This "Snowman Money Ball" was SUPER popular last Christmas with my adult children! I basically combined two ideas that I had seen on Pinterest: the Saran Wrap Game mixed with a Crepe Paper Money Snowball. As per usual, my kids mainly hoped for money from us, but this is what I did to make it more fun!
Note: Don't think this will only work for Christmas! The concept works especially well in the winter, but the idea could be modified to create a baseball/volleyball in the summer, etc.
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HOW TO MAKE A SNOWMAN MONEY BALL
In my case, this wasn't a game, it was an actual gift. This means that I made three snowman heads with the same amount of money in each one. So first off, determine how much money you want to gift. I tend to use smaller bills, so there is more actual cash inside.
I ended up using Glad Cling Wrap and it worked well. I used less than two boxes to make my three Snowman heads. To keep it simple with my Glad Wrap, I basically pulled out and cut a 12 to 18 inch piece each time (i.e., no super long pieces that were wrapped and wrapped).
To begin, I wrapped the first bill around a pencil to make a tube and then I wrapped that in a piece of plastic. I did this again, and then I wrapped the two individually wrapped bills together with another piece of plastic wrap. Keep wrapping pieces of plastic wrap, one going this way and next one going that way trying to build an actual circle shape. Now you are ready to add another bill. From here on out, just keep the bills flat and cover them with the plastic wrap. (The plastic wrap doesn't stick to the money, but it will stick to itself.) Keep squeezing and shaping your money ball into a circle, wrapping in different directions just like if you are making a yarn ball. Continue this process until you like the size of your money ball or you run out of money. I ended up making mine about the size of a human head.
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The next step is to wrap your money ball in white crepe paper. You can buy inexpensive crepe paper at Dollar Tree/Party City, etc. I also cut the crepe paper into pieces and wrapped this part in sections. I used Zots (double-stick adhesive dots) to attach the strips (available at Michaels, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby).
I cut a strip of crepe paper about two feet long. Using a Zot, attach one end to the money ball and start wrapping to cover the plastic (again, you will be wrapping this way and that way). Try to keep the crepe paper as flat as you can as you are wrapping. Use another Zot to end this strip. Cut another strip, starting in a different direction, attach another Zot and continue wrapping. Repeat this process until the plastic wrap is completely covered.
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HOW I GIFTED THE SNOWMAN MONEY BALL
For many years, I have wanted a "Santa" sack for my kids. I know, I know, my kids are all grown up, but I didn't have Pinterest and Etsy and all of the fun Internet stuff when they were little. I considered trying to make one myself, BUT THEN there was a Black Friday sale for a sack that I liked. I ordered three and they were all perfect/beautiful! The names are stitched on. These were far better than I could have made myself (and probably ended up being cheaper too)!
I will warn you that this shop stopped taking orders for the Santa sacks shortly after Black Friday, so plan ahead. She is taking orders again now. Note: Wouldn't a Santa Sack make a great baby shower gift?!? I plan to use these every year, so I didn't let the kids take them home with them; however they really liked them and kind of wanted to. The takeaway is that these types of bags aren't only for younger children.
This gift was definitely a winner!
Please let me know if you try it or have any questions. 💗 Karen
