Giving Money
I have a couple of ideas on how to give money that are more interesting than writing a check.
The Money Ball
I saw this idea on Carol Duvall a few years ago. They didn't put money in it though, just trinkets. This can be used as a way to give small gifts instead of or in addition to money. This idea works any time of year, and is best when the recipient will be unwrapping gifts in front of a group.
First get the money. I like to use several different denominations. Two dollar bills, half dollars and dollar coins are best. Its a good idea to call your bank before going to pick up the cash, especially if you want a large number of twos or dollar coins. For this idea, the bills do not have to be be new, because you are going to crumple them up anyway.
It is fun to include a few small trinkets as well as money. These items should be either small or flat and flexible. Small candies, earrings, sheets of stickers. These items will depend on the recipient. They can also be selected to match the theme of the occasion. I like to include at least one item that rattles loudly.
The final ingredient is crepe paper. Get a couple of different colors that match the occasion.
Now is time to start the money ball. If you have one important gift, use that for the center. If not, I like to put a rattley item in the center, although it can be a bit of a let down to unwrap and unwrap and unwrap to get down to a container of jumping beans in the center. In any case, wind crepe paper around your first item until it is completely covered. Wrap it as though you were winding a ball of string. Then continue to wind crepe paper around the ball, inserting gifts and money as you go. Change colors as the mood strikes you. Use your smallest items in the center, bills and other flexible items can be wrapped around the ball as you go. Keep going until you run out of stuff. I usually make these about six to eight inches in diameter.
These are fun to give and fun to get, and they don't have to be wrapped.
The Money Pack
This is the most elaborate idea on this page. It can take a couple of days to put together, so its not a last minute gift.
Back to step one. Get the money. For this project you will need bills only. It is best to use new bill is you can get them. I've always used two dollar bills, but you could use ones or even a combination of denominations if you want. Your bank should be able to get what you want, but you should call them a day or two in advance. You will also need a piece of paperboard and two slips of paper cut to the size of a dollar bill which is about 2.61 inches wide by 6.14 inches long. Its probably easier to trace a bill. Use your graphics program to design the two strips of paper. One is a cover for the pad, the other is a reorder slip. The cover usually has some joke about waiting till the ink is dry or not using in front of federal agents. The reorder form includes a price that is higer than the face value of the money in the packet. You will need some heavy duty clamps, and glue. I've always used a heavy duty glue that we have here at work, but I think that rubber cement will work fine.
You've probably figured out where this is going. Start with the paperboard, stack two or three bills, then the reorder form, the rest of the bills, and finally the cover. Clamp the whole stack to a board. Brush glue on one of the short ends of the stack and let dry. This may be fragile, but will last through the unwrapping, which is all you really care about. Although my mother did carry the pack of money around with her and peel bills off in front of cashiers at stores.
Money Books
This is a good idea for a themed party, like a retirement party or a shower. Its my least favorite, but is quick and easy.
The cash for this gift should be bills, but they don't need to be new or any particular denomination. I tend to use two dollar bills because they are different. You will also need a book that matches the theme of the party, like a travel book at a retirement party or a job hunting book for a graduation party. Most book stores have bargain tables, and thrift stores are a good place to find inexpensive books.
Simply put the bills between the pages of the book. I like to put them all the way into the book so the bill do not fall out easily. The recipient will actually have to turn the pages of the book to get the money out. The problem with this approach is that they might not find the bills by glancing casually through the book. Its not a bad idea to have an accomplice when you use this idea. If the recipient doesn't figure it out, your accomplice can ask to see the book and point out that it is full of money.
I hope you've enjoyed my ideas. I would love to hear creative ways that you give money. Please give me a shout. Be sure to let me know if its ok to put your idea on this page. I'll include your name and a link to your website if you would like.