Want to make a fun graduation lei that looks fancy (but is actually so easy to DIY)? &#;&#;

This creative homemade money lei is the easiest DIY graduation gift we’ve seen anywhere! Make this for the special graduates in your life by simply folding paper bills into accordion-style “flowers” and tying them to an inexpensive beaded party necklace.

Customize your lei using school colors, and the denomination of bills is completely up to you!

No fancy origami paper folding here!

There are so many different ways to make money leis, and some of them are pretty time-consuming and complicated. I promise you that this version is a simple, FUN, and very doable DIY project that you’ll actually enjoy doing! You can make a few paper “flowers” made out of colored construction paper as I did, or just use additional bills.

What a fun and unique way to gift money!

If you’re giving money to a graduate and you want to do a little something special for your graduation gift (other than giving a check or gift card), this is a neat idea. I love that this project isn’t super complicated and it can be customized for your grad by using their school colors.

I would have loved receiving this at my graduation! It’s such a great alternative to expensive flower leis and trust me – your graduate will appreciate money a whole lot more than flowers. &#;

Check out these thoughtful graduation gifts for $15 or less!

I love the look of a lei on graduation but I knew my boys wouldn&#;t want one or appreciate it. I decided to make my oldest son a money lei. It serves as an awesome gift because who doesn&#;t love money? I decided to it would be good idea to post about how to make one for anyone else who would to give this gift.  It is a labor of love but pop on a show on Netflix and you are good.

Basic Supplies:

Pick the amount of money that works for your budget. You could go crazy and use 5, 10, or 20&#;s.  I used ** ones. That give you an idea of the length.  Also, I like to used cheap off brand tape so that it is easy to come off when someone wants to use the money later.

I started by folding the side down 1/4 of an inch which is about the size of the border on the back.

Fold it like a fan.

Bend it in half and tape two side together.

Tape the other side to make a wheel shape.

Tie a knot on the end of two long pieces of string. String both pieces of string through each hole.  Tie a basic knot after each wheel to secure it.

Totally optional but if you want to add color to your lei, trace a dollar sized piece of paper and make a wheel.

Incorporate them into you lei in any pattern.

I tie a ribbon to both ends for more comfort around the neck.

Make sure to trim and excess strings or ribbon. I like to hot glue the knots so that it doesn&#;t come loose.  This is not something you want to lose!!

In case you noticed, my daughter modeling this lei is definitely too young to be graduating anything but she&#;s the best for the job. My boys would not be cool with standing there for a picture.