Creative ways to give money for Christmas
10 ideas that a child will actually remember, from five minutes to one afternoon.
Sathian Srikrishnan, dad and founder · Updated
Turn the money into something to open, find or keep. For under 8s, hide it in a game or a treasure hunt. For older kids, tie it to a goal. If you want it to last, start their savings instead of handing over cash.
Pick in 10 seconds
| Idea | Best age | Your time | Wow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pull-out money box | 4–10 | 10 min | ★★★ |
| 2. Paper-envelope reveal | 3–8 | 5 min | ★★ |
| 3. Treasure hunt | 4–10 | 30 min | ★★★ |
| 4. 12 days of money envelopes | 6–14 | 20 min | ★★ |
| 5. Money tree | all | 30 min | ★★ |
| 6. Puzzle box | 8–14 | 5 min | ★★ |
| 7. "For your…" goal note | 8–16 | 5 min | ★★ |
| 8. Letter to open at 18 | all | 20 min | ★★★ |
| 9. A savings jar you fill together | 4–10 | 10 min | ★★ |
| 10. Start their savings | all | 5 min | ★★★ |
Fun ways to give money at Christmas (ages 3–10)
1. The pull-out money box
Roll bills, tape them end to end and feed them through a tissue box. They keep pulling.
- You need
- an empty tissue box, tape, small bills
- Time
- 10 min
- The catch
- use fives and ones so the line is long.
2. The paper-envelope reveal
Put the bills and a short note in a paper envelope. Draw a picture on the front. Let the child open it and read the note with you.
- You need
- a paper envelope, a pen, bills
- Time
- 5 min
- The catch
- a parent can help younger children open it.
3. The treasure hunt
Five clues around the house, with the money at the last stop. Pictures for clues if they can't read yet.
- You need
- 5 paper clues, a box
- Time
- 30 min
- The catch
- write the route down so you remember it.
Creative ways to wrap money for Christmas
4. 12 days of money envelopes
Twelve small envelopes, one a day from Christmas Day. Each has a little cash and a note: "for ice cream", "for a book".
- You need
- 12 envelopes, a pen
- Time
- 20 min
- The catch
- they spend it as they go, and that's the point.
5. The money tree
Fold bills into bows and clip them to a small potted branch.
- You need
- a branch or mini tree, clips, ribbon
- Time
- 30 min
- The catch
- it's for the photo; the money comes off the same day.
6. The puzzle box
Put the money in a puzzle box they have to solve to open.
- You need
- a puzzle box (about US$10–20 in stores)
- Time
- 5 min
- The catch
- test that you can open it first.
Money gift ideas for older kids (8–16)
7. The "for your…" goal note
Give the money with a note naming what it's for: "for your first bike", "toward the guitar". Money with a goal gets saved.
- You need
- a card
- Time
- 5 min
- The catch
- ask their parent what the goal is first.
8. A letter to open at 18
Write what you hope for them, seal it with a bill inside, and write "open at 18" on the front.
- You need
- paper, an envelope, one bill
- Time
- 20 min
- The catch
- give it to their parent to keep safe.
Gifts of money that last
9. A savings jar you fill together
Give a clear jar with the first coins inside, and add to it every visit.
- You need
- a jar, a label
- Time
- 10 min
- The catch
- it only grows when you're there.
10. Start their savings
Cash gets spent by New Year. A Proof starts the child's own Tooth Fairy Savings with US$10, and comes as a printed book with their drawing and your photo inside. Their parent accepts it with a QR code; you can give again for every tooth or birthday.
- Cost
- US$59 once, shipping included
- Time
- 5 min
- Note
- Order by Dec 11 for Christmas.
Common questions
Is it OK to give money for Christmas?
Yes. Any idea above turns it into a present to open.
How much should I give?
Whatever fits your budget. The way you give it matters more than the amount.
How do I give money to a child too young to spend it?
Hand it to their parent with a note, or start their savings (idea 10) so it's there when they're older.
How do I give money to a grandchild who lives far away?
Mail an envelope from idea 4 or 8, or send a Proof straight to their home.