Money Boxes

What a money box is and how it opens

At its simplest, a money box is a container with a slot: coins go in easily and take a little more effort to get out. That small pause between wanting and spending is the whole idea, and it is often how a child first learns to wait.

How a box opens matters as well. One that empties too easily tempts small hands back in, while one that is fiddly turns counting up into a chore. A stopper or panel in the base that a grown-up can open is a sensible middle ground, so it is worth checking before you choose.

The child's age, the room and the occasion

We would start with the child's age. For a baby or toddler, a money box is a keepsake for the grown-ups to fill, kept on a nursery shelf, and some of ours are intended for that age. Older children enjoy feeding in their own coins and keeping track of the total, and a few of ours are for children from three to twelve.

Then think about where it will sit. A shelf, a chest of drawers or a bookcase works well, somewhere the child sees it often. A smaller box fills quickly, which keeps a young saver keen, while a roomier one suits a child saving towards something bigger. For the look, let the occasion guide you: silver is often the pick for a christening or a birth, and a colour from the walls or bedding for everyday saving.

Silver plate, metal or plastic

Our money boxes come in a mix of materials. Some are plastic, which is light, easy to wipe and a practical choice for a busy bedroom. Some are metal, and some are silver-plated. Silver plate is a thin layer of real silver over a base metal: it has the shine of solid silver and is looked after in much the same way, if a little more gently.

Colours vary too. Some have a silver finish, and a few come in white or blue, colours that sit easily alongside books and photo frames. A silver finish is not always silver plate, so look for the words silver-plated if real silver matters to you.

Gifts to mark a christening or a birth

Some of our money boxes are christening gifts and some are baby gifts, while a few are for marking a birth or for parents who have just welcomed a baby. Unlike clothes, a money box is never outgrown: grandparents and godparents can add coins whenever they visit, so a small sum is waiting by the time the child understands what it is for.

A few are engravable. They come plain, ready for your own engraver to add the child's name and a date; we do not engrave them ourselves. Set it beside a framed photograph from the christening or the first weeks at home, and the pair make a quiet reminder of those early days.

Small habits that make saving stick

A money box works best with a little routine. Choose a regular day for adding coins, agree a goal together, such as a book or a day out, and count the total now and then so the child can see it grow. Some families keep two boxes side by side, one for saving and one for spending.

Keeping silver plate bright and plastic clean

Empty the coins before cleaning. For silver plate, a wipe with a soft, dry cloth after handling keeps fingerprints off, and a silver polishing cloth lifts the tarnish that builds up naturally over time. Avoid abrasive pastes, which can wear through the thin layer of silver, and do not soak it. Keeping it away from damp between polishes slows tarnish down.

Metal pieces need little more than a soft cloth and somewhere dry to sit. Plastic wipes clean with a damp cloth and a drop of mild washing-up liquid; dry it afterwards and keep it out of strong sunlight, which can fade colours.