Looking for the best money gift ideas? You’ve come to the right place.
Thinking about what to gift someone on their special occasion can be a mind-numbingly difficult task. Coming up with ideas is one thing, and making sure they like what you get them is another, making the entire ordeal of gift selection extremely tough. And guess what? You’ve got to get gifts for your family and friends several times a year; Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, graduation, bridal shower, baby shower, and the list can go on. Now, that can be exhausting.
If you look at it realistically, giving money as a gift is a more pocket-friendly option. You may have set a limited budget for a gift, but you may not necessarily find a suitable gift in that budget. Then what? You’ll have to spend more on buying a gift than you planned to.
However, giving money as a gift doesn’t just look like you got the responsibility off your shoulders, but it also looks boring. After all, the only way you can give money as a present is in an envelope. Right? Wrong.
Be prepared to get your mind blown with the money gift ideas that we’ve put together for you. Now you can give money as a gift without making the receiver feel unimportant.
Money Gift Ideas
Wrap a Chocolate in Money
Are you looking for a birthday gift for your co-worker that would make them feel like they matter? You don’t have to go over the board with buying an overly expensive gift for them. Simply buy a bar of their favorite chocolate, wrap it in a few dollar bills (whatever your budget allows), tie it all up in a pretty ribbon, and voila – the perfect birthday gift is ready!
Hide Money in a Tin of Pringles
Is your sibling’s birthday just around the corner, and you can’t come up with any gift idea? Well, we’ve got you covered. If your sibling loves Pringles, buy a tin of Pringles in their favorite flavor and hide money between the chips. While your sibling will be delighted with having a tin of Pringles all to themselves, they’ll be taken by surprise when they finally find the hidden money. That’s something they’ll remember for a long time.
Make a Money Necklace
Another great and super cool money gift idea is to make a necklace out of money and toss it around the neck of a woman of the hour. It’s a great way to celebrate a birthday, graduation, bridal shower, or any other occasion that calls for gifts!
Make a Money Tiara
Tiaras are totally in these days. Any girls’ event seems to be incomplete without it, be it a birthday party, graduation party, bridal shower, baby shower, or a simple celebration to praise an achievement. If you can’t think of a present and are planning to give money as a gift, look up a tutorial on how to make a tiara and once you know it, use money to make it! Trust us – your gift will be a hit!
Money Pizza
Another great way to surprise your special someone is to show up on their special day with a box of pizza. The first reaction will be, of course, ‘dude, what?’ But the twist here is – the box of pizza won’t have any pizza! Make a pizza base using play dough and top it with dollar bills! The spark that you’ll see in your friend’s eye after they open the box would be absolutely beautiful!
Fill Money in Balloons
Are you throwing a birthday for your loved one and are wondering what you can give them as a present? Giving money sure sounds convenient, but how can you make it look like you tried to make their day all more special? Fill the balloons with money and confetti and make them pop the balloons to retrieve the dollar bills! It’s a fun, thoughtful, and highly engaging money gift idea!
Money Bouquet
Another great money gift idea is to make a money bouquet. Fold each bill into a flower (you’ll find plenty of tutorials on it), and wrap them up in a bouquet. A bouquet made of money will definitely ring the right notes!
Money Wreath
Making a wreath out of small dollar bills is one of the most creative money gift ideas. It can be given on any occasion, be it a graduation party or a housewarming gift. Since it takes time and effort to make a wreath, a wreath made out of money will add a touch of personalization to the gift, which makes it all more special!
Frame Dollar Bills
If you want to give a money gift but you find giving it in an envelope too boring or old-school, why not frame it in a glass frame? You can add any message that you like with the dollar bill, like ‘break it in case of emergency’ Now it’s up to the receiver if they wish to keep the frame as is or use the money to buy something they like.
Money Tree
Christmas is the biggest festival of the year, and it calls for fancy celebrations with your loved ones. And no celebration is complete without gifts! If you’re looking for a super cool money gift idea for Christmas, try making a Christmas tree out of money. It’ll make the perfect decoration for Christmas, and your loved ones can buy anything they like for themselves afterward.
Chocolate Box
What’s better than a box of chocolates? A box of chocolates with no chocolates. No, we aren’t kidding. One of the coolest money gift ideas is a box of chocolates filled with money! Replace the chocolates with dollar bills and present them to your loved ones. It’ll make the perfect gift for birthdays, Valentine’s, anniversaries, or Thanksgiving.
