28 fun and creative ways to gift money

Looking for a fun way to gift money? While cash is always appreciated, a little creativity can turn it into something even more exciting. Instead of the classic envelope, why not add a personal touch?

This guide covers creative ways to give money for any occasion, including birthdays, holidays, and graduations. Whether you’re gifting to a child, a college grad, or newlyweds, these ideas will make your cash gift extra memorable.

For the next special occasion or holiday season, consider these 28 clever ways to give money.

Fun and interactive money gifts

1. Design a treasure hunt

For a great birthday gift or a special treat for a child, consider designing a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt. It’s an engaging and fun way to give money that your kids can really get into. Hide cash gifts around the house or yard, and leave clues to the hidden money’s whereabouts for your child to figure out. You could even draw a treasure map to find buried treasure in the backyard.

2. Create a balloon pop gift

For a fun gift for kids (or, let’s face it, adults too!), blow up balloons and place cash in each of them. Then box up the balloons and wrap them. The recipient can slowly pop each money balloon to learn what’s inside. 

3. Tissue box money pull 

Tape bills end-to-end and place them inside an empty tissue box, with just a small portion of the first bill sticking out. When the recipient pulls on it, they'll be delighted as the money keeps coming out like an endless tissue stream. For extra flair, decorate the box with wrapping paper or stickers to match the occasion.

4. Puzzle box challenge

Instead of handing over cash directly, put it inside a puzzle box or a brain-teaser maze that must be solved before the money is accessible. You can find ready-made wooden puzzle boxes online or DIY your own with simple craft materials. This is a fun way to make the recipient work a little for their prize!

5. Magic trick reveal 

Turn your cash gift into a magical moment. Use a simple sleight-of-hand trick or a magic prop, like a disappearing box or a trick envelope, to make the money appear out of nowhere. Whether you pull a bill from behind their ear or make it magically appear in an envelope, this adds an element of surprise and fun to your gift.

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Food-themed money gifts 

6. Money cake

Roll up dollar bills and secure them with ribbon to create cake-like layers. Stack the rolls into tiers and use double-sided tape to hold them in place. Add a festive topper like a bow, candle, or even a small greeting card for an extra special touch. This is a great option for birthdays, graduations, or any milestone celebration.

7. Cash in a box of chocolates

Take an empty chocolate box (or one with removable chocolates) and replace the treats with folded bills. To keep the element of surprise, try wrapping each bill in foil or placing them in cupcake liners. When the recipient opens the box expecting sweets, they’ll get an even sweeter surprise!

8. A money pizza

Arrange bills as “slices” and use coins as “toppings” inside a clean, unused pizza box. You can get creative with a printed pizza logo or even write “Hot & Fresh Cash” on the lid for a fun presentation. Ideal for teens, college students, or anyone who loves a good pizza night!

9. A candy bar made of money

Tape folded bills around a full-sized chocolate bar, securing them with ribbon or a decorative sleeve. It’s a fun way to mix an edible treat with a cash bonus!

Handmade and crafty money gifts

10. Create a first aid “emergency money” box

For a simple DIY gift with money included, pick up a first aid box and add your own special surprise: A stack of cash! This playful twist on a box of money could be a creative way to give money in general or a way to help someone start their first emergency fund. Look for free printable stock art online to create your kit, and maybe include “in case of emergency” stickers to build on the theme. 

11. Money inside a clear ornament 

For a holiday-themed surprise, roll up bills and insert them into a clear plastic ornament. You can add festive confetti, tiny bows, or glitter inside to make it more visually appealing. Hang it on a tree or give it as a stocking stuffer.

12. Candle cash reveal

Place a rolled-up bill inside a hollowed-out candle or in a small waterproof tube before inserting it into the wax. As the candle burns down, the cash is slowly revealed! Just make sure the recipient knows there’s a surprise inside before lighting it.

13. A diploma made of cash

Perfect for graduates, this gift mimics a real diploma by rolling up bills and securing them with a ribbon or a decorative seal. You can even place it inside a real diploma holder or folder to make the surprise extra special.

14. A money rosette or wreath

Fold bills into fan-like shapes and secure them into a rosette or wreath using glue or ribbon. You can attach them to a backing like a small foam wreath base or cardstock and decorate with embellishments to suit the occasion.

15. A holiday topiary or 'money tree' 

Decorate a small artificial tree or branch arrangement with rolled-up bills, paperclips, and ribbons as ornaments. This festive money gift is perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or even housewarming gifts.

16. Wrap other gifts in cash wrappers

If you want to give a thoughtful gift or homemade gift while also adding cash on top, consider using cash as wrapping paper! To do this, you can simply tape bills together into sheets and carefully use the sheets to wrap your gift.

