How to Make A Money Plant / Bouquet

by Kelly D.

These days, when we give someone money, its usually in the form of a gift certificate or cash/check in a greeting card. The money plant is not only easy to do, its a great way to give the gift of money in a spectacular way.

Here's what you need:

- tissue paper (construction paper, origami paper, any paper that is colorful.. the size you'll want is something that is or can be cut into an approximately 6inchx6inch squares

- pipe cleaners (try to get ones that are a bit bigger/stronger if using heavier paper like construction paper)

- plant pot or basket or vase.. something to stand your money flowers in

- if using a pot or basket arrangement, you'll want a florist block or piece of styrofoam to poke the stem of your money flowers into so they will stand up, so if you want to keep it simple, just use a vase

- pencil or pen, something with a slight point to poke a hole in the paper

- money (depending on how many "flowers" you want in your arrangement, you'll want at least 10-15 bills.. so if you're giving someone 50$, break it into some 5s, 1s and 10s)

What to do:

Take a piece of whatever type of colorful paper you're working with and poke a hole in the center of it.

Now take one of your pipe cleaners and stick it through the hole so that about 2 or 3 inches of it through.

Crumple into a ball, or fold one of the bills so that it is small enough, and then wrap the 2-3 inches of pipe cleaner around it to keep it folded.

Gently fold and crumple the colorful paper up and around the piece of money, enclosing it, and arranging the folds of the paper into a "flowery" shape.

You can even cut the paper a bit to resemble tulips or lilies, but if you cut it when the money is folded inside, be careful not to cut the money!

Now you have one flower, repeat for as many bills/flowers needed.

If you're using a vase, you can simply put them into it. If you're using a flower pot or basket, put your styrofoam or florist block into it, and poke the "flower" stems into the block in whatever arrangement you'd like. You can cut or tear brown paper into strips and lay them in the pot/basket overtop of the block to cover it like "soil".

If you want, for a few added touches:

You can edge the "flower" petals in glitter, but you'll want to do each one individually so you can turn them on their sides to sprinkle the glitter over the glue you brush on. My suggestion is to use a smaller brush, dip it into the glue, and just apply the glue to the very edges or tips of the folds of paper, so that when the glitter is applied, and the flower shaken for the excess, you end up with a beautiful dewy look.

Also, there are all kinds of amazing papers (tissue, origami, homemade or pressed) that can cost a bit more but also look great, especially if you want to get really crafty.

Get creative with it, that's the most important thing. This is the best way I've ever seen to take something good but boring like a cash gift and turn it into something memorable. Especially if the receiver is going to be getting other cash gifts, like a graduate or older child's birthday, you'll really stand out among the envelopes and plastic gift cards!

About the Author - Kelly D. is a staff writer and editor for HolidaysDot.com.