In the world of meaningful and creative gift-giving, the art of making a money lei stands out as a unique and cherished local Hawaiian tradition, and an especially popular graduation lei given at graduation ceremonies.
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The Meaning of A Money Lei
These leis, crafted with care and adorned with currency, offer more than just monetary value; they symbolize the investment in the graduate’s future and the pride in their accomplishments. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create your own money lei, a gift that intertwines practicality with the beauty and cultural significance of a traditional Hawaiian lei. Whether for a high school, college, or any educational milestone, a handmade money lei is a memorable and generous way to celebrate this significant achievement.
Gather Lei Materials
Materials Needed:
- Crisp bills (the number depends on how full you want the lei to be)
- Ribbon (preferably 1/2 inch wide)
- Small rubber bands or thread
- Scissors
- Beads or decorative spacers (optional)
Instructions For Making A Money Lei
Prepare Your Bills To Make Money Flowers
Start by folding each bill accordion-style. Do this by making small back-and-forth folds (about 1/2 inch wide) along the length of each bill.
Fold Once
Fold Twice
Third Fold
Spread Out To See Folds
Use The Folds As A Guide To Fold Into An Accordion
Tie In the Center And Fan out The Edges
Secure the Bills
Once each bill is folded, use a small rubber band or thread to tie the center of the folded bill, keeping the accordion folds in place. This should make each bill look like a bowtie or butterfly.
Cut the Ribbon
Measure and cut a length of ribbon for the lei. The length depends on how long you want the lei to be, but a good starting point is about 36 inches.
Attach the Bills to the Ribbon
Tie the center of each folded bill onto the ribbon. Space them evenly, leaving about 1-2 inches between each bill. If you’re using beads or spacers, thread them onto the ribbon between each bill.
Adjust and Decorate
Slide the bills and beads (if used) along the ribbon to adjust their positions as desired. Make sure the bills are facing the same direction for a uniform look.
Tie Off the Lei
Once all the bills are attached and adjusted, tie the ends of the ribbon together to form the lei. Make sure the knot is secure and trim any excess ribbon.
Final Touches
Fluff out the accordion folds of each bill to make them more pronounced and decorative. This also makes the lei look fuller and more festive.
Presentation
Consider placing the lei in a gift box or wrapping it gently in tissue paper for presentation.
Remember, the beauty of a money lei is not just in its appearance but also in the time and effort put into creating this thoughtful and personalized gift.
Popular Graduation Leis
Leis for graduates are a long standing Hawaiian tradition popular even outside of Hawaii. Leis made of natural materials like flowers and leaves are the most traditional and authentic to the Hawaiian culture.
Shop our huge assortment of fresh, authentic graduation leis.
All Graduation Leis
Graduation Leis In Bulk for groups and events
Graduation Leis For Guys
Fresh Orchid Leis for graduation
Premium Leis
Maile Leis for Graduation
Kukui Nut Leis
Ti Leaf Leis
How Many Dollar Bills Are In A Money Lei?
The number of dollar bills needed to make a money lei can vary greatly depending on the design and fullness you desire. Typically, for a standard-length lei, you might use anywhere from 30 to 50 bills. However, this can change based on several factors:
- Length of the Lei: A longer lei will require more bills. Standard leis are usually around 36 inches long, but you can adjust this based on your preference.
- Spacing Between Bills: If you space the bills closer together, you’ll need more bills to fill the lei. Spacing them further apart will require fewer bills.
- Additional Decorations: If you’re using beads or other decorative elements between the bills, you might need fewer bills.
- Budget: The amount you’re willing to spend will also determine the number of bills you use. You can use any denomination of bills, not just dollar bills, to fit your budget.
For a graduation lei, where the lei is often more elaborate, you might lean towards using more bills to make it fuller and more festive. Remember, the lei is not just a gift of money but also a symbol of your effort and creativity.
Leis For The Graduate
Shop all of our Graduation Leis here.
Wondering what a fresh lei costs and how it ships from Hawaii? Our guide to where to buy Hawaiian leis online covers real prices, shipping rates, and how far ahead to order.
Looking for more DIY lei ideas beyond money leis? Susan Santoro’s DIY lei tutorials at Organized 31 cover money leis, ribbon leis and more.
