How to Make a Money Tree

What a great wedding or housewarming gift or even a retirement gift! A tree/plant blooming with bills!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pot
• tree/plant (real or fake)
• crisp new paper bills
• floral wire

1. 

   Purchase a small indoor style tree or houseplant to use for the money tree. Look for something attractive as the plant itself makes a nice household gift.

2. 

   Select a decorative plant container for the tree or plant if it did not come in a nice pot.

3. 

   Place the plant in the pot. Add extra soil around the base of the plant if needed so it fits properly in the pot and stands up straight.

4. Fold the bills accordion style, making 1/4 inch folds. Twist a short length of wire around the center of each folded bill. Spread out the ends creating fans. Wire the fans to the tree.

5. Attach a note with a sentiment like
   "Money Can Grow on Trees!" or
   "May your Marriage blossom with happiness"
   "May your new career/business blossom with prosperity"
   or whatever suits the person being gifted.

Tips & Warnings

• If using a real plant, make sure the pot is big enough to allow room for the roots to grow.
• Use smaller bills to make more blossoms, ie lots $1, $5 & $10 bills rather than only a couple of larger bills.
• Get other people to go in on the gift with you to make the plant have a more significant amount of money.
• If people will be adding money at a wedding reception or party, have someone stay with the tree at all times to fold and attach bills as they are given...and to make sure no one starts jacking money from the tree if you're worried about it.
• when selecting the pot, don't get anything too wild or it may not match their other decor. If it's for a wedding, look at the items on their gift registry to get an idea of the colors the like or style of home decor.

Resources

• How to Give a Graduate Money
• How to Give Money
• BUY IT! Brussel's Money Tree Indoor Bonsai

[CCrock]

on 9/5/2009 Mendozabunch, I think that your children making a money tree for your anniversary is a fine idea. It's there for those who want to leave a gift or just a nice sentiment, but it's not like people will feel forced to leave anything either. Go for it!

[Desula]

on 5/17/2009 Money DOES grow on trees.

[Greatfunmoms]

on 9/15/2008 I would love to see this money tree! Interesting idea!

[smidgen]

on 5/16/2008 What an articulate article and it is so well written.

[mendozabunch83]

on 4/8/2008 We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this coming weekend. We put "No gifts please" on our invitation. We have had several requests asking us what we want. My children thought a money tree would be a good idea to set up at the reception along with note cards for anyone to write us a note or put money in an envelope. Is this idea proper?