How to Make a Money Lei: 2 Easy Methods for Graduation

1. 1

   Step 1: Gather Materials for Method 1 - the Dollar Store Lei

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   For the dollar store method you need three things: a plastic flower lei from a dollar store, a stack of crisp one-dollar bills, and a tape dispenser. Count the plastic separators between the flowers on your lei first. The lei in this video has 34 separators so it needs $34. Smaller leis exist - if yours has 24 separators, grab 24 bills instead. Hit an ATM the day before if you do not already have singles on hand. Crisp bills fold cleaner and the finished fan holds its shape longer.

   Tip:

   Most dollar stores carry flower leis in the party aisle near the luau supplies year-round, not just before graduation. Walmart and Party City stock them too if your local dollar store sells out in May.

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   Used in this stepHawaiian flower lei packScotch tape dispenser desktopsmall parts organizer tray

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2. 2

   Step 2: Fold a Dollar Bill in Half, Three Times

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   Take one bill and fold it in half lengthwise, lining up the long edges. Press the crease with your fingernail until it lays flat. Fold in half again the same direction. Then fold in half one more time. Three folds total. The bill is now a thin strip about an inch wide. Sharp creases matter here - they are what give the finished bill its fanned shape later. Open the bill back up. Across George Washington you will see a row of parallel creases ready for the next step.

   Tip:

   If your bills are limp or wrinkled, press them flat under a heavy book for a few hours before folding. Crisp paper holds creases better than tired paper.

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   Used in this stepbone folder for paper craftscrisp single dollar bills bank wrap

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3. 3

   Step 3: Accordion-Fold the Bill and Tape the Center

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   Open the creased bill flat. Now fold along the existing creases in an accordion pattern: ridge up, ridge down, ridge up, ridge down. Push each crease in the opposite direction from the one next to it. When you are done you have a tight pleated strip that looks like a tiny green fan when squeezed in the middle. Pinch the center to gather the pleats and wrap a small piece of cellophane tape around it to lock the shape. The bill now stays in a bowtie or fan shape on its own. Repeat for all 34 bills.

   Tip:

   Set up an assembly line. Fold all 34 bills first, then accordion-fold all 34, then tape all 34. Batching is faster than completing one bill at a time.

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   Used in this stepScotch Magic tape multipackScotch double-sided tape

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4. 4

   Step 4: Tape Each Folded Bill Onto a Lei Separator

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   Pick up the flower lei and find the first plastic separator - the little plastic ring between two flowers that holds them in place on the cord. Take a fan-folded bill, slip the center behind the separator, and bring the two folded ends around to meet in front. Tape the two ends together so the bill wraps around the separator like a green bow. Done. Move to the next separator and repeat. The bill sits like a fanned green flower nestled next to each plastic flower. Work your way all the way around the lei.

   Tip:

   If your tape keeps sticking to your fingers, switch to a tape dispenser with a built-in cutter. The serrated edge gives you small pieces fast.

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   Used in this stepheavy duty tape dispenser desktopwedding ribbon spool for accents

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5. 5

   Step 5: Admire the Finished Dollar Store Money Lei

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   That is Method 1 done. The fanned bills tuck between the purple flowers and the whole lei looks like a fresh tropical bouquet of cash. Total spend: $34 in bills plus whatever the lei cost at the dollar store (usually $1 to $3). Total time: about 20 minutes once you have a folding rhythm. This is the method to use if graduation is tomorrow morning and you forgot. You can make three of these in an hour if you have multiple graduates in the family.

   Tip:

   Store the finished lei in a gift bag with tissue paper so the fans do not get crushed in transit. A flat clothing box also works.

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   Used in this stepgraduation gift bag with tissue paperwhite tissue paper bulk

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6. 6

   Step 6: Cut Construction Paper Strips for Method 2

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   For the paper lei method, start by cutting construction paper into rectangles the same size as a dollar bill - 6 inches long by 2.5 inches wide. Use a ruler and pencil to mark the cuts, then run scissors or a paper cutter along the lines. Pick two colors that match the graduate's school. Purple and yellow like this video work for LSU or East Carolina. Black and gold for Vanderbilt. Maize and blue for Michigan. Cut at least 24 paper rectangles per lei - 12 of each color if you are alternating. Have the same number of one-dollar bills ready.