Disguised and hidden money gifts

17. Wallet or purse with hidden cash 

Choose a stylish wallet or purse as a gift and slip some cash into one of the hidden compartments. This practical and fun surprise is perfect for birthdays, holidays, or even a thoughtful “just because” gift. Add a small note inside to make it even more special.

18. Secret book safe 

Take an old hardcover book and carefully cut a hollow space inside to create a hidden compartment. Place the cash inside and close the book for a discreet and clever way to gift money. This works especially well for book lovers or anyone who enjoys unique, unexpected gifts.

19. Time capsule savings 

Find a durable, sealable container and fill it with cash, a handwritten note, and a few small sentimental items. Encourage the recipient to open it on a future date, like a birthday milestone or graduation, making it a meaningful way to save and celebrate later.

20. DIY scratch-off cards 

Create your own scratch-off tickets by writing different cash amounts on a card and covering them with a homemade scratch-off mix (dish soap and metallic acrylic paint over clear tape). The recipient gets to reveal their prize by scratching away, making for an exciting surprise!

21. Customized photo frame with hidden cash 

Choose a meaningful photo and place it inside a decorative frame. Behind the photo, tuck in folded bills as a surprise gift. This thoughtful idea works well for sentimental occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, or graduations. You can also write a heartfelt message on the back of the picture to make the moment even more special.

Personalized and decorative money gifts

22. Money lei

Fold crisp bills into decorative flowers or accordion-style shapes and string them together with ribbon or twine to create a Hawaiian-style lei. For a pop of color, intersperse the bills with silk flowers or paper decorations. This is a traditional and heartfelt way to honor graduates and birthday celebrants.

23. Create money origami 

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. If you’ve seen folded paper cranes or other animals and shapes — that’s origami!

For a fun twist, use bills as your “paper” when making origami. You can follow the same step-by-step instructions for standard origami but swap out the paper for bills. One unique option is to create a money lei using origami techniques to fold bills into the flowers. Pro tip: It’s easier to fold cash if you use crisp bills. You can get these from a bank by requesting new bills.

24. Framed money message 

Create a sentimental and decorative gift by spelling out a word like "Congrats," "Love," or "Dream Big" using folded or rolled-up bills. Arrange them inside a shadow box or frame for a polished look. You can also shape the cash into a heart, star, or other meaningful design. Add a personal note or a background image to enhance the presentation. This is a wonderful option for graduations, weddings, or milestone birthdays.

Financially savvy money gifts

25. Give two dollar bills 

Did you know that $2 bills are a real thing? They’re not commonly in circulation, so many people have never seen them before. But the U.S. Mint still produces $2 bills, and you can request them from any bank.

Plus, getting $2 bills as a gift is fun and equally fun to spend. They also have a strange history that will please any history buff to learn about!

26. Gift an investment

Want a super-practical creative money gift idea? Consider gifting an investment. This makes for a great baby shower gift or gift for young children, as their parents will surely appreciate it!

To do this, you might need to work with the parent to see if they already have an investment account or college savings account set up for the child. 

If they don’t, consider sending them a Greenlight subscription. Greenlight is a money management app that helps parents teach their kids about finances and more. Learn more about giving a Greenlight subscription here.

27. Give gift cards

Gift cards are a simple way to give someone money toward a specific use. It’s also a way to show the recipient that you know what they enjoy while still giving them some freedom to choose what they want to purchase!

You can find gift cards for just about anything, but some fun ideas include:

• Restaurant gift cards for their favorite food joint or coffee shop (the gift of caffeine!)

• A gift card for their favorite local small business

• An Amazon gift card for just about anything

• A Visa or Mastercard gift card for a general-purpose gift

28. Give a virtual piggy bank

For the little kiddos in your life, a virtual piggy bank is a great way to introduce the concept of saving. This is one of the best gifts to help start that rainy day fund. And what better way to get started than to preload the virtual piggy bank?

Substitute an actual piggy bank for a virtual one with an easy set-up and extra features!  Plus, when it comes time to spend some of their money, there’s no need to break glass — just swipe away!

The gift of cash can be inspiring✨

Cash is a great gift, and you can make it even more exciting with these unique ways to give money. All it takes is a little creative flair to craft a gift that will truly wow the recipient, while also being super practical!

If you’re gifting cash to a child or teen, think about how your gift could be exciting and beneficial for their future. Contributing to their college savings account, for example, can make a real impact on their future. Helping a child get started with investing is another great idea to make a real impact while also being a fun way to give money. 

To take it a step further, a money gift offers a great opportunity to start important financial conversations. Whether you’re gifting money to a child, teen, or young adult, it’s a perfect moment to instill smart money habits.

Be a financially smart family! From saving for the future to understanding credit, see how families are thriving with Greenlight. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.† 

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

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