So many people ask for gift cards or money for Christmas, but let's face it, there is nothing fun about handing over a boring gift card or money. It's such a challenge to give gift cards or money as gifts. That is, unless you do something creative with the gift cards or money. This collection of 120 ideas is fun, creative and some of them are just plain laugh out loud funny! Your friends and family will look forward to getting gift cards from you each year just to see how you package them.
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If you're here, you are probably looking for ways to give cash and gift cards. They're so hard to give as gifts. Who wants to toss money in a card? Boring!
It would be a lot easier to plan your gift card and cash gifts if you had a planner.
You know, a way to organize your gifts, track how much it's all gonna cost, and even a checklist for everyone's gifts.
Well, I made these for you!
<a href="#cb1ec38623"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-27411" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.smartfundiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2019-CTA-1-800x400.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400"></a>GRAB YOUR FREE COPY of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables:
- the Holiday Cash + Gift Card Planner will help you keep track of all of your cash and gift card gifts
- the Gift Wish List is for everyone to make their lists
- the GUIDE features all 120 gift card ideas for easy reference!
A couple years ago I did a post on how to give gift cards or money gifts: “12 Creative Ways to Give Gift Cards”:
It was so popular that I decided to do another bigger better badder post with over 120 ideas for how to give gift cards or money gifts! Grab a HUGE cup of coffee and let's get started …
I gathered and sorted all of these ideas into sections to help you find the perfect way to give cash gifts or give gift cards to anyone in your life and for any occasion.
You can use the shortcuts in the Table of Contents below to find the ideas you need fast.
120 Unique Ways to Give Gift Cards or Cash:
Click each from the list below to jump to that section of the post … or scroll and see all 120 ideas!
- Funny gift ideas
- Kids
- Folded Cash
- Adults
- Gifts in Jars
- Christmas ornament ideas
- Christmas
- Hidden Cash Gifts
- Printables and Cards
- Fast Food Ideas
- Teachers
- Guys
- Money Trees and Wreaths
- Crochet Holders
Funny ways to give gift cards and cash … like a practical joker!
It's awesome to give gift cards wrapped in a cute way. But what's the fun in that?
If you love to play games and puzzles … if you love a challenge … or if you love practical jokes, these gift card ideas are gonna float your boat!
Blow money
Recycle a kleenex box into a money box. See how it's made:
Tissue Box Money Gift – Good Housekeeping
Get them to wash their hands … ha!
When I saw this money soap on Pinterest, I thought it was hysterical! Can you imagine a teen washing their hands over and over trying to get to the money? Why not make them work for it, lol!
Pot O Gold Presents – Every Nothing Wonderful
The ole zip tied gift trick!
This zip tie wrapping idea is perfect for a brother/sister gift. Bring some fun into Christmas morning with zip ties wrapping!
Zip Tie Wrapped Gift – Runt Of The Web
Like these ideas? Find even more FUNNY ways to give cash and money gifts + free printables for each idea here:
Cold Hard Cash Gift Idea
Here is another hysterical idea for gifting money. How about some “cold, hard cash”? Love it!
Cold Hard Cash – Shortstop Blog
Pull Tab Money Box
This box of money is so creative. Learn how to make it here:
Got You Some Bread
They'll love this hilarious pun money gift idea! Get the free printable here.
Mousetrap Box
Wrap a large box with a mousetrap and money for a fun Christmas morning laugh:
Fun Ways To Give Cash – Our Little Backyard Farm
Creative Ways to give cash or gift cards to Kids
Give cash to kids in toys
Can you imagine how excited the kids would be opening up a little box with finger puppets filled with money? Love it!
Cash Crayons!
Gift a coloring book and crayons with a twist-wrap the crayons in dollar bills. For teens, gift an adult coloring book!
Money Wrapped Crayons – Eslamoda
Need to keep track of the kids' gifts?
<a href="#cb1ec38623"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-27411" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.smartfundiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2019-CTA-1-800x400.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400"></a>CLICK HERE to grab these free printables to help you track your holiday gift card and cash gifts!