Origami Money
You can make any usual gift extraordinary by Origami money rosette. Simply top your birthday present with an origami rosette made of money and surprise your friend on their big day. This money gift idea is particularly great for occasions when you think your gift is too insignificant and you want to add value to it. Your friend can buy anything they like with the money you gift in the form of the origami rosette.
Money Star
Did your friend just graduate? Or did a dear one achieve something grand? It’s time that you tell them they’re a star! And what better way to praise them than by offering a money gift? Your star deserves a star! Make a star out of dollar bills and offer it the star of the day. It’s a beautiful token of your love for them. It’ll show them how much effort you’ve put in to make them feel special when you could have simply folded the dollar bill and kept it in an envelope!
Money Fashionista
Are you looking for a gift idea for your fashionista friend? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s their birthday or her bridal shower, or baby shower, money folded into shapes of small dresses will make the perfect gift for fashion freaks. You can even use floral wire to make hangers and hang all the dollar bills folded in shapes of dresses in a small box made into a miniature wardrobe. How cute is would that look?
Money in Mason Jar
If you’re short on gift ideas, this simplistic money idea will sort things out for you. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas to give someone on their wedding or birthday, or Thanksgiving, simply put some dollar bills in a mason jar, top it with chocolates and some confetti, and decorate the jar with colorful ribbons – the perfectly simplistic gift is ready!
Money Plant
A money plant will make the perfect gift to give someone as a housewarming gift or for someone who just set up a new office. By money plant, we don’t mean the actual plant but a plant made out of dollar bills! Fold dollar bills into floral shapes with the help of video tutorials, stick them up on small sticks and put these sticks into the soil in a small plant pot. Paint the plant pot in attractive colors and patterns and tie colorful ribbons on each stick to make the package look funky and attractive.
Cash Tie
Is it your partner’s birthday? Or did your spouse just got promoted? Or did your brother got selected in the football team? All of this calls for celebrations, and as we said, gifts complete the celebrations. If you want to give a money gift but don’t feel like giving it in a regular envelope – because that’s too mainstream – make a cash tie! To make the money gift look more attractive, buy a shirt, set the tie on the collar, and pack it in a clear plastic bag, top with ribbons and bows. The perfect gift for the man is ready!
Money Tin
A tin box is the last thing anyone would expect as a present, and that’s exactly why giving a money gift in a tin is among our top money gift ideas. Where’s fun in doing everything as it’s expected from you? Instead of showing up to a friend’s birthday party with a beautifully wrapped gift, show up with a tin – only that the tin would have a chain of dollar bills stuck to either side. The moment your friends opens the tin, dollar bills will pop out, and so would your friend’s eyes!
Crocheted Envelope
If you want to keep things simple and straight with your money gift ideas but don’t want to opt for regular envelopes, we suggest you make an envelope yourself. If you’re good at crocheting, a crocheted envelope is the best way to express your love for the special person. The best thing about giving money in a crocheted envelope is that the receiver can reuse the envelope to keep their cards in one place.
A Message in a Bottle
If you’ve been brainstorming ideas for your best friend’s bridal shower or birthday, we’ve got the perfect money gift idea that your girl will remember for a very long time. Make micro-sized notes – 20, 30, 50, 100, or even more – with each note having one reason why you love your best friend in your handwriting. Wrap each note in a dollar bill, roll them, and tie them close with colorful ribbons. Toss all the notes in a bottle or a jar and decorate the jar with anything that you like.
Handmade Envelopes
You can also opt to give money gifts in an envelope. However, don’t feel bound to use the commercially available envelopes. They lack feel and emotion. One of the sweetest money gift ideas is to make an envelope yourself with a touch of your personal taste that your loved one would instantly feel connected to. In the end, it’s not the money that’ll count; it’s your emotions!
Make Fortune Cookies
Special occasions should be treated especially too. If it’s a birthday, anniversary, or any sort of celebration where you’ve got to give someone a gift, always look for ways in which you can make the day memorable. Instead of buying something, make fortune cookies out of dollar bills and put a prayer or a wish in each. With every dollar bill they open, they’ll come across a new prayer or wish that’s sure to overjoy them.
Santa Sack
Christmas is all about gifts and Santa Claus. If you’re good at making crafts, craft out a Santa sack and give money as a Christmas gift in it. It’s the perfect money gift idea for Christmas. Not only would it look pretty, but it’ll show the receiver how much effort you’ve put in to make Christmas special for them.
Fry-oh-Money
If your dear one’s a foodie and you’ve got to think about money gift ideas for their birthday, graduation, or a promotion, we’ve got the best money gift idea for you. Roll the bills like fries and pop them in a fry basket from McDonald’s or any of their favorite fast-food chain. The Fry-Oh-Money will have them stunned in amazement!
