A vibrant Money Lei crafted with folded dollar bills and vivid paper flowers in pink, purple, orange, yellow, and green adorns the scene. Bold, playful letters spell out How to Make a Money Lei, inviting you into a world of creativity and color.

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Looking for a fun and creative graduation gift idea? This easy DIY money lei is the perfect way to give cash while making it feel personal and festive. Learn how to make a graduation money lei step by step using dollar bills, ribbon, and simple supplies.

Graduation time is upon us, and if you are anything like me, you are struggling with a graduation gift that your high school will want and use. We have a great printable graduation card, but in terms of gifts, we are always racking our brains.

Money, of course! We're sharing a quick and simple way to create a money lei that will give the gift of money but be presented in a fun and HAPPY way.

How to make a money lei | Graduation Money Lei | Graduation Money Necklace How To | Graduation Gifts | www.madewithhappy.com

Supplies Needed For a Graduation Money Lei

Dollar bills - This one, I created with 40 - $1 bills, but you can range from $20 and up.
Ribbon
Tape (single or double-sided tape)
Colored Paper (optional)
Beads (optional)

How To Make a Money Necklace

Start out with your bill.

Fold the bill into an accordion shape, starting on the short side of the bill, folding approximately a centimeter at a time.

Fold your accordion in half.

Using a tiny piece of tape, tape the ends together at the fold.

Open the other side of the folded bill and tape the two end bands around the center with ribbon inside the fold.

Once you have them all folded and taped, you can string them onto your ribbon.

In terms of the length of the lei and the length of the ribbon. It can certainly vary. I like to start with a ribbon approximately four feet long. That gives you the ability to add other items to your lei and still have room to tie it.

You can certainly add a bow to the lei on the end too.

How to Personalize the Money Lei For Your Graduate

There are so many different ways to personalize the money lei for your graduate.

You can add colored paper folded the same way you folded your bills and add those between bills.
The colors can be based on the school colors.
Adding beads and bows in between the bills can also add some fillers and make it more personalized.

We went with just the money for our lei, and our graduate was super appreciative.
HAPPY MAKING!

Don't miss our How to Draw a Graduation Cap Tutorial

We highlighted this Graduation Craft and some other fun kid's crafts in our June Crafts and our 101+ Kids Crafts.

Other Graduation Lei You Might Enjoy

Some other gift ideas:

How To Make a Money Lei

Giving the gift of a money lei is all your graduate ever wanted! We are sharing how to make money leis for graduation. The easiest money lei DIY.

Keyword how to make a money lei, money lei

Cook Time 30

Total Time 30

Servings Money Lei

Author Alli Ward

Equipment

Scissors

Ingredients

Dollar Bills
Construction Paper
Ribbon

Instructions

Start out with your bill.
Fold the bill into an accordion shape starting on the short side of the bill, folding approximately a centimetre at a time.
Fold your accordion in half.
Using a tiny piece of tape, tape the ends together at the fold.
Open the other side of the folded bill and tape the two end bands around the center with ribbon inside the fold.
Once you have them all folded and taped, you can string them onto your ribbon.
In terms of the length of the lei and the length of the ribbon. It can certainly vary. I like to start with a ribbon approximately four feet long. That gives you the ability to add other items to your lei and still have room to tie it.