10 Money Gift Ideas for Christmas This Year

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Everyone appreciates money as Christmas gifts, but I understand how some people may worry that the gesture comes off a bit dull or impersonal. After all, you want to be like Santa Claus and give gorgeous gifts wrapped with love, letting your family or friends know that you put a lot of thought into your present!

Well, you can hit two birds with one stone by gifting cash and making it meaningful. There are so many unique ways to gift money other than simply handing dollar bills out! From money trees to wreaths, you can incorporate the spirit of Christmas in whatever you give.

Not only will it be a creative way to give cash for Christmas, but your loved ones will definitely appreciate it more so they have more control over how to use your gift! No need to wonder if they genuinely liked the gift or if they’ll ever use it because if they are anything like me, they will be grateful for the money just as they will be with anything else they are gifted.

So, if you’re wondering how to give cash as a gift for Christmas, then you’re in the right place. Here are some awesome ideas you can get inspired by!

 

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1. Fun Christmas Money Tree

Money doesn’t grow on trees, you say? Then what do you call this? Here’s a tree with “fruits” your loved ones will love to harvest ASAP!

For me, this is one of the best Christmas money gift ideas because what better way to signify the holidays than a decorated tree?

Making this is very simple and you have complete control over the way you want to decorate! All you need is to purchase a mini Christmas tree, place your chosen ornaments, and hang mini envelopes filled with your cash gifts. It doesn’t get any easier than this, so gift your loved ones a literal money tree this December 25!

 

2. Unique Cash in Snowballs

If you put money in “snowballs,” is that considered as you giving cold, hard cash this Christmas?

Whether or not that’s the case, there’s no denying just how cute it would be to be gifted a handmade snowball with cash inside. You can throw snowballs like that to me all day long!

These snowballs aren’t just cool ideas for giving money as a gift, they also work for other small items, may it be for gift cards, candies, and small novelty toys. Make it even more creative by wrapping it up with a cute ribbon and tag.

 

3. Aesthetic Christmas Advent Calendar

Here’s one way you can get the kiddos extra excited for the Christmas countdown! You don’t need to add a lot of dollar bills into each envelope, a couple of dollars will do for the first few days. Once the last envelope is ready to open, that’s when you include their full cash gift!

I recommend adding tiny cards inside each envelope with cute messages or photos as a family. After all, the true meaning of Christmas doesn’t only lie in the gifts we receive, but the memories we make with our loved ones.

 

4. Yummy Chocolate Box of Money

This will be the sweetest gift anyone would be receiving, even if you took away the chocolates inside the box!

If you have a pretty box of candies lying around the house, it’s a great way to recycle it! Or hey, use this as an excuse to buy tons of chocolates to use the box for your cash gift. If anyone asks where the chocolate went, just point to your tummy!

This is one of the unique ways to give money for Christmas that anyone would be grateful for. Imagine their surprise when they see cash instead of sweets, they’ll be left speechless!

 

5. Money in Adorable Stockings

You and your family probably have the tradition of placing small trinkets like candies or small toys inside Christmas stockings. Well, what about this year, you place envelopes of cash inside your family’s stockings as a fun surprise?

Sneak your little gift inside stockings when everyone’s sleeping, so when it’s time to open gifts, they’ll be surprised with what they find inside! It’s a cute idea to gift money rather than the usual passing of envelopes. If you want to be extra, make customized stockings for the family just for this occasion!

 

6. Lovely Money Gift Ornaments

This is one of my favorite ways to gift money on Christmas because no one would expect ornaments to carry such a lovely present!

I think the best way to gift this ornament is to sneak it into the Christmas tree as camouflage! Don’t let anyone know they have their own personalized ornament with a cash gift inside until Christmas Day.

Once the special day comes, that’s when you drop the bomb and point out the final surprise on the Christmas tree, which was under their noses all along! Everyone’s going to have a laugh and I’m sure they’ll appreciate the gift even more.

 

7. DIY Money Wreath

Word of advice – Don’t hang this wreath outside your home! Kidding aside, Christmas wreaths are such a huge symbol for the holidays, so it makes sense to incorporate this important decor with your cash gift idea.

It’s actually very easy to do and you can do it while everyone’s sleeping, so when they’re up and ready for Christmas Day, your loved one will be welcomed with the most expensive wreath they’ve seen! You can wrap it up with red ribbons to make it look more festive and hang it on your Christmas tree or fireplace for that surprise factor.

 

8. Sweet Gift Card Holder

If you’re thinking of gifting gift cards over physical cash, this is a cute idea, especially if your loved one is obsessed with Jolly Ranchers! They’ll think that they’re only receiving their favorite candy, only to see that there’s a gift card to their favorite store waiting inside.

Of course, you can replace the gift card with cash as you wish. Either way, a gift tag that says, “Have a Holly Jolly Rancher Christmas” will be perfect for this. And no, I’m not sponsored by Jolly Ranchers, I just happen to really love these candies!

 

9. Sugary Christmas Money Gift Jar

What about festive-colored M&M’s? These chocolate jars are made for those with a sweet tooth for chocolate. It’s also one of the funny ways to give money for Christmas because they’ll never think to see money in the middle of their favorite chocolates!

It’s a simple way to gift money in a creative way and it’s so easy to do, using materials you already have at home. All you need are old jars, cardboard tubes from tissue rolls, candies, and ribbons! Fix them all together nicely and you’ve got yourself a pretty gift! Make sure the jar covers aren’t transparent so you don’t ruin the surprise.

 

10. Fancy Christmas Gift Card Envelopes

Are you in a pinch? The classic envelope is the way to go, you’ll just want to make it extra fancy and creative! While you can purchase Christmas cards and envelopes in stores, you may also want to make your own and add a personal flair to it!

Besides placing your cash gift in a pretty envelope, I recommend adding a photo or a short heartfelt letter. That way, your loved ones will know that you put much thought into your gift.

Are you giving a physical present alongside your cash gift? Then you can tape the envelope on top of your wrapped present, so it’s two gifts in one!
 

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