20+ Cute and Creative Graduation Money Gift Ideas
Graduation season is here, and we all know that giving money is a super helpful gift for grads as they head off to their next big adventure!
But sometimes, just slipping cash into a card feels a little… well, expected.
I wanted to find some really sweet and creative ways to make giving money extra special and fun, so I rounded up over 20+ adorable ideas that will totally wow any graduate!
Get ready to get crafty and make their cash gift unforgettable!
1. Glass Bottle Gift for the Grad
Here’s a simple and super cute graduation money gift idea! Get a clear bottle and fill it up with rolled-up dollar bills.
You can even decorate the bottle with fun dots, like these gold ones! Then, add a little graduation cap on top.
It looks like a tiny diploma bottle filled with cash! It’s such a sweet and simple way to give money to celebrate their big achievement. So adorable!
2. Cute Bottle Message
Okay, check out this super cute little idea for a graduation gift! You can put a tiny graduation cap and some sparkly glitter inside a small bottle.
It looks so adorable and celebratory! Then, tie on a little tag that says “YOU DID IT!”.
It’s a sweet little keepsake that also reminds them of their big day. You could even tuck a tiny rolled-up bill in there if it fits, or just give it alongside some cash! How precious is that?!
3. Grad Gift With Dollar Diplomas
How sweet is this Grad Gift with Dollar Diplomas?!
You fill a clear jar with dollar bills that you’ve rolled up and tied with tiny ribbons, making them look just like little diplomas!
Then, pop a cute mini graduation cap right on top of the jar. It’s such an adorable and thoughtful way to celebrate their graduation and give them a little something special for their next step!
4. DIY Money French Fries
And then there’s this totally fun and quirky idea: Money Fries!
You use a little box that looks just like a container for French fries, maybe a red one with a familiar logo!
Then, you roll up dollar bills and tuck them inside so they stick out like crispy fries.
It’s such a playful and unexpected surprise, especially for someone who loves a good burger and fries! You’re literally giving them a box full of delicious dough!
5. Money Pizza
Okay, this next one is for the pizza lovers (and really, who isn’t?).
How adorable is creating a money pizza?
You arrange dollar bills inside a pizza box to look like a delicious pizza, maybe even adding some cut-out paper “pepperoni” or “veggies” on top!
And of course, you can also include a sign that says “The Best Part of the Pizza is the DOUGH!”
It’s such a cheesy (in the best way!) and creative take on giving cash, and it’s guaranteed to get a huge smile!
>> Learn how to create Money Pizza with step-by-step tutorial by TheSavvySparrow
6. DIY Origami Graduation Cap
This next idea is totally perfect for celebrating a graduation! Look how adorable these are – they’re little money graduation caps!
You just take a dollar bill and fold it up carefully to look like a tiny grad cap. Then, you add a cute little tassel in different colors, like the green, orange, and white ones here!
It’s such a clever and sweet way to give money to a grad. Instead of just handing over a card with cash, they get these miniature hats made of money!
It’s a really unique and festive touch for their special day. Imagine getting a handful of these! So much fun!
7. Light Bulb Gift
This one is just so clever and cute! You can put money inside a clear lightbulb-shaped container!
Fill it with some fun shredded paper and tuck rolled-up bills inside. Then, add a bright star-shaped tag that says, “Here’s To A Future as Bright as you are!” How sweet is that message?!
You can even add a tiny graduation cap decoration on top! It’s a perfect, punny way to give money and tell them their future is going to be amazing! Super bright idea!
8. DIY Surprise Money Confetti Poppers
This idea is bursting with fun! How about making DIY Surprise Money Confetti Poppers?!
You get these little clear popper tubes and fill them up with bright, colorful confetti. Then, you tuck rolled-up dollar bills right inside with all the sparkle!
When they pop it, they get a shower of confetti AND cash! It’s like a mini party that gives them money! What a happy and unexpected surprise! It’s such a fun and festive way to give a gift.
9. Fortune Cookie Jar
Here’s another simple and sweet idea! You can put money inside fortune cookies.
Then, place the fortune cookies, with the cash inside, into a nice glass jar.
