Ideas for How to Use Leftover Foreign Currency

If you’ve traveled to a different country before, you probably have a little foreign currency laying around. I know for me personally, I have British pounds that are just collecting dust until I can go visit the U.K. While I try to get rid of any extra coins or currency that I have at the airport before heading home, sometimes there’s just not enough space in my bag to buy anything else! If you aren’t sure how to use your leftover foreign currency, read below for five different ideas.

1. Donate it

Do you have a friend or family member who has talked about an upcoming trip? Give them your spare change! They will greatly appreciate having some starter coins for their trip. If you don’t want to just donate it, ask them to bring you a souvenir back with it. Did you have a favorite candy bar or snack that you would love to have again? Do you really wish you would have bought that hat/bracelet/item when you visited but regret not purchasing it? This would be the perfect chance to use your leftover foreign currency.

Donating leftover currency is a thoughtful and impactful way to contribute to charitable causes. Here are several ideas on how to donate unused currency:

1. Airport Collection Points: Many airports have collection points where you can donate foreign currency. These funds are often channeled towards charitable organizations or local community projects.
2. Charity Boxes: Check with local charities or community centers if they have collection boxes for foreign currency donations. Some organizations partner with currency exchange services to facilitate such donations.
3. Educational Programs: Contact schools or educational programs that focus on global studies. They might use foreign currency for educational purposes or exchange it to support their initiatives.
4. Children’s Hospitals: Donate foreign coins or bills to children’s hospitals. Some hospitals have programs that use foreign currency for art projects or fundraising.
5. International Aid Organizations: Larger international aid organizations may accept foreign currency donations. Check with organizations like UNICEF or the Red Cross to see if they have specific programs in place.
6. Veterans’ Organizations: Some veterans’ organizations accept foreign currency donations to support their programs. Contact local veterans’ groups or check with national organizations that may have initiatives in place.
7. Traveler’s Aid Programs: Organizations that assist travelers in distress may accept foreign currency donations to support their services. Look for local or international Traveler’s Aid programs.
8. Online Exchange Platforms: Utilize online platforms that specialize in currency exchange for charitable donations. Some websites allow you to send your leftover currency and choose a charity to support.
9. Foreign Embassies: Contact foreign embassies in your country. Some embassies have programs that collect foreign currency for charitable causes in their home country.
10. Local Businesses: Check with local businesses, especially those involved in international trade, to see if they would be interested in accepting foreign currency donations for charity.

Before donating, ensure that the organization or program is willing to accept foreign currency and inquire about how the funds will be used. Additionally, it’s a good idea to separate coins from bills, as some organizations may prefer one over the other.

2. Show and tell at your kid’s school

Conducting a “Show and Tell” session with foreign currency at a children’s school can be a fun and educational experience. When I was in elementary school, a parent of one of my classmates would come in for show and tell. The parent must have traveled heavily for his job, as he had coins from all around the world. He talked about the origins of each coin and then passed out coins for all of us to keep. Over 20 years later, and I still have those coins to this day! It was a great way to educate kids about currency around the world and was a cool thing to be able to take home.

Here are a few ways that you could discuss foreign currency at school.

1. Introduction: Begin by introducing the concept of foreign currency. Explain that people around the world use different money, and each country has its own unique coins and bills.
2. Engage in Discussions: Hold discussions about the currencies you’re presenting. Encourage children to ask questions and share their thoughts. Discuss the designs, colors, and any notable features on the coins and bills.
3. Geography Lesson: Use a map or globe to show the geographical locations of the countries whose currency you’re showcasing. This helps children connect the currency to real-world places.
4. Cultural Insights: Share cultural insights related to the currency. Talk about the significance of certain symbols, historical events, or famous personalities depicted on the money.

