The Best Money Gift Idea – 16 Unexpectedly Cool Presentations of Money Gifts

Do you have a friend who is saving up their money for something special? And you want to give them a money gift this year? Do you know that you can make it a way more personal with the cash presentation?

Let’s be honest. The easiest (and often most appreciated) gift (for almost every occasion) is money. But also there’s nothing more impersonal than handing the recipient a simple envelope of cash.  So raise your hand if you don’t like giving money as a gift! Or you need ideas on how to make an awesome gift money presentation!

Hand raised!

** This following post contains some affiliate links. Despite that, the written in here is honest and based on my own opinion or/and experience, research and wish to share my findings with you!

I’m definitely not a passionate money-gifter. Because I want my gift to be different. Memorable. Thoughtful. But when it comes to certain people and occasions, money make the most desirable and appropriate gift.  I must admit it. Sometimes is quite better to let the recipient turn your dollar bills into an extra special gift, than receiving another *something* they don’t need.

So if you’ve already decided to give cash as a gift, think of a different way of wrapping and presenting to make your gift fun and even thoughtful. To help you on the creative path, I’ve gathered up a whole bunch of joyful and easy to handle with money gift ideas that will make everyone smile and satisfied.

16 Creative Ways To Gift Money

I know, I know, this post is all about giving money. But the following 16 ideas are focused only on how to make a creative presentation of your cash gift.

# 1 The Floating Funds

Eden from Sugar and Charm suggests a wonderful money gift idea. Just fill some translucent balloons with colorful confetti, and some rolled up bills. Sounds easy, and it is! But there are some handy tips and tricks to follow to get the best result – cute, colorful and floating funds waiting for the right person to pop them up.  You can read all about making money balloons over at Sugar and Charm (oh, there’s a video tutorial too!).

Aren’t these charming?

# 2 *Delight To Give You Great Pleasure* Money Pad

How cool is having a money pad? I would love having one and tearing off ‘sheets’ of real money. It is an easy and fun way to give cash as a gift.

The “money pad” isn’t something to make last-minute. Because it works best with new bills. You’ll also need hot glue (or white school glue or rubber cement), scrapbooking paper and some materials for the covers. The point is gluing the ends of a fresh stack of dollar bills. Each bill will peel off individually, like a notepad. To make the stack more impressive (meaning BIG), use $1 bills. The creatives behind this money gift idea promise that the glue or the paper cement would not ruin the banknotes. Hope so!

There are some varieties in the covers-making process. You can use a cardboard base. Or maybe you can find a little book with the right (money) dimensions to replace the inner pages with the stack of banknotes. Either way, this money gift definitely makes an impression. Follow Instructables.com for the exclusively detailed step-by-step tutorial. But if you don’t have any rubber cement around, then you can try the instructions on What Mommy Does.

# 3 Bright Future

‘The-Bright-Future’ way to give money as a gift is super cute. For grads especially. Since we all wish young people “bright future” ahead, then why not play with this theme and give a (literally) bright gift?

You need a bulb-shaped jar. Then fold the bills up, put them inside the bulb, tight the lid and decorate with a ribbon and the  “Here’s To Your Bright Future” message itself.

Also, if you are generous enough to stuff more bills inside, then attach small tweezers to help the recipient get them out.

You know, I wouldn’t mind IF someone wishes me bright future THE EXACT SAME WAY! (as seen on Good Housekeeping.com)

# 4 Your Efforts Have Paid Off

I’ve found this idea for graduates, but, hey, don’t we all make efforts every day? Don’t we all deserve a paid off?

Alright. You get my point.

So if your recipient is a no-exception, this cute little message will make them feel appreciated and satisfied. You need to buy a few stuff, and the charming “Your Hard Work Has Paid Off” printable. You can get all the instructions plus the printable tag at Eighteen25.com

Do you know someone who needs recognition of their hard work? Christmas is just the right moment to present such a money gift.

# 5 The Money Soap

A bar of scented soap with a money inside is a great way to deliver your cash to the gift recipient.

How adorable DIY stocking stuffer gift idea!  You can try and make the soaps with money in the middle by yourself. Just follow the instructions on SoapDeliNews.com (I think it’s rather easy).

But if you don’t feel crafty, then better purchase a bar or a couple of soapy bars with embedded money. There are different options on the market. Being honest, I vote for the pink heart raspberry-scented money soap for her (by Suds And Such on Etsy) and the delightfully scented and money-green practical gag gift for him by Old Virginia Candle Co. on Amazon.

I think it’s a cool gift idea for any age. After all, everyone has to wash, right?

# 6 The Money Book

That’s right. You can turn banknotes into a precious book like this one.

The tutorial at NicholeHeady shows you how to make the dollar pages using only a string and cardboard. I find this little book to be a fun way to package money, making the presentation part of the gift!

# 7 A Little Green for Your Salad

Mmm, yummy! This money gift idea is lovely, especially for the foodies on your gift list. A little green salad.

