A “money lei” is a Hawaiian-style garland made from folded cash and ribbon, usually given for graduations, birthdays, or other big celebrations.

Below is a clear, step‑by‑step guide plus a few style variations.

What is a money lei?

  • A money lei is a necklace‑style gift made by folding paper bills into shapes (often flowers or fans) and stringing them together.
  • It’s popular for graduations because it’s both decorative and practical: the recipient can wear it, then unfold the money to spend later.

Basic supplies you’ll need

Most simple leis use things you can find at home or a craft store.

  • Cash in small bills (for example 20–50 one‑dollar bills, or any mix you want to gift).
  • Ribbon or string (curling ribbon or satin ribbon works well).
  • Clear tape (or small rubber bands/twist ties, depending on the style).
  • Scissors.
  • Optional: paper in school colors, beads, silk or foam flowers, or felt/cardboard for a backing if you’re making a flat-style lei.

Method 1: Accordion “flower” money lei (classic round pieces)

This is one of the most common styles you’ll see at graduations.

Step 1 – Decide how much money and style

  • Choose how much you want to gift (for example, 25 bills of mixed amounts or all ones).
  • Plan a pattern: all money pieces, or alternating money–paper–money in school colors.

Step 2 – Fold each bill into an accordion

  • Lay a bill flat and fold it back and forth along the long edge in small pleats (about 1–1.5 cm wide), like making a paper fan.
  • Press each crease firmly so it holds its shape.

Step 3 – Turn each bill into a round “flower”

  • Fold the pleated strip in half so the short ends meet.
  • Bring the outer edges together and secure with a small piece of clear tape to make a ring/rosette.
  • Repeat for all your bills (and paper strips if you’re mixing in colored paper).

Step 4 – Prepare the string

  • Cut a length of ribbon or string long enough to go around the recipient’s neck, with extra to tie a bow (around 6–8 feet is common).
  • Find the center of the string and tie on a bead if you want a focal point, otherwise just mark the center.

Step 5 – String the lei

  • Each round money “flower” has two small holes near its center where the folds meet.
  • Thread one end of the string through one side of the flower and the other end through the opposite side so the flower sits across both strands.
  • Slide it down toward the bead/center.
  • Add a bead next, if you’re using beads, by passing both string ends through the bead so it sits snug against the flower.
  • Repeat: flower → bead → flower → bead until you’ve used all your money pieces.

Step 6 – Finish and adjust

  • Bring the two ends of the string together and tie a secure knot or bow so it forms a loop.
  • Check that the lei hangs comfortably and adjust spacing by sliding flowers/beads closer together if needed.

Method 2: Simple “wrap on a store‑bought flower lei”

This is very quick if you have a cheap plastic or silk flower lei already.

What you need

  • One inexpensive flower lei (often from a dollar store).
  • Around 30–35 folded dollar bills (or however many you want to use).
  • Clear tape.

Steps

  1. Fold each bill into an accordion (as above), then fold in half to make a fan shape.
  1. Find the small separators or plastic pieces between the flowers on the lei.
  1. Wrap a folded bill around a separator so the two ends meet at the back.
  1. Tape the ends together firmly so the bill holds onto the lei.
  1. Continue all around the lei until you’ve added bills in every spot you want filled.

You end up with a colorful flower lei that has money “bursts” all the way around, with minimal crafting.

Method 3: Long “all money” lei (time‑intensive)

Some tutorials use 80–100 crisp one‑dollar bills to create a very full lei where almost every section is money.

  • Bills are folded and secured with tape or ties, then strung along curling ribbon.
  • It takes more time but creates a dramatic, all‑cash statement piece.

If you go this route, ask your bank for crisp bills so folds look neat and the lei feels sturdy.

Method 4: Flat money lei with felt or paper base

Another trending style is a flat lei with decorative layers of ribbon, flowers, and money attached to a backing.

Basic idea

  • Cut a base shape (often a long curved strip or a series of connected pieces) out of stiff felt or heavy paper.
  • Cut slits at the ends to thread ribbon through so it can be tied around the neck.
  • Fold bills into shapes (small fans or flowers), then glue or tape them onto the base in rows or clusters.
  • Add layers of ribbon, braids, or faux flowers to frame the money and match school or event colors.

This style looks more like a statement necklace and can be adapted for kids or adults by scaling the base.

How many bills should you use?

  • Typical “standard” leis use somewhere around 30–50 bills, depending on how full and long you want it.
  • Some very full designs use up to 100 one‑dollar bills for a dramatic effect.
  • You can mix denominations (for example, mostly ones with a few fives or tens) if you want to hide little surprises.

Design tips and ideas

  • Match school or event colors using ribbon, beads, or paper between money sections.
  • Use alternating patterns (money–bead–paper–bead) to make the lei look more balanced and comfortable to wear.
  • If the lei feels too bulky, make it slightly longer so it hangs lower on the chest instead of bunching around the neck.
  • Keep tape small and neat so the recipient can remove it without tearing the bills.

Quick HTML table: methods at a glance

[3][5] [9] [7] [1][3]
Method Skill level Time needed Approx. bills Main supplies
Accordion “flower” lei Beginner 1–2 hours 20–50 Bills, ribbon, tape, optional beads/paper
On a store-bought flower lei Beginner 30–60 minutes 30–35 Flower lei, bills, tape
All-money full lei Intermediate Several hours 80–100 Crisp bills, curling ribbon, tape
Flat lei with felt base Intermediate 1–3 hours 30–50 Felt/paper base, ribbon, glue, bills

Little storytelling idea for gifting

Imagine handing the graduate a plain flower lei first, then lifting a second lei that’s clearly thicker and shinier.
As they look closer, they notice every “petal” is actually folded money , and the colors match their school—green and white, or blue and gold.
Later that night, they sit down, carefully peel back the tape, and flatten each bill back out, watching a wearable memory quietly turn into their celebration fund. If you tell me who the lei is for (kid, adult, graduate, birthday) and roughly how much you want to spend, I can suggest a specific style and number of bills tailored to your situation. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.