10 Creative Ways to Give a Gift Card, Cash or Experience This Christmas
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Haus of Wrap may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Gift cards are one of the most popular presents of the season. The National Retail Federation found that 43% of holiday shoppers planned to buy at least one gift card last year, making them the second-most popular holiday gift. Experiences, from concert tickets to weekends away, are rising fast too. If you still need to buy the card itself, GiftCards.com has cards for hundreds of shops, restaurants and experiences, including instant digital cards for last-minute gifting.
The only trouble? A gift card or a pair of tickets can feel a little flat on Christmas morning. It's over in a second and there's nothing to unwrap. These ten creative ways to give a gift card, cash or an experience turn a small envelope into a real moment.
Luxury Gift Card Box
The Tiny Luxury Box
Slip the card into a small jewellery gift box and wrap it as carefully as you would a ring. The size alone builds excitement, and the reveal feels far more special than an envelope.
Wrap it in Little Blue Box. A small box in that shade of blue with a white satin ribbon says "something precious inside" before it's even opened.
Box in a Box Gift
The Box Within a Box
Wrap the card in a small box, then place it inside a medium box, then a large one, each wrapped in a different paper. The layers turn a thin card into the most exciting gift under the tree, and it's especially fun for teenagers.
Gift Card Pairings
Pair It With a Small Matching Gift
The easiest way to make a gift card personal is to give it with something that hints at what it's for. A coffee shop card with a beautiful ceramic mug, a bookshop card with a bookmark, or a restaurant voucher with a linen napkin set. The small gift carries the story; the card does the rest.
Hidden Book Gift
Hide It in a Book
Tuck a gift card or cash between the pages of a book they'll love, with a note marking the spot. They'll find it as they flip through, and they get a second gift at the same time.
Christmas Cracker Money Gift
Roll Cash Into a Christmas Cracker
Make your own crackers with a DIY Christmas cracker kit, and roll a banknote or gift card inside each one instead of the usual plastic toy. Everyone pulls at once, and the table erupts.
Money Pull Box
The Money Pull Box
A money pull box holds a long ribbon of banknotes, each folded and joined, that pulls out of a slot in the top. It's been all over social media, and it's pure theatre for any age.
Fillable Christmas Ornament
A Fillable Ornament for the Tree
Roll a gift card or notes and slide them into a clear fillable Christmas ornament with a little tinsel. Hang it on the tree with their name on the tag, and it becomes a keepsake they'll use again next year.
Gift Card Scavenger Hunt
A Scavenger Hunt to Find It
Hide the card somewhere in the house and leave a trail of small wrapped clues. It's perfect for Christmas afternoon when everyone is relaxed. If you love a countdown, our wrapped advent calendar guide works for gift cards too: hide a clue in each parcel.
Experience Gift Reveal
The Experience Reveal
For tickets or a trip, wrap a box of props that hint at the experience: a guidebook and passport cover for a weekend away, a programme and opera glasses for the theatre, or a wooden spoon and apron for a cooking class. Put the tickets in the bottom.
Wrap it in Santa Takes Manhattan if the trip is to New York. Matching the paper to the destination is half the fun.
Money Tree Gift
The Folded Money Tree
Fold crisp banknotes into fans or tiny bows and clip them onto the branches of a small tabletop Christmas tree. It's a charming centrepiece that doubles as the gift.
How to Make a Gift Card Feel Personal
- Write a real note. Say why you chose that shop or experience, and what you hope they'll do with it.
- Choose paper with personality. The wrapping is the only part they can see, so let it reflect them.
- Add a date. For experiences, write "Saturday 14 March, dinner is booked" in the card so it feels like a plan.
- Use real ribbon. A wide velvet or silk ribbon makes a small box look luxurious.
Looking for more ideas for the people on your list? See our guide to gifts for the person who has everything and our Christmas gift wrapping ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you creatively give a gift card?+
Wrap it in a tiny jewellery box, hide it in a book, put it inside a box within a box, roll it into a Christmas cracker or pair it with a small matching gift.
Is it rude to give a gift card for Christmas?+
Not at all. Gift cards are one of the most popular gifts of the season. A thoughtful note and beautiful wrapping make them feel personal.
How do you wrap concert tickets or an experience gift?+
Put the tickets in a box with a few props that hint at the experience, such as a programme or guidebook, and wrap the box beautifully.
How do you give cash as a gift in a fun way?+
Try a money pull box, a fillable ornament, a money tree or cash rolled into homemade Christmas crackers.
Like fashion for your gifts.