Put in an elegant salad bowl like this one. Accessorized with kitchen tongs and even apron with money print. Kimbo from A Girl And A Gluegun is the girl behind this creative way to give cash. And the coolest thing is that she even offers the free printable tag!

# 8 Money Funfetti Poppers

I found this idea at Studio DIY (seriously, I just love the things they do, better hurry and follow them!) To make this idea you need Confetti Poppers. And dollar bills too. You can give a try this tutorial to make your own confetti poppers. Or simply buy pre-made from the local party store. Put a thin confetti layer on the bottom. Put some cash inside each popper. Not too much. Otherwise, you’ll lose the *pop* effect.  Cover with the rest of the confetti. Close the popper. And there you go! The first popper is ready. If you’re still not sure how to make the rest, read Kelly’s post at Studio DIY.

The most colorful money gift idea around, for sure!

# 9 Build Your Own Castle 

Such a fun gift for a new home-owners or family and friends that are building a home!  (oh, if you need inspiration on this topic, follow the link HERE).

I find this *Build Your Own Castle* really cute as a gift idea for engaged couples or newlyweds, as well. After all, the kid’s bucket is a future handy item.

You need a simple beach bucket and shovels set or this Lego creative brick box to put the bills inside. Don’t forget to put the tag on the bucket! The bucket from the picture above is full of rice to help stuck the banknotes better. But you could also use clear sand from the beach for an even more realistic view.  Especially if the topic of the celebration is a beachy one. I found this picture on JB Maryn’s blog 

#10 The Money Album

I’ve personally tried this way to represent money gift years ago, long before I’ve seen it as a cool graduation gift.

Due to the amount of money I’ve prepared as a Christmas gifts budget, I took a smaller photo album and put the bills inside each pocket. Then arrange with some prints from a magazine, put a tag on the INNER cover stating “Some Little Cash for Your Memories”, wrapped it and gave it. The happy recipient was surprised to find that the album displays different cash banknotes.

Anyway, if you consider this suggestion for giving money as a gift, you can visit also Stamped Diary for more inspiration.

# 11 Nuggets of Wisdom

Chocolate and cash make a winner combination. And these Nuggets of Wisdom are no exception.

You need Hershey Nuggets, a plastic box (well, honestly, this is hard to find) and just some little crafty skills. You can see the instructions on Clear Dollar Stamps here. 

# 12 Emergency Funds

The emergency funds are sure to come in handy for both newlyweds and graduates.

For instructions and downloadables visit Sendomatic blog.

# 13 Cash Fortune Cookie

“I see Shopping in Your Future” OR “You are Loved More than you know” are both cute messages accompanied with an inspiring 20 or 50-dollar bill.

Fold a piece of scrapbook paper to look like a fortune cookie and then place the cash bill with the cute message inside. You can type the funny note on Word or Canva and then print it out. More on this at Passion for Savings.

#14 The Cash Cake

A neat way of presenting money bills as cake ingredients instead of using sugar and dough! Who wouldn’t love a cash cake like this one?

There are many video tutorials for making a cash cake. This picture was seen on Pinterest, but if you hesitate your crafty skills, you can buy one at Money Cakes By Jamie @ Etsy

# 15 The Money Injection

I love this original money gift that everyone will be happy about. The financial injection everyone needs in a certain situation.

The idea is quite simple and easy to make. You need a real syringe from the local pharmacy. And the active ingredient: the bill. Roll the banknote and put it inside the syringe. No needle. No hurt. Just fun.

Add a note explaining the application of this syringe and the right dosage to the recipient. You can call it a *PRESCRIPTION* or a *RECIPE* for a personal touch. The box is just a matter of creativity. This one was found on Pinterest as inspiration.

# 16 Relax & Enjoy This Cash

All essentials for a homemade SPA make a great gift. But if you add a little cash inside, you’ll complete the pure satisfaction.

You can make OR buy a bag of homemade bath salts and place the cash inside the bag. I found this money gift idea on Passion for Savings  (the picture).

For the forthcoming Christmas, you can make the perfect combination between some cash and this personalized ‘Christmas Relaxation’ relaxation kit by Littlepictureco on Etsy – check HERE. It’s lovely and oh, so cool gift for moms! (read this post for more gift ideas for moms)

Final Thoughts

There are many occasions and good reasons to give away cash. However, it is often a bit difficult to do so, because it could be taken for impersonal and even rude sometimes. But if you add that little personal touch in the way of presentation, then your gift will bring tears of joy.  It could be so funny to give away money! Get the next portion of cool ideas on how to give money as a surprise gift very soon.

Until then, check my DIY love story booklet as a romantic way to give money as a wedding gift

(I’m not really showing off since the pictures I’ve taken are of very bed quality. But anyway, if you like the idea, you can implement it easily with the downloadable template inside the post plus step-by-step instructions.)

Your Turn

If you are on your way to give cash as a gift, which money gift idea would you choose?

I would love to hear or see the creative ways you gave a gift of money! Make sure to comment if you have one!

Follow my Money Gift Ideas Pinterest board

And don’t forget to PIN THIS for later 🙂