Can I Just Give Cash?

Giving someone cash for a present is nice (that includes gift cards), but is a really boring gift, even if you've got a great card to enclose it in. Of course, if the amount of cash is substantial (let's say a couple of thousand dollars), then I'm sure that it will definitely excite the recipient!

I experienced this situation personally, because for every single gifting occasion over the years, my inlaws would give me an envelope (you're talking decades here). They weren't cheap with the money, but they never put any effort into getting to know my likes and dislikes — and so the kernel of an idea for Gyftit began to formulate. If people would take the time to let others know about their gift preferences... oh, wait! We now have a solution!

Anyway, don't get me wrong. It's very OK to give cash, as long as it's not all the time. That being said, it's just my personal opinion. So perhaps giving cash isn't the problem — it's how you present it! Call forth your Martha Stewart creative self and read on.

Do you love receiving flowers? What would you say if you got a dozen "roses" made out of twenty, fifty or hundred dollar bills? Wow! If you put the money flowers into some tissue and tuck them into a flower box, the surprise will be even greater — they'll never see it coming until they open the container. feltmagnet.com

If you're handy with a sewing machine, make a wallet (or buy an inexpensive one) and fill it with money or gift cards (or both)! Here is a website that shows you how to make one: infarrantlycreative.net

How about a money cake? You can buy one online from Etsy or make one yourself. Here are links for both: etsy.com, and   downredbuddrive.com

Make an origami creature out of a dollar bill. Heck, make a whole zoo out of money! Then put all the creations into an empty box of animal crackers! Here is a website that shows you how to fold paper into awesome works of art: diyprojectsforteens.com

Make a money chain or necklace for a new graduate or a competition prize winner. If you don't remember how to make chains out of paper (we did it as kids to decorate Christmas trees) learn how to make them here: lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.com

Other ideas

Slide money or a gift card into a favorite chocolate bar by carefully opening the wrapper and then gluing it shut afterwards. (Make sure you ask for a piece so you know they've opened it.)

Put the money or gift card into a business card holder. That way there's always something useful left after they've used up that Tim Horton's card.

Hide the money in a jar of their favorite wrapped candy. Better yet, wrap up the bill in one of the candy wrappers. They'll be surprised when they unwrap it (even more surprised if they share and their friend picks the candy with the money).

Give your friend the gift of a small empty Kleenex box with dollar bills taped together end to end and have just one dollar sticking out of it. You can probably fit between 80 and 100 bills. (In Canada, this could get expensive as the lowest paper currency denomination is $5.) Write "Don't blow it all in one place!" in your card.

Happy gifting!