Creating Money Leis For Weddings: A Step-By-Step Guide

Money leis are a unique and cherished part of Hawaiian culture, often given as gifts at graduations and weddings. They are a thoughtful and creative way to give the gift of cash. In this guide, we will teach you how to make your own money lei, which you can use to celebrate milestones in your loved ones' lives. Whether it's for a wedding, graduation, or any other special occasion, a money lei is a memorable and generous way to mark a significant achievement. So, let's get started on creating a meaningful and beautiful gift that intertwines practicality with cultural significance.

Folding the money into an accordion shape

To create a money lei for a wedding, one popular method is to fold the dollar bills into an accordion shape, also known as a "money fan". This technique creates a stylish and elegant look for the lei, and it's a wonderful way to gift money to the happy couple. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to fold the money into an attractive and secure accordion shape:

Begin by laying a dollar bill flat on a table in front of you. You'll want to use new, crisp bills if possible, as they create a more polished look and are easier to fold. Freshly starched bills are ideal, but if you don't have access to new bills, gently ironing the bills on a low heat setting can help achieve a similar effect.

Now, take the bottom edge of the bill and fold it up towards the center, creating a sharp crease. The width of this fold will determine the size of your accordion pleats, so aim for a width of around half an inch to an inch. Then, flip the bill over and repeat this fold on the other side, creating a mirror image. Your bill should now have two equal-width strips running along its length, with a clear center crease.

Next, carefully fold the bill back and forth along these creases in an accordion pattern. Make sure your folds are crisp and precise, and maintain an even tension as you fold to ensure the pleats are uniform. Continue folding until you reach the end of the bill, then gently flatten the fan with your fingers to ensure it lies relatively flat.

Repeat this process with the remaining dollar bills, creating a stack of money fans. Depending on the desired length of your lei, you may need anywhere from 20 to 50 dollar bills, or more if you wish to create a very full lei. Once you have enough fans, you can begin assembling your lei by threading a thin ribbon or string through the folds of the money fans, creating a beautiful money lei for the wedding celebration.

Securing the folded money with a rubber band

Once you have folded your bills accordion-style, it's time to secure them with a rubber band. Wrap a small rubber band around the centre of the bill. This will keep the bill in place so you can attach the decorative ribbon. The rubber band ensures the bill maintains its shape and doesn't unfold. It also makes it easier to tie the bill to the ribbon securely.

The rubber band should be tight enough to hold the bill together but not so tight that it stretches or distorts the bill. You can use colourful rubber bands to add a decorative touch, or simple, plain ones if you prefer. If you don't have any rubber bands, you can also use thread to tie the bill together at its centre.

After securing the bill with the rubber band, you can attach it to the ribbon by threading a 6-inch piece of coloured ribbon through the rubber band and tying it securely. You can tie the bill directly onto the ribbon, or, if you are using beads, in between the beads for a more evenly spaced look.

The rubber band is an important step as it ensures the bill holds its shape and doesn't come undone. It also makes it easier to work with the folded bills when creating your money lei.

Attaching the money to a necklace

To attach the money to a necklace, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need a necklace, preferably a Kukui nut or beaded necklace, a rubber band, and a slender, 6-inch piece of coloured ribbon. You may also want to prepare some double-sided tape. Next, fold your bills in an accordion style. Make small, back-and-forth folds, about 1/2 inch wide, along the length of each bill. Secure the folded bill with a rubber band in the centre. Then, fan out the ends of the bill so that it forms a circle. Secure the ends together with double-sided tape.

Now you are ready to attach the money flowers to your necklace. Tie the rubber-banded area of the bill to the necklace with your ribbon. You can tie it in a bow or a decorative knot. It is recommended to tie the bills in between the beads, so you can evenly space them out. Continue this process until you have added the desired number of money flowers to the necklace, spacing them evenly throughout the length of the necklace.

You can further decorate your money lei necklace by adding paper flowers, silk flowers, candy, or even jewellery in between the money flowers. You can also personalise it by adding small mementos, charms, shells, or other meaningful items.

Adding paper flowers or other decorations

Once you have folded and secured your chosen number of money flowers to the necklace, you can start adding paper flowers or other decorations.

If you feel that your lei is too sparse, you can bulk it out by adding paper flowers in the gaps between the money flowers. It's easy to create matching paper flowers by cutting coloured paper into money-sized rectangles and folding them in the same accordion style as the money. Wrap a rubber band around the centre of each paper flower, then attach them to the necklace using a small piece of tape and ribbon. You can add as many paper flowers as you like in between the money flowers.

You can also mix up your homemade money leis by adding other decorations. Try tying colourful silk flowers, candy, or even jewellery intermittently throughout the necklace.

You could also personalise the gift by adding things that are special to the recipient. Choose small childhood mementos, baby toys, special charms, sea shells, ticket stubs, or anything else that brings to mind a treasured memory.

Another idea is to write or print inspirational notes on slips of paper, then fold and tie them in the same fashion as the money flowers.

Personalising the lei with meaningful items or messages

Charms, trinkets, and mementos

Small items that hold a special meaning for the recipient can be tied onto the lei among the money flowers. Think charms, shells, ticket stubs, or small childhood toys. These items will add a whimsical touch to the lei and serve as a reminder of cherished memories.

Inspirational notes

Write or print out short inspirational messages or quotes on slips of paper. Fold and attach these notes to the lei in the same way you would with the money flowers. This idea adds an element of encouragement and motivation to the gift.

Photos

Miniature-sized photos or polaroids can be attached to the lei, providing a visual reminder of special moments shared with the recipient. Alternatively, you could paste photos onto the individual bills before folding them, creating a unique and personalised design.

Coloured paper

If you want to add pops of colour to your lei, consider using coloured paper to create additional flowers. Fold the paper in the same accordion style as the money bills and attach them to the lei in between the money flowers. This is a simple way to make your lei more vibrant and playful.

Flowers

Incorporate silk flowers or make your own flowers from coloured paper. These can be interspersed with the money flowers to add a delicate and decorative touch. You could choose the recipient's favourite flowers or colours to make the lei even more meaningful.

Remember, the possibilities for personalisation are endless. Get creative and think about what items or messages would be most meaningful to the recipient, whether they are a graduate or celebrating their wedding.

Frequently asked questions