Play “Dough”
Pick up a container of Play-Doh and add some “dough” in the container!
Creative Ways To Give Cash – U Create Crafts
Plastic Animal Packages
I absolutely love this idea! Wrap a gift card or money in a small box and attach it to their favorite animal. Get the tutorial:
Creative Ways To Wrap Gift Cards – A Beautiful Mess
Cash Puzzle
Talk about making your kids work for their money! You know they will be determined to get the ball in the hole with this!
Pinterest – you can get one here and with free shipping!
Hide the cash in cute origami boxes!
You know kids of all ages would love to receive a gift card in these DIY animal boxes.
Creative Ways To Wrap Gift Cards – A Beautiful Mess
Creative Ways to fold cash as a gift
Origami Star with Cash
Origami is a very popular technique. Why not fold the money into a star to gift this year? See how easy it is:
A Fun Way To Give Cash – T In The Burg
Money Neck Tie
This money tie is genius!!
Creative Cash Projects – My Weekly Pinspiration
Dollar Bill Origami Kit
Learn Origami with this Dollar Bill Origami Kit.
Folded Prize Ribbon from Money
Another fun Origami idea is to create a gift bow out of money:
Ways To Give Cash – Christian PF
Mini Money Origami Book
Here is a mini money Origami kit that is great for kids and adults alike!
Origami Money Camera
For the photographer or blogger in your life, make an Origami camera!
Camera Folding Money – Cup Of Jo
Fortune Cookie Money Gift Idea
DIY Fortune Cookies are such a fun way to give not only a good fortune, but money as well!
Fortune Cookie Money Holder – Passion For Savings
Creative Ways to give cash to adults
How to give cash for an office gift
This money notepad is so creative. Get the how-to:
Make Money Notepad – What Mommy Does
Giving LOADS of cash and gift cards? Keep track of your gift ideas with this:
<a href="#cb1ec38623"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-27411" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.smartfundiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2019-CTA-1-800x400.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400"></a>CLICK HERE to grab your free copy of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables!
Salad “greens”
Fill a salad bowl with a “green” salad and include salad tongs. They can use the salad bowl after!
Green Salad Money – A Girl and A Glue Gun
Movie Night Gift Cards
You can never go wrong with a movie gift card, especially for teens. Make a fun popcorn gift card holder:
Popcorn Card Video – Confessions of A Stamping Addict
Gift Card Chalkboard
Give a chalkboard and hang gift cards on it. Maybe play a lottery game where they choose a gift card.
15 Creative Ways To Give Gift Cards – The Merry Little Christmas Project
Gift “Cards”
How to put together a deck of gift cards.
Fabric Gift Card Holder
Here is a “sew easy” gift card holder. Love the owl fabric!
Gift Card Holder – So Sew Easy
Elf Snot Mason Jar Gift Idea
We all know kids, especially boys, love “snot” and would totally get a kick out of this elf snot. See how it's made:
Elf Snot Gift Card Idea – Down Red Bud Drive
Merry Kiss-Mas Jar
This “Merry Kiss-Mas jar filled with Hershey Kisses and money is adorable and easy to make!
DIY Mason Jar Gift – DIY Craftsy
Hidden Candy Gift Card Jar
Another fun way to give a gift card is to fill a jar with M&M's and a gift card:
Teacher Gift Ideas – Happy Clippings
Jar of Money. Keep it Simple!
Another great idea for College Students or teens. Give a mix of coins and bills in a glass jar like a piggy bank!
Gift Card Snow Globe Jars
Snow globes are so popular. Add a gift card and they can remove the gift card and reuse the snow globe year after year.
DIY Gift Card Snow Globe – Hip 2 Save
Manicure Gift Certificate Jar
A fun idea is to gift nail polish in a jar with cash or a gift certificate for a manicure!
