How to Make Creative Money Gifts

Handing someone money on their birthday lacks creativity and feels less personal. Taking the money and turning it in to a gift, such as a money tree, will put a smile on the recipient's face. It may even make her laugh. If you don't want to make a money tree, you can put together a homemade pinata and fill it with the amount of money you want to give.

You will need the following items:

Block of floral foam
Utility knife
Small flower pot
Small pine branches
Gold spray paint
Red ribbons
Dollar bills or coins
Newspaper
Scissors
9-inch balloon
Decoupage glue
Pin
Paints

Creating a Money Tree

Step 1:
Cut a block of floral foam with a utility knife so that it fits snugly inside of a flower pot. Set it into place.

Step 2:
Pick up three full pine branches from your backyard or local park. Spray them with gold spray paint and set them aside until they dry completely. It is best to do this outside, so you don't accidentally spray your furniture or tabletop with paint.

Step 3:
Stick the pine branches down into the floral foam one at a time. You'll need to push them at least 1 1/2 inches down into the foam to keep them from toppling over.

Step 4:
Roll up dollar bills and tie them to the pine branches with red ribbon.

Creating a Money Piggy Bank

Step 1:
Cut used newspaper sheets into 12-inch strips.

Step 2:
Blow up a 9-inch balloon.

Step 3:
Dip the newspaper sheets one at a time in some decoupage glue and lay them over the balloon in a crisscross pattern. Continue until the entire balloon is covered in newspaper strips.

Step 4:
Wait for the newspaper to harden. This will take at least 24 hours. Pop the balloon inside of the homemade pinata with a pin.

Step 5:
Paint the homemade pinata. Use green paint to represent the color of money, or paint it however you wish. Allow the paint to dry.

Step 6:
Cut three sides of a square out of the top of the homemade pinata to create a flap that you can peel back. Fill the pinata with dollar bills and coins by stuffing it in the hole. Close the flap back up.

Tips:
Wrap your money tree in cellophane for presentation to your friend or loved one.

If you don't have decoupage glue, use craft glue or make your own glue out of flour and water.

References:
Do It Yourself Gifts: How to Make a Money Tree
Old Fashioned Living: Creative Ways to Give Money