I don’t usually give cash or gift cards, but when I sent a birthday present to my friend Lauren across the country, a little money made sense. I bought her a cardboard moose trophy named Fred that begged for a bright splash of spray paint. Since shipping spray paint is impractical, I tucked a bit of cash into a handmade money holder envelope so she could pick her own color. This quick DIY is great for birthdays, graduations, or any time you want to make a monetary gift feel special.
I love this green — Lauren happened to paint her dining chairs in the same shade, and I painted my table legs to match. Little coincidences like that make handmade gifts feel even more thoughtful.
Supplies:
– Card
– Paper or cardstock
– Envelope template (I used the small template from Mini-eco)
– Double-stick tape
– Sticker for sealing (optional, but recommended)
How to make it:
1. Print and cut the envelope template to the size you want. Trace the template onto your chosen paper or cardstock and cut it out.
2. Fold along the template lines. Secure the side flaps together with double-stick tape, then fold the bottom flap up and tape it in place.
3. Use double-stick tape to adhere the finished envelope onto a card. Insert cash, a gift card, a handwritten note, or any small token. Seal the envelope with a sticker or glue.
This method is fast, inexpensive, and totally customizable. Choose patterned paper, bold colors, or textured cardstock to match the recipient’s style. You can make them tiny for a small gift card or larger to hold folded bills and a note.
All photos by Studio DIY
Want more DIY ideas? Browse project galleries and printable resources for inspiration, and gather supplies to create your own money-holder cards at home.