Mason Jar Gift Card Holder – Happy Hour Projects
Gifts In A Jar Ideas
Love these Gifts in a Jar with money or gift cards:
Creative Ways To Give Cash – Passion For Savings
Snowglobe Mason Jar Gift Card Holder
This snow globe gift card holder is so fun! What kid wouldn't like to receive this?
Gift Card Snow Globes – Smarty Had A Party
Dollar Store Money Jar
Write a message in a bottle and add money as well.
Creative Ways To Give Cash – Passion For Savings
Christmas ornament ideas for gift cards and cash
Shadowbox Ornament Gift Card Holder
This little DIY ornament box is so pretty and hides a gift card on the back:
Ornament Gift Card Holder – Hydrangea Hippo
Printable Emoji Ornaments
Love this free emoji printable gift card holder … it's a Christmas ornament!
Free Printable Emoji Ornament Gift Card Holder- Simple Made Pretty
Paper Ornament Gift Card Holder
Make an ornament holder that you can add money or gift cards to. So pretty!
Ornament Shape Gift Card Holder – BHG,com
Cash Christmas Ornament
Make a personalized ornament that can be hung on the tree each year. Fill it with a few bucks for an extra surprise!
Christmas Money Ornaments – Family Mementos
Snowball Cash Gift Idea for Christmas
Kids love surprises and this reminds me of the old grab bags they used to have.
Christmas Snowball – Sunshine and Rainy Days
Creative ways to give cash for Christmas
Origami Money Christmas Tree Lot
Instead of just giving money in an envelope, which is so boring, fold the money into trees and make “a lot” of Christmas Trees:
Pop Up Gift Card Holder
Love this pop up gift card holder. Get the printable here:
Pop Up Gift Card Holder – Kristy Coromandel
<a href="#cb1ec38623"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-27411" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.smartfundiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2019-CTA-1-800x400.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400"></a>CLICK HERE to grab your free copy of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables!
Candy Coin Rolls for the College Student
This is such a great idea for College Students. Wrap rolls of quarters that will come in handy for trips to the laundromat or vending machines!
Candy Coin Rolls – Martha Stewart
Fat Stack of Chedda
Get this free printable label and how to …
Clever Christmas Tree Gift Poem
This idea shows you how to put money inside a Pez Dispenser. Give them one of their favorite characters!
Pez Dispenser – Creating Really Awesome Fun Things
Funny Toilet Paper
Make these printable toilet paper money gift ideas
Christmas “Bucks”
Use a deer ornament and add Christmas “bucks”:
Christmas Bucks – Jacolyn Murphy
Printable Santa Gift Box
We love this Santa's Belt gift box and it's free!
Free Pillow Box Printable – Creating Really Awesome Fun Things
Holiday “Dough” Free Printable
This free Christmas Poem is adorable and would be great for kids and grandkids:
Christmas Money Free Printable – Tessie Fay
Christmas card photo gift card holders
Give both a gift card and a Christmas photo in a clever way:
Picture Gift Card Holder – Family Disney
Money Maze Gift Idea
Here is a fun money maze game that will be perfect to play Christmas day!
Pretty Paper Gift Card Envelope
Use pretty paper to make a pop up gift card holder:
DIY Gift Card Holder – Karen Kavett
Wrapping Paper Gift Card Holder
Here is a fun double sided gift card or money holder. See how it's made:
DIY Gift Card Holder – K Werner Design
Envelope Ornament Gift Card Holder
Here is a super cute gift card bag holder:
Not sure who you bought that gift card for? You need this!
<a href="#cb1ec38623"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-27411" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.smartfundiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2019-CTA-1-800x400.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400"></a>CLICK HERE to grab your free copy of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables!
Gift Card Tag
Here is an easy tag gift card holder that is super cute!
Two Tags Gift Card Holder – Julie Davison
Christmas Stocking Gift Card Holders
Talk about super cute! How darling are these stocking gift card holders? Make a banner with them if you are giving several or add names for kids or grandkids.
Stocking Gift Card Holder – Paper Playhouse
Money Book
I don't know anyone who wouldn't want to receive a “book of money”. Write a nice note as a keepsake as well.