Adding a little “Congrats” label on the jar makes it a sweet gift, perfect for celebrating.
10. Money Shirt
>> Learn how to create this money shirt step-by-step
Alright, speaking of creative wrapping, take a look at this!
How cute is making a money shirt? It’s such a clever way to use the bills themselves to create the gift!
You fold and arrange dollar bills to form the body of the shirt and even create a little collar and an adorable bow tie from cash. Then, you can use coins for buttons and maybe even tuck a little extra bill into a folded ‘pocket’.
It looks so sharp and is totally unexpected! It’s perfect for a birthday, graduation, or any special occasion for someone who appreciates a bit of crafty fun. Turning money into wearable art is a really sweet touch!
11. Cute Pink Money Bouquet
How about this for a sweet gift idea? You can make a money bouquet! It’s like getting flowers, but even better because it’s made of cash!
Look at this one! It uses neatly folded bills arranged like petals, mixed in with yummy-looking Ferrero Rocher chocolates – what a sweet combo!
It’s all wrapped up with pretty pink paper in a little pot and tied with a lovely pink bow.
There’s even a tiny graduation cap decoration, which makes this just perfect for celebrating a grad! It’s such a clever and thoughtful way to give someone a little bit of dough (hehe!) and chocolatey goodness all in one adorable package. They’re going to love it!
12. Money Tree
Here’s another sweet idea! You can make a money tree!
It looks like a little plant with crumpled dollar bills for leaves. Then, the pot is filled up with shiny coins as the “soil.”
It’s a really fun and creative way to give money, like they’re getting their very own cash plant!
13. Graduation Money Lei
Okay, this one is extra festive and fun! You can make a money lei for a graduate!
Look at this one, it’s made of folded-up dollar bills and bright, colorful ribbon or paper woven in between.
It looks like a celebratory necklace, but it’s made of cash! It’s such a cool way to literally shower them with money for their graduation day. Super fun and unique!
14. DIY Money Bouquet
15. DIY Cash In a Tin Can Gift
Oh, this is a fun idea, especially for a grad! You can decorate a simple can with happy messages like “CONGRATS GRAD YOU MADE IT WOO HOO!”.
Then, fill the can with goodies and money! Maybe add some festive tinsel or confetti popping out the top.
It’s like a little surprise explosion of celebration and cash! What a cute way to package a money gift for graduation!
16. Big Money Bouquet
Okay, this is another take on the money bouquet idea, and it’s so pretty! You can create a whole bouquet using dollar bills folded up like flowers.
Look how they’ve mixed in some yummy Ferrero Rocher chocolates with the money petals – what a sweet treat! It’s all arranged together to look like a beautiful bunch of flowers, but it’s made of cash!
It’s a really lovely and creative way to give money, perfect for lots of different occasions. Getting a bouquet like this would be a delightful surprise!
17. Graduation Origami Gown & Hat Card
Check out this sweet gown and hat grad card! Inside a graduation card, the dollar bills are folded up to look like a little graduation gown, cap, and even a tiny diploma.
It’s a really creative way to give money in a card that’s perfect for celebrating a graduate!
18. Funny Graduation Bruh Money Holder Gift
19. Personalized Photo Graduation Money Holder
20. Money Medal Award
Dollar bills folded and assembled to look like an award medal, complete with ribbons, symbolizing the graduate’s achievement.
21. Money Graduation Cap
This wearable graduation cap is made entirely from dollar bills wrapped around cardboard with a tissue paper tassel.
The blog provides detailed instructions on creating this unique gift that can be worn by the graduate.
22. Dollar Origami BowTie
A simple dollar bill folded to look like a bow tie, which can be given alone or combined with an origami shirt for a complete outfit.
Thank you For Reading!
Well, there you have it! Lots of fun and creative ways to give money for graduation that are way more exciting than just a plain envelope.
Whether you go for a money tree, a candy box surprise, or even money fries, the most important thing is the thought and effort you put into making their gift special.
I hope these ideas inspire you to get a little crafty and make your graduate feel extra celebrated!
Happy giving!