How to Give Money Instead of Presents

A homemade money tree can be a clever gift.

Cash gifts are often the most appreciated kind because the recipient can use the money for anything he has had his eye on. The recipient can also combine a few cash gifts to get one large item that each individual gift giver could not have afforded to purchase and give. When you give someone money instead of an item, present it creatively so the person still gets to go through the process of opening and receiving a gift.

Things You'll Need

• Tree branch
• Foam
• Small pot
• Paper clips
• Plastic Easter eggs
• Boxes of multiple sizes
• Wrapping paper
• Tape
• Piggy bank

Instructions

1. Get some cash. A single large bill can be thrilling to see, but many small bills make for more creative options for presentation.

2. Make a homemade money tree by cutting a small tree branch, pulling off all the leaves and sticking the branch in a piece of foam in a small pot. Attach bills to the miniature tree branches with paperclips.

3. Put the bills in plastic Easter eggs and hide them around the recipient's home. Give a card telling the person to go find all of the Easter eggs to get the gift. Use small bills so he doesn't miss out on much if he fails to find one of the eggs.

4. Place the money in a small box and cover it with wrapping paper. Place that wrapped gift in a slightly larger box and repeat for a few layers. This gives the person something to unwrap and increases the suspense.

5. Purchase a piggy bank and place the money inside. This can be an effective way to hint that you would like the recipient to save the money up for something big in the future rather than spending it right away.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are mailing the money, a check is a safer alternative to cash because you can replace it if it gets lost in the mail. If you are giving the money in person, cash is best because you have many more creative options for presenting cash than you do with a check. Plus, cash allows the person to spend the money without having to go to the bank first.

References

• Old Fashioned Living: Creative Ways to Give Money