Book of Money – Martha Stewart
Notebook with money inside
Give a journal with money or gift cards attached to the pages. Write encouraging notes.
Creative Ways To Give Cash – Passion For Savings
Hidden Cash Gifts
Sports fan? They're gonna love this hidden gift card idea in a BALL!
How to make “Stay Ballin” gift card holder
Yarn Balls
These gift card yarn bombs are so creative! You have to see how the gift card is attached.
Gift Card Yarn Bombs – Thoughtfully Simple
Plastic Wrap Ball
Have you heard of the Saran Wrap Ball? It is such a fun way to give gift cards, money and candy to kids. It will definitely bring a few laughs with the kids! We did this one year for my nephew but to up the ante we put a bunch of loose coins and coin rolls inside so it was super heavy. And as he unrolled it, coins were flying all over the place. It was so hilarious!
Saran Wrap Candy Ball Game – Mom Luck
I do like to try to be more eco-friendly and using a whole of plastic wrap is not eco-friendly at all. You can do this same idea but wrap the ball using scarves, socks, and towels … things that you can actually use after you're done unwrapping the gift.
Got You Some Green
All you got me was socks?!
Teens love cool sports socks. Hide a gift card inside the socks! Two gifts in one!
10 Cool Ways To Give Cash or Gift Cards – Cul de sac Cool
Hidden Compartment Book
How about a book with a hidden treasure! Kids love secret hiding spots!
Decorative Book – Pretty Handy Girl
Soup Can Gift Card Holder
An inexpensive idea for wrapping gift cards. The kids will wonder why they are getting a canned good until they pull the tab! Better yet, make them get out the can opener to open their gift.
Cool Gift Wrapping Ideas – Happy Hooligans
Duct Tape Wallet filled with cash!
Make a duct tape wallet with just a few supplies. Place money or a gift card inside!
Duct Tape Wallet – Crafts By Amanda
Gold Brick
Make this spray painted “brick” with hidden cash!
Hidden Candy Cash
Fill a gum container with cash as a fun surprise.
Clever Money Gift Ideas – What Mommy Does
Tootsie Roll Bucket of Cash
Give a tin of tootsie rolls, but after they eat the tootsie rolls they will find money! What a nice surprise!
Tootsie Roll Bucket Of Cash – Mommy Savers
Make it Rain
Make an umbrella raining money
Hidden “nugget” Gift Card Holder
Get the tutorial for this fun nugget gift card holder:
Nugget Gift Card Holder – A Stamp Above
Printable Gift Cards and Cash Greeting Card Ideas
Pocket Gift Card Holder
Print this cute flat card with a pocket and a custom quote for the recipient. So cute!
Sunshine Pocket Gift Card Holder – The Crafting Chicks
Printable Amazon Gift Card Holder
Giving an Amazon gift card? Place it in an Amazon printable gift card holder:
Amazon Gift Card Printable – Paper Trail Design
10 Cute Printable Gift Card Holders
Here are 10 really cool printable gift card holders:
10 Printable Gift Card Holders – The Dating Divas
Surprise Money Card
Check out this fun surprise gift card!
Surprise Card – Craft and Creativity
Simple Gift Card Pocket Card
While this was used for Mother's Day, you can change out the paper and sentiment for Christmas or any holiday:
Gift Card Holder – Our Crafty Mom
Greeting Card Gift Box
See how surprisingly easy this gift card box is:
Gift Card Box – Paper Fantasies
CUTE paper monster gift card holders
We love these adorable monster gift card holders with googly eyes!
Monster Gift Card Holders – Snap Creativity
“Golden” Grahams
Stuff money in cereal … get the how-to here
Track all of your holiday gift ideas with this wish list + planner:
CLICK HERE to grab your free copy of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables!
Pretty Card With Secret Cash Inside
Make a pretty Card to hold cash. See how it's done:
Ways To Give Cash – Christian PF
Truck Card with Pocket Front
The little red truck is everywhere this Season. Why not make a card with a slot for money or a gift card?