3. Use it for arts and crafts

Using foreign currency in arts and crafts can add a unique and cultural touch to your projects. Here are some creative ideas on how to incorporate foreign currency into art:

1. Collage Art: Create visually stunning collages by arranging and pasting foreign coins and bills onto canvas or sturdy paper. Combine currency from different countries to form interesting patterns or images. This can be a great way to showcase the diversity of currencies and celebrate global cultures.
2. Decoupage Projects: Use foreign bills to decoupage various surfaces, such as wooden boxes, trays, or furniture. Cut out interesting parts of the bills, arrange them creatively, and adhere them with decoupage glue. Seal the entire surface with a clear sealant for a polished finish.
3. Framed Currency Display: Frame foreign currency to make unique wall art. Arrange bills or coins within a shadow box or frame, creating an eye-catching display that showcases the intricate designs and historical figures featured on the currency.
4. Currency Jewelry: Transform foreign coins into wearable art. Drill a small hole through coins and attach them to chains or cords to make necklaces or bracelets. You can also incorporate bills into jewelry designs by encapsulating them in clear resin or using them as pendants.
5. Cultural Postcards: Create postcards with a cultural flair by affixing small pieces of foreign currency onto cardstock. Combine this with images or drawings representing the country of origin. These unique postcards make for interesting and educational gifts.
6. Origami with Bills: Explore origami using foreign bills. Some currencies have vibrant colors and intricate designs that lend themselves well to origami projects. Fold bills into animals, flowers, or geometric shapes for an artistic and cultural twist.
7. Mixed Media Art: Incorporate foreign currency into mixed media projects by combining it with various materials like fabric, paint, and found objects. The contrasting textures and colors can add depth and intrigue to your artwork.
8. Cultural Map Art: Use a map of a country represented by the currency as a background for your art. Paste coins and bills onto the map to highlight their origin and create a cultural and geographical connection.
9. Coin Rubbings: Make coin rubbings by placing foreign coins under paper and gently rubbing over them with colored pencils or crayons. This technique can reveal intricate details from the coins and create interesting patterns.
10. Currency Mosaics: Cut foreign bills into small, uniform pieces and use them to create mosaic patterns on various surfaces. This can be a time-consuming but visually striking way to repurpose currency into art.

Remember to respect the cultural and historical significance of the currency you’re using, and be mindful not to damage rare or valuable pieces. Whether you’re creating jewelry, framed art, or postcards, using foreign currency in arts and crafts offers a unique way to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the world’s monetary systems.

4. scrapbook it

Using foreign currency in scrapbooking can add an exciting and unique element to your pages, creating a visual journey of your travels or showcasing a global theme. Here are some creative ideas on how to incorporate foreign currency into your scrapbooking projects:

1. Travel Theme Pages: Design scrapbook pages specifically dedicated to your travels using foreign currency from the countries you visited. Include bills and coins alongside your photos, tickets, and other memorabilia to capture the essence of each location.
2. Currency Borders: Create borders around your photos or page edges using strips of foreign bills. The colorful and intricate designs can frame your memories, adding an authentic touch to your scrapbook layout.
3. Map and Currency Collage: Combine maps and foreign currency in a collage. Cut out shapes from maps that correspond to the countries represented by the currency and arrange them alongside bills and coins on your scrapbook pages.
4. Coin Pockets: Incorporate small coin pockets on your pages to hold additional mementos or journaling notes. Glue or tape coins onto the page, leaving a small opening at the top to slide in small items like tickets or tags.
5. Cultural Highlights: Create themed pages that highlight the cultural aspects of each country. Use currency to represent notable landmarks, historical figures, or symbols. Include photos and journaling to provide context.
6. Layered Elements: Layer foreign bills or coins under transparent or semi-transparent paper or vellum. This adds depth and texture to your scrapbook pages while allowing the currency to peek through.
7. Country-Specific Pages: Dedicate pages to each country, featuring the currency, a map, and photos from your visit. Include snippets of local phrases, stamps, or other cultural elements to enhance the thematic focus.
8. Stamped Impressions: Use foreign coins as stamps. Apply ink to the raised side of a coin and press it onto your scrapbook pages to create unique stamped impressions. Experiment with different coin sizes for variety.
9. Interactive Flaps: Create interactive flaps or folds on your pages using foreign bills. Attach one side of the bill to the page, allowing the other side to lift, revealing additional photos or journaling underneath.
10. Mixed Media Collage: Combine foreign currency with other mixed media elements, such as paint, washi tape, or ephemera. This eclectic approach can result in visually dynamic and culturally rich scrapbook pages.

