Community Chat

[CelticCrafter]

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.

[Lipstickdiva]

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@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.

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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.     

[dsw503]

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. 

[Shaunac]

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. 

[beckyb1012]

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.

[TaylorBrown]

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

[ValuSkr]

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@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.

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

[CareBears]

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?

[millieshops]

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.

[beckyb1012]

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@ValuSkr wrote:

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@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.

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

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@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.