Christmas Envelope Gift Card Holders
We love these adorable printable envelopes to hold gift cards:
Printable Christmas Envelopes – Easy Peasy and Fun
Hang an ornament banner to hold gift cards. Get the free printable here:
Holiday Gift Card Ideas – Gift Cards.com
Fabric Gift Card Holder
Use scrap fabric to make a Holiday cuff gift card holder with a printable template:
Gift Card Cuff – It's Toile Good: *Blog post has been removed but you can use the photo for reference!*
Fast Food Gift Card and Cash Gift Ideas
Money Fries!
Fill a fast food french fry container with money “fries”. For an extra treat, place a gift card to the fast food restaurant inside as well.
Creative Ways To Give Cash – Create It Go
Make a Money Pizza
We all know teens and College kids live on pizza. Give them a fun pizza box with a “money pizza”. Super cute!
Making Pizza Box Cash – Thrifty Fun
Coffee Gift Card Holder
Recycle a coffee cup with a gift card to their favorite coffee shop!
Quick Gift Wrap Ideas – Sew Many Ways
Candy Nuggets
Give Hershey Nugget candy wrapped in money in a cute DIY gift box.
Creative Way To Give Money – M. Musely
Santa's Candy Sleigh Gift Card Holder
This sleigh of candy is just adorable. Add a gift card to the front of the “sleigh:
DIY Candy Cane Sleigh – Dear Crissy
Soda Bottle Gift Idea
Give their favorite soda bottles with a burlap bag attached. Fill the bag with their favorite candy, money or a gift card.
Block of Candy Bars
Wrap several of their favorite large candy bars with money and a pretty bow!
Quick Gift Card Ideas – Simply J Studio
Coffee Gift Card Idea
Make a cute coffee cup holder and fill it with candy and a gift card. Too cute!
Coffee Cup Candy & Gift Card Holder – Stampin Scraper
Box of Chocolates Candy Gift Idea
The recipient will be happy with this candy box even if the candy is gone as long as there is money instead!
Teacher Gift Ideas
Tea themed teacher gift idea
Looking for a quick idea for a Teacher? Here is a free printable that is adorable:
Free Printable Teacher Gift – Cool Mom Picks
Target Gift Card Holder
So many people love to shop at Target. Here is a great printable to hold a Target gift card:
Teacher Target Gift Card Holder – Landeelu Creating A Home
Bookmark gift card holder
Make a book mark for the Teachers this year and add a gift card with this free printable:
Free Printable Teacher Gift Card Holder – Yellow Bliss Road
Spa Gift Day Printable
Give a gift card to their favorite spa and include a cute relax gift bag:
Spa Gift Idea – Passion For Savings
Gift Card Ideas for Guys
Travel Gift Card
Wouldn't this adventure awaits gift card holder be perfect for an “experience or adventure” gift card?
Adventure Awaits – Limedoodle Design
Fishing Vest Card
For the fisherman in your life, give this adorable fishing vest with a few bucks!
Fish More – Life Is What You Make It
Handyman Card
If the guy in your life is more of a handyman, make this tool belt gift card holder:
Gas Card Gift Idea for College Student
Give a membership to a gym or a gas gift card “pump it up”
Money Trees and Gift Card Wreaths
There were so many fun trees and wreaths with money. Here are some favorites.
This DIY money wreath is so pretty and easy to make!
Money Wreath – Passion For Savings
Keep track of all the GREEN you're giving with these FREE printables:
<a href="#cb1ec38623"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-27411" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.smartfundiy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2019-CTA-1-800x400.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400"></a>CLICK HERE to grab your free copy of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables!
An Origami Christmas Tree is such a great idea!
This Christmas Tree Card is so pretty. Plus you can add money as one or more of the trees!
Money Tree Card – Who Has More Fun
Here is another version of the money wreath. Love the folds on this one.
Giving Gift Of Money – Hog Wild About Stamping
Use a table top tree to hang gift cards. Again this could be used as a lottery tree.