Lollipop Bouquet
A lollypop bouquet sure sounds like a gift, especially for someone who’s got a serious sweet tooth. But you can always give it a twist – include some money pops with the lollypops in the bouquet and enjoy the toothy smile your friend gives you when they see it!
Crepe Paper Ball
If you don’t consider yourself crafty or creative, this money gift idea is just for you. Simply fold some dollar bills and fold them within crepe paper such that it looks like a ball. Tie the crepe paper ball with a funky ribbon and hand it over to your friend. The first reaction they’ll give will be utter confusion, followed by the widest smile after they open the ball.
Money Tent
If you’re planning a gift for your friend who loves adventures and camping, the money tent is just what you should get them for their birthday or Thanksgiving or any other occasion that calls for a celebration. All you’ll need is a few toothpicks and dollar bills. Make a tent using toothpicks and dollar bills and put a portable, battery-operated, small LED light inside so that the tent appears to be illuminated. If you want to go over the board, use bigger dollar bills if your pocket allows.
Play Around with Playdough
One of the cutest money gift ideas is to pack some dollar bills in empty play dough jars and gift them to your kids. At first, your kids might feel disappointed because playdough won’t be something they expected in a gift on their birthday or Thanksgiving. The fun will start when they open it and find dollar bills inside. It definitely sounds fun, right?
A Poetic Message
Expressing your emotions for someone is always an overwhelming experience for both you and your dear one. When we talk about money gift ideas, any gift that stirs emotions has to be the perfect gift. Write a poem for your dear one on paper, roll it and tie it with a thread or ribbon. But that’s only half the deal. Before you roll it, put some dollar bills inside. When the special someone opens the paper, there will be double surprises for them inside!
Gift Cart
If you can’t think of money gift ideas for someone’s birthday or bridal shower, choose multiple small gifts and arrange them on a gift cart. Now the best part is – the base of the gift cart will be covered with dollar bills. How cool!
Money in a Cake
Finding money when you least expect it is the best thing ever. Make your special one’s special day all more special with money in a cake money gift idea. The birthday person would think they’re just cutting a cake, only to realize later that there’s a stash of money hidden inside the cake that can be pulled out with the help of a thread! That’s a kind of money gift that we would love for ourselves!
Piggy Bank
Coming up with money gift ideas for small children is always difficult because they get bored with things pretty quickly. However, we’ve got one of the best money gift ideas for your little one. Buy a piggy bank and fill it with dollar bills. Your child can buy anything they like with the money inside and use the piggy bank to save money themselves. It’s one of the finest money gift ideas for kids – fun and lesson go together!
Ice it Up
Breaking the ice on a big day is one of those money gift ideas that just exude grandeur. You may not understand what we’re saying just yet. Wrap some dollar bills in plastic to make sure it’s completely sealed. Toss the sealed dollar bills in a container full of water and freeze it. Once it’s frozen, the dollar bill is jammed inside. To retrieve it, the person has to break the ice. It’s a great money gift idea for someone’s birthday, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, where everyone opens their gifts together. It surely sounds fun.
Keep the Money Rollin’
If it’s the boss lady’s day, you better make it count. The homemaker does so much for the family and surely deserves a treat on her birthday, and we’ve got the best gift idea. Roll dollar bills over a rolling pin and wrap it all in clear plastic. Decorate it with a ribbon and bow and present it to the queen of your kitchen. The smile on her face will be worth all your money.
Money Bracelet
Women love jewelry, and they’ll love it so much more if it’s made of money. If you’re wondering what to give your girl for her big day, make a bracelet out of dollar bills and toss it on her wrist. You just gave her a new favorite piece of jewelry.
Tissue Box
You may be thinking about how a tissue box made it to the list of best money gift ideas on earth. Well, wait till you read why. Just like a tissue follows the next when you pull one out from a tissue box, we’re suggesting you make a tissue box filled with money. One dollar bill will follow the other. It’s an absolutely suitable gift for birthdays, graduation parties, bachelorette parties, and even when you’re celebrating a small achievement of your loved one.
Crayons Wrapped in Money
Most parents get their children gifts that their children can use. Many times, it’s either educational toys or stationery. If you’re planning to get a big set of crayons for your child for their birthday, wait a second. Before you give the crayon set to them, wrap each crayon in a small dollar bill and put them back in their case. Now, wait for their reaction!