   Tip:

   If you do not own a paper cutter, fold the construction paper sheet in thirds lengthwise then in half - you will get six rectangles roughly the right size with two cuts. Trim to dollar bill size afterward.

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   Used in this stepconstruction paper assorted colors packFiskars 12-inch paper trimmerschool colors construction paper

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7. 7

   Step 7: Fan-Fold the Paper Rectangles

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   Fold each paper rectangle exactly like the dollar bills earlier: in half, in half, in half. Then open it back up and accordion-fold along the creases - ridge up, ridge down, all the way across. Do not tape the center this time. The paper stays in a loose fan because in the next step you will gather and secure it with string, not tape. Repeat for every paper rectangle and every dollar bill. You will end up with a pile of loose paper fans alternating with loose bill fans.

   Tip:

   Stiff construction paper holds the accordion shape better than thin printer paper. If you only have copy paper on hand, fold the creases twice to set them deeper.

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   Used in this stepCrayola construction paper 240 sheetsheavyweight cardstock 65lb

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8. 8

   Step 8: Cut and Knot a Length of String

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   Measure out 8 feet of cotton string, jute twine, or thin satin ribbon. Cut it. Fold the whole piece in half so you have two parallel strands running side by side. Pinch them about 2 to 3 inches from the folded end and tie an overhand knot. That leaves a small loop at the top you can use to hang the lei or tie off later, and the doubled string below becomes the spine that holds the bills and paper fans together. Pick string strong enough to support 24 bills without snapping at the knots.

   Tip:

   Cotton butcher's twine works well because it grips knots tightly. Slippery ribbon like polyester satin tends to loosen unless you double-knot every connection.

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   Used in this stepcotton butchers twine spooljute craft twine rollsatin ribbon spool 1/4 inch

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9. 9

   Step 9: Thread a Bill onto the String and Tape It Closed

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   Slide a fan-folded dollar bill between the two strands of string, lining its center up with the knot you just tied. Fold the two outer ends of the bill toward the front so they meet in the middle, gathering the fan into a tight rosette. Tape the two ends together where they meet. Now bring both strands of string up over the top of the rosette and tie another knot right against the bill. That knot locks the bill in place so it cannot slide around when the graduate wears the lei.

   Tip:

   If your tape will not stick to the bill, blot the bill with a dry cloth first. Hand oils and lotion residue keep tape from gripping paper.

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   Used in this stepScotch double-sided tapeScotch precision tip tape applicator

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10. 10

    Step 10: Alternate Paper Fans and Bills All the Way Around

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    Add a paper fan the same way you added the bill: slide it between the strings against the last knot, fold the edges in to gather a rosette, tape, then tie a knot above it. Alternate colors as you go - bill, purple paper, bill, yellow paper, bill, purple - so the finished lei has a striped look in school colors. If you want extra sparkle, slide a decorative bead onto the string between every few fans and knot it in. Keep going until you have used all your bills and paper fans, then tie the two free ends together at the back to close the loop.

    Tip:

    Lay out your fans in the planned color sequence before threading. It is faster to grab the next color from a planned line than to fish through a pile mid-build.

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    Used in this stepwooden craft beads assortedmetallic seed beads packgraduation themed pony beads

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11. 11

    Step 11: Finished Paper Money Lei in School Colors

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    Method 2 done. The paper fans bulk up the lei so 24 bills look like a much bigger gift than the cash alone, and the school-color paper personalizes it in a way the dollar store version cannot match. Tie the free string ends into a small bow at the back of the neck and the lei is ready to wear. Both methods are valid graduation gifts - the dollar store version is faster to make, the paper version costs less per dollar of visible gift and matches school spirit. Pick whichever fits the graduate, the school, and your weekend.

    Tip:

    Snap a photo of the lei on a hanger or doorknob before gifting it. Once it is around the graduate's neck during the ceremony, you will not have a clean shot of the craft itself.

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    Used in this stepgraduation gift box with ribbongraduation themed gift card holder

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