Looking for a fun graduation gift? Check out this list of 22 Creative Money Gift Ideas for Grads!
Easy and Creative Ways To Gift Money
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These are some really unique ways to give a kid what they really want, while wrapping it in a way that will make them smile!
Gift Card Snow Globe – Who doesn’t love gift cards?! Glam it up by creating a snow globe around your card, with this idea from All Things G&D and The Creative Mama.
Floating Funds – This idea from Sugar and Charm is SO COOL! Fill clear balloons with confetti and some rolled up bills.
Light Bulb of Cash – Gift a kiddo a fake light bulb filled with bills, with his unique idea from Good Houskeeping. Half the fun is that they will need tweezers to pull them out!
Dollar Tie – Fold dollar bills to make a tie, with this cool idea from My Weekly Pinspiration! Your kiddo will think they’re getting a new dress shirt, and laugh when they see the tie is made of money.
Emergency Cash Gift – This DIY piggy bank (filled to the brim with starter cash) from The Crafty Blog Stalker is the perfect send-off for a new college student!
Pizza Money – This adorable idea from Hative is seriously a dorm life necessity, haha! All you need is a clean pizza box, and some cash!
Unique Ways To Gift Money for Graduation
Money Pad – Tear off sheets of (real) money, with this cool tutorial from Instructables Living! Make one yourself by gluing the ends of a fresh stack of one dollar bills with rubber cement.
Balloons! – A box of balloons will surprise your kiddos. Loving this idea from Studio DIY! Roll up a bill and put it into each balloon, along with a little note. Fill them up with helium, and mail!
Super Hero Banks – Give your kids some money and a chance to learn how to save funds with a mason jar bank, with this idea from Fireflies and Mud Pies.
Saving Picture Shadow Box Bank – Gift an event to your kids – and help them learn to save up for it! This idea from A Mom’s Take is perfect for the gifts that you can’t afford yet.
Money Lei – This DIY idea from One Hundred Dollars a Month is especially perfect for the Grad who is taking advantage of a gap year, or traveling before college starts!
Money Machine – Okay, so this one isn’t so much a DIY as it is a “buy”, but who couldn’t use one of these?!
Hide it and Surprise Them With Money!
Candy Coins – Gift your kids a day at the arcades or the State Fair, along with a roll of quarters so they can enjoy the games with this brilliant idea from Martha Stewart!
Star Origami – Put a creative twist on the money itself and origami it into the shape of a star with this festive tutorial from Little Miss Celebration.
Candy *Money* Jar! – Check out this cool tutorial from Inking Idaho… Your kids will *think* they are getting a candy jar, and what kiddo doesn’t want a candy jar? But they’ll discover there’s actually a wad of money in there!
Money DOES Grow on Trees – Make a money tree for a tween for any holiday, or a sweet Grad gift, with this cool idea from Then She Made! You can include it in an over-sized card to be a bit more discreet.
Cool Ways to Gift Money to Grads
DIY Surprise Money Confetti Popper – This tutorial from Studio DIY is so fun! When your kiddo bursts the confetti, they will have a bonus surprise–cash!
Box of “Chocolates” – This fun idea from Life as Mom will make the kids think they’re getting a box of chocolates. But little do they know, there’s actually money inside!
Tacky Way – How many kids actually reads the entire card, anyway? This idea from imgur is a fun way to make them laugh (and give them what they really want).
Money Rose – This adorable tutorial from Felt Magnet teaches you how to create your own rose using bills. Adorable folding makes a sweet and creative gift!
It Pays to Soap Up! – Follow this tutorial from Rustic Escentuals Crafting Library and learn how to fold a bill into a fun shape with origami, and then pour a translucent soap over the bills and let it harden. Your kids will get paid to wash their hands.
Stocking Stuffer/ Small Gift – This idea from Soap Deli News is another version of the money soap, above. Make these DIY melted soaps with money in the middle! Then as your kids wash they use the soap and the money will become available.
More Fun Ideas for Graduation
Have fun celebrating the new grad in your life! Check out even more DIY ideas below:
- Awesome Graduation Gifts You Can Make at Home
- 15 DIY Gifts in a Jar
- 55+ of the Best Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
- 15+ Things You Never Thought You Could Mail
Give a shout out to your special grad in the comments below, and congrats to them!
These ideas are so cute!! I especially love the date night in a tin idea. Literally so simple, just things we’d usually buy but with an extra special feel! I’ll definitely be doing this to surprise my boyfriend.
I also like the fact that you can make a basket out of literally any theme so it’s the perfect gift for anyone!
Thanks so much!!!
I love the idea of giving the kids (and adults) experiences as gifts! Creating special memories is the best kind of gift. We usually do a house decluttering and donations before the holidays to prepare. I’m definitelly using some of your ideas for inspiration. Thanks for sharing!
Can I buy flight ticket to SA using TBC?