If you're not convinced by these four reasons [1] of why it's better to give cash than gift cards, perhaps these nine creative ways of dressing up your dollar bills will change your mind. Consider giving cash as a gift this holiday season, and remember that cash does not always have to be cold, hard, and unappealing!
— Additional reporting by Macy Williams
Money Origami
There are tons of moneygami sites on the web like Origami Resource Center [2] that will teach readers how to fold their cash into works of origami art. If the explanations are too confusing, take a look at some of the money origami how-to videos [3] available on YouTube. I would advise practicing with regular paper first because you don't want to ruin your bills!
Wallets and Coin Purses
Putting cash in a brand-new cute coin purse [5] or wallet is a great and classy way to gift money. Keep your eye out for unique money holders that will make a great gift and a cute package for your money bills.
Money Bookmark
Give the gift of knowledge along with cash. Buy a good book you think the receiver would love, and insert some cash as a bookmark. It'll be extra nice if you leave it on certain page that you think would appeal most to the person you're giving it to.
Add a nice little note explaining your gift and the page you marked. You can say something along the lines of, "I thought this particular paragraph was pretty inspiring, and it reminded me of your strength and perseverance."
Willy Wonka Money Ticket
This is a fun way to gift a kid or an adult who is a child at heart with money! Buy a Willy Wonka chocolate bar [6] (or bars!) and a gold or yellow envelope. Take a black marker and write the words "Wonka's Golden Ticket" on it. Insert the cash into the Golden Ticket envelope, and you're good to go!
Money Bow
You can tie bows around a stack of cash or rolled-up bills. After all, the cash is a present, so a ribbon around it will make it look like one!
Treasure Chest Gift Basket
Another way to dress up money is to put it in a gift basket or cool container. This mini treasure box [7] from Etsy seems pretty fitting!
Money Tree
Get a small potted plant, and tie bills around it to make a mini money tree. A neat idea is to include a cute note in the card saying, "Guess what? Money really does grow on trees!"
Traditional Greeting Card
You can always use regular greeting cards to insert your cash, but remember to add a meaningful message. A good suggestion is to add fun money quotes like Oscar Wilde's "It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating."
Money Balloons
A gift of money is not gauche if you dress it up in a balloon with cute confetti!