By Noreen Doll.
A Christmas money tree makes a very fun gift, and it’s perfect for anyone.
You can use any denomination of dollar bills to create it, so you can give whatever amount of money you want to.
7 bills were used to create this money tree.
I found this great idea at Then She Made.
I thought a gold dollar coin would make a fun tree topper in place of a star.
Supplies.
7 Dollar Bills of any amount.
Green Floral Wire
1/4 Inch Dowel – 12 Inches Long
1 Clean Can – 14.5 to 15 ounce size.
Decorative Paper – 4 inches by 10 inches, or size that fits around can.
Double Sided Tape
Styrofoam Chunk to fill can
Greenery for around the tree base.
Ribbon
How to Make a Christmas Money Tree.
1. Prepare the can.
Cut the styrofoam to fit snuggly in the can. Mine didn’t fit all the way to the top, so I tightly packed some paper to fill the can the rest of the way.
Use the double sided tape to attach the decorative paper to the outside of the can.
2. Poke one end of the dowel down the middle of the can and through the center of the styrofoam.
3. Fan fold all the dollar bills long ways, every 1/2 inch.
Then fold the bills in the center like this, making a larger fold in each bill as you go toward the top of the tree.
4. Cut a piece of floral wire 24 or more inches long. Wrap it tightly around the dowel near the base so that the remaining ends are the same length.
5. Starting with the longest folded bill, attach it with an X across the front, bringing the wires around to the back of the dowel and crossing them again before bringing them back to the front of the dowel.
6. Attach the next longest bill just above the first one, in the same way – like lacing a shoe.
Continue attaching the bills, working toward the shortest one at the top.
After you attach the top dollar bill, wind each end of the wire around the dowel again and bend the wires down the back of the dowel.
7. To attach the coin at the top, cut a piece of floral wire about 12 inches long.
Starting at the center of the wire, wrap it twice completely around a 1/2 inch PVC pipe (or similar size shape).
With the circles at the top of the dowel as shown, wrap each wire end around the top of the dowel a few times to hold the circles firmly in place.
8. Add a gold president coin, or other similar coin, between the two wire circles. Bend the circle wires to hold the coin firmly in place.
9. Tie a ribbon, twine or yarn around the can and finish with a bow.
Tips
If you can’t find a dollar coin, use a foil wrapped chocolate coin instead.
Instead of all dollar bills, cut pieces of green paper to the size of dollar bills and write encouraging messages or good wishes on them and use them in place of one or two of the bills.
Noreen Doll.
Conniecrafter says
That is such a neat idea, a lot better idea than just giving a check or gift card to somewhere they might not want.
Julie says
What a lovely idea, In the UK the smallest note is a £5 so this would have to be for a gift of at least £35, though I see you are being super generous here with $101. At least we have loads of coins to choose from for the top.
You have such a lot of good ideas!
Milena Yancheva says
Great idea! Thanks for the tutorial!
Have a nice weekend!
Hugs!!!
Noreen says
Maybe instead of money in each place, a few of them could be good wishes written on paper cut to the size of the bills.
Natalie says
What a nice gift for anyone, anytime! This is a nicer looking way to give money than the standard gift card. It could be used for many occasions. Thank you for sharing!
Connie says
This is a good idea. Especially when sometimes your children think you have a money tree. Thank you for sharing.
Marie@InteriorFrugalista says
Love this idea! I’m always scrambling around trying to find some small trinket to attach the cash onto – this is perfect – much better than a box of chocolates or tri-pack of gum. Thanks for the inspiration and I’m so glad I found you over at the Your Great Idea Linky Party!
Kristina & Millie says
awesome idea! I would love to receive one or a dozen of these myself! 🙂 hope you will come by and link to our Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Oh who wouldn’t love to receive this fun gift?!! So cute and clever! A really unique way to give cash.
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Thanks for sharing this cute idea with us at MM tonight – pinning!
Erin Foerch says
Such a cute idea! Thanks for the tutorial!
Beverly says
What a clever idea! Great tutorial.
Have a great week,
Bev
anastasia says
Great idea!
Can I have one of this ;D
hugs
Linda says
Beautiful tutorial, Noreen! So needful at this time. Your friend, Linda
Ursula says
Nice tutorial! My kids would love it, wonder if they could keep their hands of the bills…
visiting from Ladybugblessings linky 😉
Ursula
Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says
Oh my heavens, this is so cute! Love it. Thanks so much for sharing at this week’s Project Inspire{d}~ pinned!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
What a fun and clever way to give someone money for Christmas. I love this idea. Thanks so much for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, marty
Deonna Wade says
It’s Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! I love this post and would love for you to link up to the Merriest Blog Hop and share your creations!
Carli says
What a super cute idea! Pinning! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing on Family Friday Link Up Party!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
Very creative way to give cash because it is still in a “present” form. Thanks for sharing at the Pinworthy Projects Party!
Jessa says
What a clever idea! I love this and am going to do this for the holidays!
Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says
I love this idea … pinned it and shared on Facebook! Found you at Kitchen Fun with my 3 sons!
Ginger says
Such a cute idea and it helps make a cash gift a little more personal. Thanks for linking up to Gingerly Made’s Show & Tell.
Patricia says
What a lovely idea, I would love to receive one of these lol!
Mrs. Sarah Coller says
This is a cute idea…thanks for sharing at Make Bake Create!
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above says
This is such a cute idea. Someone is going to have a fun Christmas. Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party. You help make the party a success.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
Susan @ Oh My! Creative says
Thank you for linking to Whimsy Wednesday! Your money tree makes a perfect gift and I featured it today!
Hope your holidays are Merry and Bright!
Susan
Christy L says
How awesome is this. i love it. Can’t wait to try it.
Vivian says
Hello there! Thanks for linking up to our party. This project is really cute and was one of the features 😉 Thanks again and we invite you to come link with us every thursday!
Ginger says
Featuring YOU today over on my blog. Thanks so much for linking up to {wow me} wednesday. 🙂
Ginger
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
This is a great idea! This would make a great gift for my grandkids. Their getting to the age that I don’t know what to get for them. Their getting picky on clothes. I think they would be tickled to get a money tree. Only problem, their parents would probably wonder where their’s were. ;-D Thanks for sharing this awesome idea.
Tiffany says
Wonderful idea!! Totally going to make this
Clare says
That is amazing! Sometimes money is the best gift to give someone but it just doesn’t seem right to stick it in an envelope – this is so much better!
Sharon @ Blue Willow House says
What a clever way to give money as a gift. Thank you for sharing at The Southern Special.
Lou Lou Girls says
Oh my! This looks incredible! Pinned and tweeted. We always love partying with you, I hope to see you Monday at 7 pm at our party. Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Linda says
HI, Noreen, I just noticed.. you don’t have a Facebook account? Sometimes I go over and share a post from there but if not I’ll post this page. I LOVE this idea. Always looking for ways to inspire readers.. this is a big one for most people and fun way to give money. This is such bad grammar. Sorry. Your friend, Linda
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
These are awesome Noreen – such a great idea!
Noni says
This is lovely! I now know how to give $ to my grandkids this year. Thanks for the tutorial 🙂