A New Take on the Money Tree: A Money Bouquet!

While I was at work on this day, I spied a lovely bouquet sitting on a colleague's desk, and I went in for a closer look. It turns out that the bouquet is to be a gift for her friends who will be getting married soon. It features what I am sure will be some welcome green: the bouquet is loaded with cash!

I don't know if others do this, but I have seen such gifts (usually called money trees) given at weddings and baby showers. It may take the shape of a tree or other similar object, with bills attached or somehow hidden inside other objects. (I remember bills stuffed inside clear Christmas balls attached to one tree I saw in the past; I think that one was for a baby shower.)

The thrill is that you KNOW you are getting money (yay!) but you don't know how MUCH money until you get it home and take it all off and count it. Clearly the tree is destined to provide funds for some future fun; it is also supposed to bring good luck and happiness.

I didn't realize that the tradition of the money tree was as old as it is. Those excavating the tombs of Chinese emperors have found "trees" of bronze with coins on them. These money trees were "burial objects used to guide the deceased to heaven, and to provide for their financial support while there."

Now, this particular money tree/bouqet is a gift for a wedding, not a funeral. So we'll presume that the happy couple will get to enjoy the funds in this life, not the next. :-) So we send all good wishes to the happy couple, whoever they may be! And hey, don't spend it all in one place!

I never really talk about money here (or anywhere, really), so this is a treat for me; I get to use a song with money in the title!  Here's a favorite: Money, Money, Money, by Abba. I'm also including the version of the song from the film Mamma Mia, featuring Meryl Streep and friends. Enjoy!