Monthly Archives: August 2015

Rubber Band Ball Creative Money Gift

- - Kids, Money

Rubber band balls make a fun bouncy toy for kids and a great stress reliever toy for adults. But what if the best part is hidden inside?!

rubber-band-ball-creative-money-giftImagine the surprise on someone’s face when they’re told that the rubber band ball they received contains money!

Will they undo all off the rubber bands right away or wait until they’ve had a chance to play with it?

They only way to find out is to give the Rubber Ball Band Money Gift to someone you know!

HOW TO MAKE A RUBBER BAND BALL MONEY GIFT

Items you will need:

  • cash
  • colorful rubber bands
  • golf ball or aluminum foil

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Scented Candles Containing Hidden Jewelry

For my sister-in-law Nancy’s 55th birthday, I wanted to surprise her with a gift that would give her a thrill. Jewelry is always fun to receive, but how about one hidden in a candle that you have to burn to find?

candle-hidden-jewelry-thoughtful-gift-ideaI remember as a kid the excitement of finding the prize inside a Cracker Jack box!

During the 1950s & 60s “real” prizes were hidden inside Cracker Jacks instead of paper stickers. I discovered a jeweled ring as one of my hidden treasures and pretended it was my wedding ring!

I remember my kids dumping entire cereal boxes on the kitchen table in order to find the prizes inside. There’s just something exhilarating about finding hidden treasures. Continue Reading

Frame the Perfect Quote for the Occasion

When someone else’s words say it all or say it better than you ever could, you’ve found the perfect quote to use for this gift idea.

frame-perfect-quote-occasion-thoughtful-gift

This powerful quote says so much about my mentor and her accomplishment.

When my mentor, Valerie, achieved a major milestone in her business by officially franchising it, I wanted to give her a thoughtful gift to say, “Congratulations!

I was so impressed by her vision and her tenacity to see her vision through until it became reality. And she did it despite the naysayers. She inspires me with her actions.

I didn’t know quite what to give her as a gift until I came across this quote, “She believed she could, so she did.”

It summarized her accomplishment so well – the perfect quote!

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Money Puzzles Make Opening Cash Gifts Fun

Give a gift they’ll have to play to win!

money-puzzle-creative-cash-gift-funMoney Puzzles are like a toy or game with a cash prize inside.

Kids and adults alike will love the novelty and challenge of receiving a money puzzle. Only by solving the puzzle or brain teaser can they access the cash. It’s fun to make them work at least a little bit for it!

Besides cash, money puzzles can be used to give checks and gift cards. They’re much more fun than opening an envelope or gift card holder.

Many money puzzles consist of a clear plastic container that allows gift recipients to see the money or gift card they’ve been given. It’s impossible to open the container until a small silver ball is successfully completed through a maze.

That’s what makes this gift idea so fun and different! The gift recipient must complete a challenge before earning their “prize.” Sometimes, the whole family gets involved and takes turns taking a crack at it.

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“I’ve Walked in Your Shoes” Condolence Gift

- - Condolence

I’m at the age now where my friends’ parents are passing away.

i've-walked-in-your-shoes-condolence-thoughtful-gift-ideaI can’t believe it’s been three years already that my mother passed away. We spoke every day and spent a lot of time together, especially during celebrations like family birthdays and holidays.

There is not a single day that goes by that I don’t think of her. I miss her.

It’s one of the hardest things to do in life, to go about your normal routine after you lose a parent. You want to share a thought or an upcoming event only to realize you cannot pick up the phone to call your mother or father.

I’m thankful to my friends and family who helped me through my grief after my mother died.

When a dear friend’s mother passed away, I wanted her to know it IS true that time is a great healer. I’ve realized that all I have to do is think of a precious memory to know my mother is never far away.

When you have walked in someone’s shoes, it’s sometimes easier to find the right comforting words to share.

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Money Chain | Same as Cash

Almost everyone likes to receive money as a gift. It comes in the right color and size every time. How to give money in a unique way is the challenge.

https://www.sunburstgifts.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/money-chain-thoughtful-gift-idea.jpgI’ve used the Money Chain idea several times and it never fails to be entertaining. One, the visual is cool – it’s a chain. Two, it’s fun to count each link. Three, it’s an interactive gift.

Everyone who receives it can’t wait to take the chain apart and stack all the money in one hand.

I like to use dollar bills to make a very long chain. Within the chain, you can insert $5, $10 or any denomination. The amount you give is up to you.

I’ve used 50 one dollar bills chained together for a 50th wedding anniversary gift and wrote in the card “still chained together!” Continue Reading

Address Stamps Make Great Housewarming & Wedding Gifts

Buying or moving into a new home is always a big deal in a person’s life, whether it’s their first home right after getting married or their 10th home after moving around a bit.

custom-address-stamp-housewarming-wedding-thoughtful-giftIf you know they’ll be in their new home for a while, address stamps make a great housewarming gift or wedding gift. It’s a fun way to celebrate someone’s new permanent address.

SO MANY DESIGNS!

You can personalize the design to fit the gift recipient’s style and interests. Deciding what design to choose is the hard part! Address stamps can be ordered in many different colors and in the shape of rectangles, squares and circles. And of course there are a million fonts available, from block letters to cursive.

You can also add monograms or symbols to address stamps. For animal lovers, you might add a cat, dog or paw print. For newlyweds, you might add a heart.

RUBBER VS SELF-INKING VS PRE-INKED STAMPS

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Money Tie – Creative Gift for Him

Normally, I would say to stay away from giving neck ties as gifts. Nine times out of 10, it shows lack of effort and creativity on your part. Unless… it’s a money tie!

creative-money-tie-cash-giftA money tie makes a memorable and creative gift for him on birthdays, graduation, Christmas and Father’s Day. You can give it by itself or pair it with a button down shirt.

Don’t worry. They’re easy peasy to make. If you can fold and tape, you can make a DIY money tie gift in just minutes!

HOW TO MAKE A MONEY TIE

Items you will need:

  • cash (new bills looks the best; iron older bills to make them crisp)
  • printed tie template (download letter size or download legal size; print on cardstock)
  • tape

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Hallmark itty bittys® | Friends for Little Ones

Little ones attending day care, Mother’s Day Out or preschool are usually not excited about going unless… they can bring some friends.

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Money Tootsie Rolls Suprise!

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Gifts containing a hidden surprise are some of my favorite gifts. If the person loves candy, Tootsie Rolls are a creative way to surprise someone with money.

money-tootsie-rolls-thoughtful-gift-ideaIt’s incredibly easy to roll up cash to look like Tootsie Rolls.

First, unwrap a Tootsie Roll and eat it. You won’t be needing it. Save the wrapper though!

Fold a dollar bill into thirds, then fold into half, in half again, in half again, and in half again for a total of five folds.

Wrap the folded bill with the Tootsie Roll wrapper you saved. Twist the ends to make it look like there is a real Tootsie Roll candy inside. No glue. No tape. It’s that easy peasy!

Repeat as many times as necessary to create more Money Tootsie Rolls.

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