Need creative ways to give money as a gift? Make this fun “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” money gift in under 10 minutes! Free printable sign included. Perfect creative cash gift idea for graduation or birthday gifts.
Let’s be honest – at some point in your gift-giving life, you’ve handed someone a card with cash in it and thought, I really could have done better than this. Maybe you even taped it to a bag of chips to make it feel more festive. No judgment here. We’ve all been there.
But here’s the thing: giving cash doesn’t have to be boring! In fact, some of my favorite gift ideas on the blog are creative ways to wrap up cold, hard cash in a way that’s fun, memorable, and actually looks like you put in some effort. If you haven’t seen my Pizza Box Money Gift or my Money Lei, be sure to check those out too — they’re reader favorites for a reason!
Today I’m sharing another one of my absolute favorite creative cash gift ideas: the “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” Money Gift. You tuck dollar bills behind the glass of a picture frame, add a free printable sign, and – boom – you’ve got a gift that’s clever, practical, and actually really pretty sitting on a shelf. The best part? The whole thing takes less than 10 minutes to put together.
This one is perfect for graduation gifts, birthday gifts, or honestly anyone who deserves a little something special. We even got one of these gifts as a wedding present – though it was uncut bills that had been professionally framed with a plaque that said “In case of emergency, break glass”. The idea is the same.
Why This Money Gift Idea Is So Clever
The concept is simple and the pun is chef’s kiss: money behind picture frame glass + a sign that says “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” = a gift that makes people laugh and then immediately start calculating how much cash is in there.
It’s funny. It’s useful. And when the recipient has spent all the emergency money, they have a perfectly good picture frame left over. That’s what I call a win-win!
Supplies Needed
Here’s everything you’ll need to pull this together:
- An 8×10 picture frame (or use an 11×17 frame with a mat like I did)
- Dollar bills – a variety of denominations works great; mix it up based on your budget!
- White card stock – for printing the sign
- Scissors or a paper trimmer
- The free printable sign (available below – comes in both horizontal and vertical versions!)
- Optional: a small toy hammer – for an extra fun touch to go along with the “break glass” theme!
*DISCLAIMER – Your gift recipient shouldn’t actually break the picture frame glass… they can remove the money by taking off the back of the frame.
How to Make the “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” Money Gift
Step 1: Download and print the free printable sign. The printable comes in two versions — one designed for horizontal frames and one for vertical frames — so you can use whichever orientation you prefer! Print it out on white card stock for the best results.
Step 2: Cut out the sign. Trim along the edges with scissors or a paper trimmer. You want it to fit neatly inside your 8×10 frame.
Step 3: Arrange your dollar bills. Place the cash inside the frame, layering and fanning out the bills so they look full and intentional. A variety of denominations – a few ones, some fives, a ten or a twenty – looks great and makes the gift feel extra generous, even if you’re working with a smaller budget.
Step 4: Add the printable sign on top of the bills. Layer the printed sign right on top of the cash so it sits between the money and the frame glass. The sign frames the whole look and makes it immediately clear what the lucky recipient is looking at! You can also tape the sign directly to the front of the frame glass.
Step 5: Reassemble the frame. Pop the back on the frame and you’re done! Wrap it up with a bow, add a gift tag, and you’ve got a genuinely impressive gift in under 10 minutes.
Tips for Making it Look Extra Amazing
- Use a matted frame. A frame with a mat opening gives the gift such a polished, put-together look. As a bonus, with a matted frame you can fan some of the bills so they peek out from the sides of the mat – it adds a fun layered effect that makes the cash feel abundant even if you’re keeping it simple.
- Mix up your denominations. You don’t have to stuff it full of twenties to make it look impressive! A thoughtful mix of ones, fives, tens, and a larger bill on top looks full and fun. Adjust based on your budget – this gift works at any price point.
- Add a small toy hammer. You can find these at dollar stores or online, and tucking a tiny hammer alongside the frame is such a cute detail. It really drives the “break glass” joke home and adds a little extra something to the presentation.
Who Is This Gift Perfect For?
This money gift idea is a fantastic choice for:
- Graduates – whether it’s high school, college, or anything in between, every grad can use an “emergency fund”!
- Birthday boys and girls – especially teens and young adults who are impossible to shop for
- Anyone who is hard to buy for – because cash is always the right size and color
- Last-minute gifters – 10 minutes, people. TEN. MINUTES.
Get the Free Printable!
Ready to make this fun money gift? Grab the free “In Case of Emergency Break Glass” printable sign below — it comes in both horizontal and vertical versions so you’re all set no matter which way your frame goes!
Download The Printable!
Click below to download your FREE Money Gift Printable!
I’d love to see your finished gifts! Drop a comment below and let me know who you’re making this for — and don’t forget to pin this post so you can find it again the next time a birthday or graduation sneaks up on you!
Looking for more creative cash gift ideas? Don’t miss these other fun money gift ideas:
- Pizza Box Money Gift
- Money Flower Lei
- “Funny Money” Cash Pull Gift – made with an empty tissue box!
- Donut Box Money Gift