Remember to secure your foreign currency onto the pages using archival-safe adhesives to ensure longevity. Additionally, consider adding captions or notes to explain the significance of each currency piece. These creative approaches not only preserve your travel memories but also celebrate the cultural diversity represented by foreign currency in your scrapbooking projects.

Pro tip: I wouldn’t recommend gluing bills as the glue may bleed through. This will help serve as an easy reminder of your trip!

5. Use it for odds and ends

Do you have an ALDI or another grocery store that requires a coin to be able to use a cart? Keep some of your foreign coins in your car for just this reason. I never seem to have change available in my current currency when I need it for carts, so by keeping a few coins in your car you can make sure you’ll never find yourself carrying everything with your hands as you try not to drop anything! Does your child have a toy bubblegum machine that needs a coin to dispense a gum ball? Another great way to use one of the foreign coins. Are you playing golf and need a ball marker? Keep one in your golf bag! Is your table a little uneven and wobbly? Try placing a coin underneath one of the legs of the table to make it more even.

Repurposing foreign currency for odds and ends can be a creative way to give these coins and bills a new lease on life. Here are some ideas on how to use foreign currency for various practical and decorative purposes:

1. Magnetic Currency Clips: Attach small magnets to the back of coins and use them as decorative clips for holding notes, photos, or other lightweight items on your fridge or magnetic board.
2. Bookmarks: Laminate or encase bills in clear plastic sleeves to create unique bookmarks. You can also attach a ribbon or tassel for an added touch.
3. Coasters: Glue foreign coins onto plain coasters or use larger bills as the base for homemade coasters. Seal the surface with a clear waterproof sealant to protect the currency.
4. Keychains: Drill a small hole in coins or bills and attach them to keychains. This can be a personalized and functional way to carry a piece of your travels with you.
5. Drawer Pulls: Replace standard drawer pulls with coins secured with strong adhesive or screws. This can add a touch of uniqueness to furniture.
6. Napkin Rings: Wrap bills around napkins to create distinctive napkin rings for special occasions. Add a ribbon or twine for an extra decorative element.
7. Puzzle Pieces: Use foreign coins to create unique puzzle pieces. Glue or affix them onto a blank puzzle set for a cultural twist on this classic game.
8. Wearable Art: Transform coins into wearable art by attaching them to bracelets, earrings, or pendants. For bills, consider using them as a base for pendant designs or laminating them for durability.
9. Mini Art Canvases: Attach smaller bills or coins to mini canvases to create tiny works of art. Add paint or other embellishments to enhance the visual appeal.
10. Desk Decor: Use coins as weights for holding down papers or as decorative elements on your desk. Place a clear glass or acrylic sheet over bills to create a unique desk mat.
11. Plant Markers: Attach coins to wooden or plastic stakes to create distinctive plant markers for your garden. This is a practical way to identify different plants while adding a touch of flair.
12. Gift Tags: Cut bills into smaller, rectangular pieces and use them as unique gift tags. Write your message on the blank side for a personalized touch.
13. Jewelry Display: Display jewelry or accessories on a corkboard or foam board adorned with foreign bills. Attach the bills securely and arrange your items for an eye-catching display.
14. Coin Magnets: Turn coins into magnets by attaching small, strong magnets to the back. These can be used to hold notes or photos on magnetic surfaces.
15. Wind Chimes: Drill small holes in coins and attach them to a string or wire to create a unique and personalized wind chime.

Before repurposing currency, ensure that it’s not rare, collectible, or legally restricted from being altered. These creative ideas can add a global and artistic touch to your everyday items while allowing you to cherish the memories associated with the currency.

And if none of these ideas are enticing for you and you’re still wondering how you can use your leftover foreign currency, you can always put it in a jar and hope to travel back to that place one day!

I hope this list sparked some new ideas! Please let me know in the comments if this list helped you, and share any other ideas you have with me below.

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