbacks

Stack banknotes in an album instead of photos. You will definitely get an album with the required number of pages.

Vouchers: The Ultimate Non-Monetary Gift Solution

Give a voucher to a favorite store with clothes, handbags, perfumery, sports or fishing equipment, simply wherever your loved ones like to shop. Even vouchers are actually money.

Hopefully, one of these tips will grab your attention and help you give money in a fun and unique way. Your family won’t even think twice about you gifting them cash, so there’s no need to stress about how they’ll react.

They’ll be able to buy what they really want and appreciate your creative gift. These money-giving ideas work for all kinds of occasions, like birthdays, holidays, weddings, or graduations.

You can show your love and creativity at the same time. Trust me, your loved ones will be talking about how clever you are for a while.

Have a great holiday season, and good luck!