Money is a timeless and versatile gift, but let’s face it — presentation is everything! If you’re planning to give a monetary gift for a birthday or graduation, consider elevating it by making a festive money “cake.” These were made with 50 one-dollar bills; simply use bigger bills for a larger gift. Don’t be fooled, there’s nothing edible about these cakes!
Supplies
- Crisp bills (shown in photo: 50 one dollar bills; use bigger bills for a larger gift)
- Pencil or dowel
- A bag of small clear hair rubber bands (check dollar stores)
- 2-3 really large rubber bands
- 2-3 round Styrofoam discs various sizes OR round cookie tins
- Ribbon
- Removable tape or glue dots
- Glue gun or double-sided tape
- Embellishments to decorate ribbon and top of cake
- One round cake board or paper doily (optional)
Instructions
- Roll the bills around a pencil or dowel (use a 5/8” dowel to make them bigger); use a small rubber band to keep rolled.
- Put one large rubber band around each Styrofoam disc or cookie tin.
- Tuck the rolled bills under the rubber bands in a standing position until the discs are completely covered.
- Cover the large rubber bands with ribbon; secure in place with removable glue dots or tape.
- Embellish the “cake” using stickers or other miscellaneous décor.
- Adhere the top layer of the cake to the bottom layer using a glue gun or double-sided tape
- Place completed cake on cake board and/or paper doily (optional)
Tips
- Do not use super glue or hot glue on the money as it will damage the bills.
- The larger you roll the bills, the less money you will need to fill the cake.
- Wrap the small rubber bands around the bills before removing them from the pencil or dowel.
- Do not use Styrofoam discs or cookie tins that are taller than the bills.
- Inexpensive decorations/embellishments are available at dollar stores.
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San Diego resident, Diana Buell, loves making crafty gifts in her spare time.
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