Don’t Just Give Out Ca$h This Holiday – Give These Clever Money Gifts Instead!

No matter how hard you try to avoid it, there will always be that one hard-head that absolutely refuses to give any gift ideas for themselves. So what do you do? Buy them something that you know they probably wouldn’t use…. or give in and give them cash? My family has always disliked giving money away as a gift because well, quite frankly, it’s boring. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! My pre-teen is being especially stubborn this Christmas and insists that she doesn’t want anything. <Insert eye roll here> I just happen to know, posssssibly from experience with this particular child, that all of this will change about a week away from *the big day.* But, guess what? At that point it’s a lil too late for Mama Bear to be running around trying to make last minute wishes come true. My solution? Well… a handful of gift cards and, yeah, I’m actually saying it. Money.

I figured I at least had to jazz it up a bit. If I’m giving out cash, it’s gonna be creative! So I decided on these two gifts – a candy jar and a homemade card. This way there will be more to my present than just a thin sheet of a cotton and linen blend (did you know that’s what dollar bills are made of!? True story!)

For this M&M filled candy jar, these are the things you’ll need:

• empty jar
• toilet paper roll
• wrapping paper
• holiday M&Ms
• money-honey

Step 1) Wrap your toilet paper roll in wrapping paper.

Step 2) Stick the roll inside of the jar and begin filling the sides with M&Ms!

Step 3) Place the money inside of the toilet paper roll and seal with a lid. Add a cute label if you’d like or tie a ribbon around the top if you prefer.

For the “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees” card, this is what you’ll need:

• blue, white, green, and brown construction paper
• scissors, glue, tape
• dolla dolla bills yo!

Step 1) Fold blue paper in half to make a card. Cut a snow slope shape out of the white paper and glue to the bottom of the blue card.

Step 2) Cut trees out of the green paper and make square trunks with the brown. Fold dollar bills into triangles.

Step 3) Glue everything in place except for money (use tape for that or your recipient may be a bit upset!) 🙂

It took me 15 minutes to put each of those crafts together which, actually, totally beats driving to the store and standing in line doesn’t it? Candy jars for everyone this year!!! I kid, I kid.

“May the season bring you the music of laughter, the warmth of friendship, and, always, love.” – unknown

Happpppy Holidays!!

Zoom on over to MyMilitarySavings.com to check out what other holiday tricks we may have! <3