Money Lei: A Creative Way To Gift Money At Weddings

Money leis are a unique and fun way to gift money to someone you love. They are especially popular as wedding gifts and graduation presents. The tradition of giving leis is rooted in Hawaiian culture, where they are symbols of love, spirituality, appreciation and respect. While traditional Hawaiian leis are made of flowers, modern versions can be made with money, candy, leaves or beads. Making a money lei is a fun project that involves folding bills in an accordion style, taping them together and stringing them onto a ribbon.

Choosing the right colours for your money lei

Wedding Theme Colours

If you are making a money lei for a wedding, consider choosing colours that match the theme of the wedding. This will help to create a cohesive and stylish look for the celebration. You can choose to match the colours of the lei to the wedding colours exactly or opt for complementary shades that will tie in with the theme. If the wedding has a colour palette of soft pinks and creams, for example, you could use these colours for the ribbon and paper flowers in your money lei.

Lighter or Bolder Shades

When it comes to choosing a ribbon for your money lei, you have a range of options. Lighter colours like purple or pink can give your lei a delicate and enticing look. If you want to make a bolder statement, you could opt for darker shades such as black and gold. These richer colours can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your money lei.

Personalisation

If you are making a money lei for a wedding, consider personalising it with the name of the couple. You can attach their names to the ribbon for a special touch. You could also incorporate the wedding date or a congratulatory message. Adding these personal details will make the money lei even more meaningful and memorable.

Paper Flowers and Decorations

In addition to the money, you can add paper flowers or other decorations to your lei. When choosing colours for these extra touches, consider the overall colour scheme you are aiming for. You can opt for a single colour or a variety of colours to create a vibrant and festive look. If the wedding has a specific theme, you could choose colours that complement it. For example, if the wedding has a tropical theme, you could use bright, tropical colours for your paper flowers.

Cultural Significance

If the wedding incorporates any specific cultural traditions, you may want to choose colours that hold symbolic meaning within that culture. For example, if the wedding includes Hawaiian traditions, you could use colours that are significant in Hawaiian culture, such as red, yellow, and green, which are often used in Hawaiian leis to represent love, friendship, and respect.

Remember, when choosing colours for your money lei, it's important to consider the overall theme and style of the wedding, as well as any personal touches you want to add. By selecting the right colours, you can create a beautiful and meaningful gift that the couple will surely cherish.

Folding the money into an accordion shape

Start with one bill. You can use any denomination that fits your budget, but it's recommended to use smaller bills, such as $1 or $5 bills, to create a more intricate pattern.

First, make a 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) fold across one of the short sides of the rectangular bill. Then, turn the bill over and make another 1/2-inch fold in the opposite direction on the same side. Flip the bill back over and make another 1/2-inch fold in the same direction as the first fold.

By following these steps, you have established an accordion-style folding pattern. Continue folding 1/2-inch strips in alternating directions until you've folded the entire bill. Your bill should now resemble an accordion, with a series of back-and-forth folds of equal width.

Once you've achieved the desired accordion shape, it's important to secure the folds. Take a small rubber band and wrap it around the center of the folded bill. This will ensure that the bill maintains its shape and doesn't unfold.

Repeat this process for each bill that you want to include in your money lei. The number of bills you need will depend on the desired length and fullness of your lei. Typically, a standard-length lei uses anywhere from 30 to 50 bills, but you can adjust this based on your preferences and the spacing between each bill.

Creating an accordion fold with the money bills is an essential step in constructing a money lei. This technique not only adds visual appeal but also symbolizes the time and effort invested in creating a thoughtful and personalized gift for the recipient.

Tying the money to the ribbon

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need crisp bills, preferably new and free from creases, in the desired denomination and quantity. You will also require a ribbon, ideally about 1/2 inch wide, in a colour that complements the theme of the wedding. In addition, small rubber bands or thread in a matching or neutral colour will be needed to secure the bills. Beads or decorative spacers are optional but can enhance the overall appearance of the lei.

Now, prepare your bills by folding each one accordion-style. Start by making small, precise back-and-forth folds, approximately 1/2 inch wide, along the length of each bill. This folding technique will create a pleated effect, giving the lei texture and visual appeal. Secure each folded bill in the centre with a small rubber band or thread, ensuring the folds are neatly held in place. The bill should now resemble a bowtie or butterfly shape.

Next, cut a length of ribbon for the lei. The length will depend on the desired length of the finished lei and the neck size of the wearer. A standard lei is typically around 36-48 inches long, but you can adjust this to suit the wearer's height. Allow for a few extra inches at the ends of the ribbon for tying the lei together.

Attaching the bills to the ribbon is the key step in this process. Take each folded bill and tie the centre securely onto the ribbon, spacing them evenly apart. Leave about 1-2 inches between each bill to ensure they are not too crowded. If you are using beads or spacers, thread them onto the ribbon between each bill to add a decorative touch and create a more uniform appearance.

Once all the bills are attached, you can adjust their positions by sliding them along the ribbon. Ensure the bills are facing the same direction for a neat and tidy finish. Fluff out the accordion folds of each bill to make them more pronounced and decorative, adding volume and festivity to the lei.

Finally, tie the ends of the ribbon together to form the lei, ensuring the knot is secure. Trim any excess ribbon for a neat finish. Consider placing the money lei in a gift box or wrapping it gently in tissue paper for presentation to the recipient.

Remember, the beauty of a money lei lies not only in its appearance but also in the time and effort invested in creating this thoughtful and personalised gift for the wedding.

Adding extra decorations like beads or candy

Beads

If you're using beads, you can thread them onto the ribbon between each bill as you tie them onto the lei. This will help to fill out the lei and make it look fuller. You can also use beads made from Kukui nuts, which are traditionally used in Hawaiian leis. Alternatively, you can use other types of beads or decorative spacers to add some extra colour and texture to your lei.

Candy

Candy leis are a popular choice, especially for graduation ceremonies. You can make a candy lei by threading pieces of candy or chocolate onto a long strip of plastic wrap or cellophane, then tying them together with curling ribbon. You can also add money to a candy lei by folding bills into fans or bows and attaching them between the pieces of candy with extra ribbon. Just be careful if you're using chocolate, as it can melt easily!

Other Decorations

In addition to beads and candy, you can also add other decorations like colourful silk flowers, jewellery, or small mementos that are special to the recipient. You can also include inspirational notes or well wishes by writing them on slips of paper and folding them into the lei.

Making sure the lei is the right length for the recipient

When making a money lei, it's important to consider the recipient's height to ensure the lei is the right length for them. A traditional lei is 48 inches long, but you may want to adjust this depending on the recipient's stature. For a child, for example, you would make the lei shorter.

The length of the lei will also depend on how full you want it to look. A standard-length lei typically uses 30 to 50 bills, but you can add more bills for a fuller, more festive look, or use fewer bills for a more spaced-out appearance. If you plan to include additional decorations, such as beads or spacers, keep in mind that you may need fewer bills.

When measuring and cutting the ribbon for the lei, it's a good idea to start with a length of about 36 inches. This can be adjusted later if needed. You can always cut excess ribbon, but you can't easily add more if it's too short. Therefore, it's better to start with a length that's slightly longer than you think you'll need.

If you're making a money lei for a wedding, you might want to consider the height of both the bride and the groom, especially if they will be sharing the lei. You can also choose shades of ribbon that match the wedding colour theme.

Frequently asked questions