How to Make a Money Tree For a Gift They'll Always Remember

When my grandson had a 6th birthday coming up, I didn't have very much money for a present, so I brainstormed for a present to give him. I came up with a money tree, and it was a huge success. Since then, I improved on the theme for each of my grandchildren's graduation from High School with a money tree in the form of a topiary. Directions for both follow.

Things You'll Need

• Money Tree
• quart bottle
• sand
• decorative tree limb
• money (bills) & tape
• Topiary
• foam balls
• florist foam
• sand bucket
• dowels
• straight pins
• embellishments

Instructions

1. 

   For the 6th birthday, I found, actually it was a quart beer bottle, and spray painted it gold, which I already had, the paint, I mean, not the beer bottle.
   I filled it will sand, so it wouldn't topple over.
   Out in the yard, I found a nice size tree limb that sort of looked like a miniature tree, and stuck it in the sand.
   I then taped 10 $1 bills randomly on the smaller limbs.
   He was thrilled. And of course, I was happy, that I had made him happy with, I thought, so simple of a gift.

2. The same 6 year old was the first to graduate from high school, and I asked my daughter, what should I get him. She said, You know, Mom, he still remembers the "Money Tree". So I decided to make it a little more sophisticated.
   I found a container, a child's sand bucket in his school colors, filled it with florist foam.
   Next, inserted a 1/2 inch dowel into the foam, and stuck the other end into a foam ball.
   I then attached another dowel and another ball on top of this.
   Then folding the money to sort of resemble a petal, I pinned them in place until each ball was covered with $1 bills.
   I embellished with streamers in his school colors.
   Then wrapping cellophane paper all around the entire topiary and tying with a bow, the present was ready.

3. 

   My daughter said it was one of his favorite gifts. He kept it for a long time. When he would want to go to the movie or to buy some little something, he would say he was going to pluck his money tree.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many different embellishments you could put on these, depending on the child, the occasion, and the age. The party supply stores would be an excellent source for ideas.