Money Printer
You’ve got to be as creative as you possibly can when you’re planning gifts for children. If you can’t come up with any gift idea and are planning to give them money instead, do it with a bang. Make a DIY money printer out of cardboard and paper and roll dollar bills onto the printing roll. As the child turns the roll to print paper, it’ll produce dollar bills. It sounds fun and is very easy to make. You can find tutorials for a DIY money printer on YouTube easily.
Gift Card Holder
The best type of gift is gift cards. The receiver can get whatever they like themselves. However, the twist is when you make the gift card holder using dollar bills. That’s what you call going extra.
Money in a Coke
Did your coke-lover friend just got promoted, or did they just graduate or achieved something they’ve wanted to for a long time? Well – it calls for a gift! Since your friend loves Coke so much, fill a Coke bottle with dollar bills, paste a personalized message on it, and decorate it with ribbons and you’ve got a super-simple yet highly personalized money gift idea.
CD Case
Gifts are all about stirring the right strings. If your wedding anniversary is just around the corner or you want to make your better half’s birthday a memorable one, record their favorite songs or a song that holds a special place in their heart on a CD and gift it to them. But wait – the money gift idea is yet to step in. The CD cover should feature dollar bills. Well, you didn’t see that coming, did you? With the dollar bills you put in the CD cover, your better half can buy anything they like.
Cosmo Bag
One of the essentials of a woman’s purse is the Cosmo bag. After all, lipstick, blush, and mascara are everyday essentials, are they not? If you’re looking for a money gift idea for your best girl, go with this 2-in-1 gift idea. Buy a cool Cosmo bag and fill it with dollar bills. Trust us – your girl couldn’t be happier!
Money Prescription Bottle
The perfect gift for your pharmacist friend – a prescription bottle filled with dollar bills. If your friend belongs to a medical profession, you should go the extra mile to make their birthday, Christmas, or Thanksgiving gift special. They spend their days serving the community, and they deserve special treatment too. So, fill up a prescription bottle with money, attach a prescription tag with a sweet message and make their day special in the most unexpected way.
Money Hanging from Helium Balloons
It’s one of our favorite from the list of best money gift ideas. If you want to make your loved one’s birthday special, get plenty of helium balloons and leave them all in their bedroom. Tie dollar bills to the end of their strings and leave them in awe when they enter their room. They can then use the money to buy anything of their choice. How sweet.
Goodie Mug
Nothing feels better than appreciation and encouragement. If your co-worker or a friend has achieved something, no matter how big or small, you shouldn’t miss a chance to tell them how good they’re doing. Get a mug with a personalized message and fill it with goodies – chocolates, pens, stickers, keychains, basic cosmetic items like lip balm or mascara, etc., and some dollar bills. This money gift idea – the goodie mug is ready!
Dollars in a Matchbox
Someone who smokes would want everyone to give them high-end cigarettes and fancy lighters for their birthday. If you’ve got one such friend, we’ve got the best money gift idea. Fill a matchbox with money and give it as a gift. At first, they may not understand how to react to receiving a matchbox for a gift, but once they open it – their reaction would be priceless!
Bake it with a Twist
Another super cool money gift idea is to bake your friend’s favorite banana bread for their birthday breakfast. Cut it from one side, empty it from the inside, fill it with dollar bills, press it to close, and wrap it in a clear cling sheet. The real surprise would be when they sit down to cut the bread because they didn’t get just bread for their birthday breakfast!
Easter Eggs
Easter is a special occasion, and people exchange gifts and decorate their homes. The most popular gift item during the Easter season is Easter eggs. You can make amazing money gifts using Easter eggs to give to friends and family this Easter season. Fill these eggs with money and let the surprise unveil itself with time. It’ll be one that your loved ones will remember for a long time.
Money Umbrella
A friend in need is a friend indeed. If you’ve got a friend who has been your shelter in the toughest of the days, they need some sort of acknowledgment for being who they are for you. Tie dollar bills to umbrella tips and tie them close. Your friend will be taken aback when they open up this money gift idea. A money umbrella is definitely a super cool money gift idea.
Money Planters
Planters are a great addition to any home space. If you’re looking for a housewarming gift for your dear family friends, buy a beautiful planter and fill it with money. They can use the planter in their home and the money to buy anything they like. How thoughtful.
Money gift ideas aren’t a new thing. What’s new is the way money is being gifted. Gone are the days when you would give money in envelopes, and the receiver would know what is in there. Today, it’s all about giving your loved ones little surprises when they least expect them. These money gift ideas should help you on your way.
