How Can I Make a Money Tree?

Money Trees are excellent gifts, and ones that never dim in popularity. The practice of endowing someone with money in an ostentatious way, for very special occasions, is an old one. Some of the nicest traditions are centered around weddings, where bills might be licked and stuck to the bride’s forehead during the public reception, so that the effect is of raining money, or blanketing riches on the new couple. Other origins can be traces to the graduation gown, where the pocket behind the back was traditionally used as a means for collecting money by the recent graduate, so they would have enough to set out and make their way in the world.

These traditions do feed into the idea of the money tree, making a large and visible statement, and offering a very quaint metaphor for a rich life to come. The really superb thing about a money tree is that it serves as a real metaphor, if there can be such a thing. The gift is cash, and the tree will continue to grow, as a symbol of the growth or increase in finances that is to come for the lucky recipient.

In this way, it is a good idea to have a real tree, or some kind of living plant, to serve as the basis of the gift, because it can be used to decorate the home after the money is removed. Trees are ideal because the branches take the bills easily, and help to further literalize the metaphor. Traditional money plants can also be certainly used, but so can any plant that might strike you as appropriate.

Some of the most elegant touches to these come with the design and placement of the bills. Have a good supply of wire, and a good supply of money as well. Small bills can offer a more startling effect, since they can fill it up more quickly than the larger denominations. Fold the bill like an accordion, and attach a small strip of wire to the center. Fan the edges of the bills so that it looks like a bow tie, and attach. It’s possible to get more ornate and creative than this, depending on your folding skills and time available, but keep in mind that no matter how simple the design, it’s still an excellent gift.