Gift Card Christmas Tree – Gift Cards.com
Make a pretty ribbon wreath and tuck in gift cards. They can use the wreath after!
Gift Card Wreath – Crazy Little Projects
This Money Tree is such a fun idea!
Here is completely different version of the money tree but just as cute.
Giving Cash Doesn't Have To Be Boring – Indulgy
This little tree is just adorable! See how it's made here:
The Money Tree – Then She Made
This is one of my absolute favorites! Look at the darling little car with a money tree on top!
Christmas Tree On A Car – Jacolyn Murphy
See how this pretty sparkly tree is made. Love the little rolled up bills for an added treat!
Fun Ways To Give Money – Bead Happily Ever After
Crocheted or Knitted Gift Card Holders
This little snowman gift card holder is too cute! See how it's made:
Snowman Gift Card Holder – 1 Dog Woof
How about a little reindeer pouch to hold money or a gift card?
Reindeer Pouch – Repeat Crafter
This Santa gift card holder doubles as an ornament:
Santa Pocket Surprise Ornament – Cool Creativity
This little gift card holder is so fun and can be used to hold business cards after!
Crochet Gift Card Pattern – Petals To Picots
Here is a great tutorial for a Santa sack that you can fill with money or a gift card.
Santa's Sack Ornament – Highland Hickory Designs
Make a cute gift “card-igan” Again, this can hold business cards after!
Gift Card-igan – Simply Notable
Make this darling coffee mug and add their favorite coffee shop gift card! Use the coffee mug as a coaster after.
Crocheted Coffee Mug – Repeat Crafter
CLICK HERE to grab your free copy of 120 Ways to Give Gift Cards with the BONUS Holiday Planner Printables!
Are you ready to get creative with your gift card or money gifting this year? I sure am!
PIN this post to save these 120 gift card and ways to give cash ideas for later:
Lots of creative ways. I like the one in the Kleenex box . I will try that.
I love the great ideas
I’ve done the tissue box “Don’t blow it all in one place” a few times, and everyone loved it!!!!
Yeah that one is really funny 🙂
I love some of the ideas but I can’t seem to get the instructions especially for the Kleenex one HELP !
Love all these creative ideas…..thank you for sharing.
I’ve used the saran wrap 2 yrs in a row and my 4 grandkids loved it. I put money in a clear xmas bulb and used that for the center and wrapped candy, scratch off lottery tickets, dental floss, gum, etc and it was a hit! Looking for different ones to use this year. I like several of them.
That sounds like fun … do you think you will try the eco-friendly way this year?
This sounds awesome…I wish I could see a picture of what you made.
Lots of great ideas to give gift or cash. I’ll definitely try this.
Ever year I have given my grandson birthday money[he ‘s 18 this year] . Its been fun coming up with creative forms. Always is entertaining for all. Thank you for new ideas. Ready to start this tradition with four year old granddaughter
I’d love to know which idea you chose and how it went over – please come back and let us know what happened 🙂
Thanks for share Biggest Information
I asked my in-laws what we could get my grandmother-in-law for Christmas and the reply was cash. I feel a little uneasy with that just because grandparents usually give grandchildren money and I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. She has also had some struggle with accepting her age and the shift of having to be parented by her children (i.e, no longer safe for her to drive herself, personal hygiene issues)… Anyways, what is a fun or heartfelt way to give cash to a grandparent??
I can see how you might see that situation from that perspective … it is super thoughtful. Can you think of something that is really special to her and hide the cash inside of that presentation? Like maybe she LOVES tea so you take a tea tin and put cash inside … think about something she loves and would make her know you made some thoughtful effort and wrap it in that or present the cash in that way.
Will you let us know what you decide to do and what happened?
wow, it’s very creative way to gift. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely stunning! Thank you on a detailed impressive list! ?
I really appreciate the way you delivered this topic. You mentioned very minute things that are of high importance really good
How many creative ideas *-*
I loved them all.
Very creative website.
Congratulations!!!