Graduation season is a time of celebration, marking a significant milestone in a graduate’s life. Finding the right gift to express your pride and support can sometimes be a challenge. While traditional gifts are always appreciated, consider a present that is both fun and practical: a Money Lei. More visually appealing and personal than a simple card or check, a DIY money lei is a fantastic way to gift cash in a memorable and festive way. This guide will show you how to create a stunning money lei that any graduate will be thrilled to receive. This version is also budget-friendly, allowing you to create a generous-looking gift without breaking the bank.
Although it requires a bit of crafting time, making a money lei is surprisingly easy. The final result is a beautiful and impressive gift that shows you put in extra thought and effort.
Here’s how to make your own money lei:
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:
- 30-35 Crisp $1 Bills (or a combination of denominations for a larger gift)
- Colored Paper (matching school colors or celebratory colors adds a personal touch)
- Elmer’s Glue Spots or Hot Glue Gun & glue sticks
- Ribbon (choose a ribbon that complements your paper and bills)
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CRAFTING YOUR MONEY LEI:
1. Gather Your Bills:
Start by counting out 30-35 crisp dollar bills. For a fuller lei or a larger cash gift, you can use more bills or incorporate higher denominations. Ensure your bills are as crisp as possible for easier folding and a neater finished product.
Stack of crisp dollar bills being gathered for a DIY money lei project.
2. Prepare Your Paper and Bills:
Cut colored paper into rectangles approximately the same size as a dollar bill. You’ll need about 30-35 paper rectangles. Using paper in addition to bills allows you to create a longer, more visually impressive lei while using fewer dollar bills, making it a cost-effective option.
3. Create Accordion Folds:
Fold each dollar bill and paper rectangle into an accordion. Begin by making small, even folds back and forth, similar to creating a paper fan. Aim for consistent folds to ensure a uniform look. For the dollar bills, a helpful tip is to start folding near the number “1” in the top left corner of the President’s side to achieve even folds. Once accordion folded, fold each piece in half to create a center crease.
Hands demonstrating how to accordion fold a dollar bill for a money lei.
4. Secure the Folds:
Apply glue spots or a small dot of hot glue to the inside of the folded paper and bill to secure the accordion folds. Ensure you don’t place glue too close to the center crease, as this is where the ribbon will pass through. Glue spots are ideal as they provide a strong hold yet are removable, preserving the bills. Hot glue offers a quicker alternative for the paper pieces.
5. Assemble the Lei:
String the ribbon through the center crease of each folded bill and paper piece, alternating between a dollar bill and a paper piece. Continue this pattern until you have strung all your folded pieces onto the ribbon. Once you have reached your desired length, tie the ends of the ribbon securely to complete the lei.
Money lei being assembled by stringing folded dollar bills and paper onto a ribbon.
6. Finishing Touches and Variations:
Get creative with your money lei! You can add extra flair by incorporating other lightweight decorative items between the bills and paper, such as candies in school colors or small graduation-themed trinkets. Consider using different colored ribbons or adding bows to the ends for a more festive look.
Completed money lei displayed as a graduation gift, showing alternating dollar bills and paper.
Why a Money Lei is a Great Gift:
- Unique and Personal: Handmade money leis show thoughtfulness and effort, making them more personal than generic gifts.
- Practical: Graduates can use the cash for whatever they need, whether it’s for college expenses, new apartments, or starting their adult life.
- Festive and Fun: Money leis are visually appealing and celebratory, perfect for graduation ceremonies and parties.
- Budget-Friendly: Using paper inserts allows you to create a substantial-looking gift while managing the cash amount.
- Memorable Keepsake: Beyond the cash, the lei itself becomes a memorable keepsake of their graduation day.
Creating a DIY money lei is a rewarding way to celebrate a graduate. It’s a gift that combines practicality with a personal touch, making it a cherished and appreciated gesture. So, gather your supplies and get crafting to create a memorable money lei for your special graduate!
