10 creative ways to give cash as a graduation gift

Cut sheets of blank paper into dollar bill–sized pieces. On each one, write something you like about that person. The messages can be meaningful (“You’ve always been there for me.”), lighthearted (“You have cute shoes!”) or a mix!

Roll those into scrolls and tie them with pieces of thin ribbon. Then do the same with a bunch of dollar bills. Put them in a jar or some other clear container for a gift that will never be forgotten.

For a graduation party, buy balloons in the graduate’s school colors. Roll up the bill, tuck it into one of the balloons, and blow it up. The grad has to pop the balloon to get the gift.

Give a piggy bank with money already inside! College students are often short on change for laundry and vending machines, so a bank stuffed with quarters can be helpful indeed.

Buy an ice cube tray and fill each square with a folded-up bill. In the card, write: “Thought you could use some cold, hard cash!”

Feeling crafty? Transform your money into a proud peacock or a new-job shirt and tie. Unless you’ve done origami before, you might want to practice with one-dollar bills before trying it with a twenty.

Cover a piece of 8×10 scrapbook paper or card stock with cash, folded up as the letters to spell out “CONGRATULATIONS” or “CLASS OF (year).” Add it to a frame without the glass, for easy access. They can add their favorite photo to the frame later when the cash is all gone.

Are you giving money plus another gift? Trim the wrapped package with a cookie cutter, and put the cash or a gift card in an attached envelope that says: “Thought you might like some extra dough!”

A lot of banks still distribute dollar coins. They are golden in color, so why not get a bunch of them and mix them up in a bag with gold, foil-covered chocolate coins?

Fold a bunch of bills accordion-fashion to make them into little fans, and secure them with ribbon. Label a large envelope “Fan Mail,” put the money in, and seal. We recommend hand delivery so the fans don’t get smooshed.

Buy a small, old-fashioned photo album (the kind with plastic sleeves), and fill it with photos of the graduate’s school days. In a few spots throughout the book, tuck in a folded bill instead of a picture.

In Hawaii, people give leis to celebrate lots of different occasions—and for graduation and weddings, money leis are favorites. Our Hallmark photo stylist provides step-by-step instructions for making your own, and personalizing it with school colors.