topic Re: Gift Question in Community Chat

Gift Question

CelticCrafter — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 13:52:53 GMT

If someone gave you a money tree, think topiary, filled with $1 bills, would you pick them off and use them leaving a bare, naked styrofoam ball?

Part of me wants to use real money but then I'm thinking maybe I should use play money and put the real stuff in the card.

Re: Gift Question

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 13:58:45 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
If someone gave you a money tree, think topiary, filled with $1 bills, would you pick them off and use them leaving a bare, naked styrofoam ball?

Part of me wants to use real money but then I'm thinking maybe I should use play money and put the real stuff in the card.

I guess I'm not understanding. I wouldn't give someone that.

If I wanted to do a money tree, I would put the money on a topiary that was already a tree so when the money was picked off, the receiver still had a nice tree.

Why give them a money tree with money they can't use because it's going to leave them with just a styrofoam ball that they'll end up tossing? Are you not expecting them to use the money? If someone gave me a money tree, yes I'd use the money and if I was left with styrofoam, I'd toss it.

I'm going to admit I've not had my coffee yet so I'm just lost right now.

Re: Gift Question

dsw503 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:10:02 GMT

I like your idea of using "play" money and putting the real money in a card. That gives the person time to enjoy the tree and appreciate your efforts to make it.

Re: Gift Question

Shaunac — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:12:17 GMT

I think the whole idea of having a money tree is that it is made out of money. And when the receiver uses the money and they are left with styrofoam balls, so what?

It would be a whole different feel to the gift if you gave a tree with an envelope full of money.

If I was the receiver and used the money, I would not then think: now all I have is a styrofoam ball and now what do I do with it?

I would leave them on the tree for as long as I didn't need the money and then use them, if needed.

You're thinking too hard. The thought of a fun money tree is fun and different. Think of it this way: you give an envelope full of money, the receiver uses it and then what? Nothing. They bought something they wanted and that's that. Same thing with the styrofoam balls. They used the money and now they toss the styrofoam.

A co-worker does the same thing, but makes a necklace out of the money. Very cute idea, both hers and yours.

Re: Gift Question

beckyb1012 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:33:17 GMT

Way back in the mid 70's when owing your own Oil Company here in Texas was much more profitable one of my friend's mother got a money tree from her father for the woman's 40th birthday. Mr. H. had put 40 $100.00 bills on the tree just like a Christmas Tree. When my friend was telling us before class the next morning our mouths just hung open. I was in the 8th grade and never forgot this woman's 40th birthday. The oil company and family is still going strong in our town.

Re: Gift Question

TaylorBrown — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:41:46 GMT

The whole idea of someone giving money is for it to be spent no matter how it is presented.

Re: Gift Question

ValuSkr — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:45:56 GMT

@beckyb1012 wrote:
Way back in the mid 70's when owing your own Oil Company here in Texas was much more profitable one of my friend's mother got a money tree from her father for the woman's 40th birthday. Mr. H. had put 40 $100.00 bills on the tree just like a Christmas Tree. When my friend was telling us before class the next morning our mouths just hung open. I was in the 8th grade and never forgot this woman's 40th birthday. The oil company and family is still going strong in our town.

How nice to have a friend whose family owns an oil company!

Re: Gift Question

CareBears — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:47:36 GMT

A long time ago, I gave my sister a money tree, if I remember right I had bought a cheap version through Harriet Carter (is that even around anymore) and I had placed $50,00 of different denominations of bills all over the tree, and wrote in her card "Stop waiting for your ship to come in, plant this money tree and watch it grow", (or something silly like that), she plucked off that money so fast I do not even think it was fully unwrapped.

It was a cute idea though, or I thought so anyway?

Re: Gift Question

millieshops — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:47:50 GMT

I think the money is the whole point of the gift. I'd definitely remove it.

I'd "gift" the styrofoam to a crafter friend if I thought it could be used again.

Re: Gift Question

beckyb1012 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:51:20 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
@beckyb1012 wrote:
Way back in the mid 70's when owing your own Oil Company here in Texas was much more profitable one of my friend's mother got a money tree from her father for the woman's 40th birthday. Mr. H. had put 40 $100.00 bills on the tree just like a Christmas Tree. When my friend was telling us before class the next morning our mouths just hung open. I was in the 8th grade and never forgot this woman's 40th birthday. The oil company and family is still going strong in our town.
How nice to have a friend whose family owns an oil company!

@ValuSkr Yes, but what is better is being the only "non family member" working for a family that owns 4 of them in our office. 20 years here with them and counting until my retirement. Also went to high school with them too so lots of history and being a family of faith is the true blessing.

Re: Gift Question

viva923 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:53:43 GMT

this is my own opinion.

I would use play money and put real stuff in card/envelope.

Re: Gift Question

SilleeMee — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:54:37 GMT

Make it fun and mix the real money with the fake money!

Re: Gift Question

missy1 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:06:48 GMT

I wouldn't even do a money tree. Put the money in the card,

Re: Gift Question

Mz iMac — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:43:13 GMT

@CareBears wrote:
A long time ago, I gave my sister a money tree, if I remember right I had bought a cheap version through Harriet Carter (is that even around anymore) and I had placed $50,00 of different denominations of bills all over the tree, and wrote in her card "Stop waiting for your ship to come in, plant this money tree and watch it grow", (or something silly like that), she plucked off that money so fast I do not even think it was fully unwrapped.

It was a cute idea though, or I thought so anyway?

In my mailbox yesterday...

My go to catalog for gadets.

Re: Gift Question

sunshine45 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 15:49:12 GMT

how about a metal money tree that can be used afterwards for photos?

Re: Gift Question

beckyb1012 — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:07:06 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@CareBears wrote:
A long time ago, I gave my sister a money tree, if I remember right I had bought a cheap version through Harriet Carter (is that even around anymore) and I had placed $50,00 of different denominations of bills all over the tree, and wrote in her card "Stop waiting for your ship to come in, plant this money tree and watch it grow", (or something silly like that), she plucked off that money so fast I do not even think it was fully unwrapped.

It was a cute idea though, or I thought so anyway?
In my mailbox yesterday...
My go to catalog for gadets.

About three years ago I went looking for H. Carter online to see if still in business, I wanted one of those screens above you are showing. Sure enough they have a catalog online. I found the screen at one of my local Walmarts so bought it there. I could not believe I remembered this company when I began my search. https://www.harrietcarter.com/

Remember Lillian Vernon?

Re: Gift Question

VanSleepy — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 17:14:21 GMT

I would not put play money on the tree. What's the recipient supposed to do with that?

Re: Gift Question

Carmie — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 00:24:31 GMT

I'd make the money tree and not use fake money. The one below would not look bald without the money.

Re: Gift Question

CareBears — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 00:54:55 GMT

@beckyb1012 I do remember Lillian Vernon, I used to shop through their catalog quite often!

I stopped getting catalog's years ago, but just yesterday I received a catalog from Duluth Trading, the first catalog I have received in I do not even remember how long!

I personally would rather not get catalogs and do my shopping on line, companies spend so much money on the printing & the mailing and most of it ends up in our recycable bins or worse our land fills.

Re: Gift Question

Bri36 — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 01:11:09 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I'd make the money tree and not use fake money. The one below would not look bald without the money.

That's cute