How to Make a Money Lei: Crafting a Traditional Hawaiian Graduation Gift That Speaks Volumes

Money leis have become the ultimate fusion of cultural tradition and practical gift-giving, transforming crisp dollar bills into wearable art that celebrates life's milestones. Walk into any Hawaiian graduation ceremony, and you'll witness graduates draped in these intricate creations—some so elaborate they resemble royal regalia, others simple yet elegant in their restraint. What started as a creative adaptation of the traditional flower lei has evolved into an art form that requires patience, precision, and a surprising amount of mathematical thinking.

I remember the first time I attempted to make one. My niece was graduating from high school, and I wanted to give her something more meaningful than a check stuffed in a card. Three hours, two YouTube tutorials, and approximately forty-seven attempts later, I had created what could generously be called a "rustic" money lei. But you know what? She loved it. The imperfections somehow made it more special—proof that someone had spent time crafting something just for her.

Understanding the Cultural Context

Before diving into folding techniques and ribbon choices, it's worth understanding why money leis carry such significance. In Hawaiian culture, leis represent love, respect, and celebration. They're given to honor someone, to welcome them, or to mark important transitions. The money lei takes this beautiful tradition and adds a practical element that resonates particularly well with young adults heading off to college or starting their careers.

The practice likely emerged in the 1990s, though pinpointing its exact origins proves challenging. Some say it started in Filipino communities in Hawaii, where similar monetary gifts were traditional. Others credit creative aunties who wanted to help their graduates with college expenses while still honoring lei-giving customs. Regardless of its beginnings, the money lei has become deeply embedded in Pacific Islander graduation traditions and has spread across the mainland United States.

Essential Materials and Their Quirks

Creating a money lei requires surprisingly few materials, but choosing the right ones makes all the difference. You'll need crisp bills—and I cannot stress the "crisp" part enough. Trying to fold a wrinkled five-dollar bill is like trying to origami with tissue paper that's been through the wash. Most people use ones, fives, or tens, though I've seen some ambitious relatives create leis with twenties or even fifties. The denomination depends on your budget and relationship to the graduate.

For the foundation, you'll need ribbon or cord. Satin ribbon works beautifully and comes in school colors, but it can be slippery. Some crafters swear by grosgrain ribbon for its grip. I personally prefer a thin, sturdy cord for the base with decorative ribbon wrapped around it. You'll also need small rubber bands or tape (the clear kind works best), and potentially some decorative elements like silk flowers, beads, or small charms.

Here's something most tutorials won't tell you: the type of tape matters immensely. That cheap dollar store tape? It'll yellow within months, potentially damaging the bills. Spring for the good stuff—archival quality if you're feeling fancy. Some graduates keep their money leis as keepsakes long after spending the cash.

The Basic Butterfly Fold

The butterfly fold forms the foundation of most money leis. Start by laying your bill face-up on a flat surface. Fold it accordion-style, making each fold about a quarter-inch wide. This is where patience becomes your best friend. Rushed folds create lopsided butterflies, and trust me, it shows in the final product.

Once you've created your accordion, pinch it in the middle and secure with a small rubber band or thin wire. Fan out both sides to create wings. Some people stop here, but I like to add a small fold at the top of each wing, creating more dimension. The trick is maintaining consistency—if your first butterfly has seven folds, try to keep that number throughout. Your lei will look more polished, even if no one consciously counts the folds.

Advanced Folding Techniques

Once you've mastered the butterfly, a whole world of possibilities opens up. The rose fold creates stunning focal points but requires practice. Start with the bill face-down, fold one corner diagonally to create a triangle, then begin rolling from the folded edge. As you roll, gradually angle the bill to create the rose's spiral effect. Secure the base with tape or a rubber band, then gently separate the layers to create petals.

The fan fold offers elegant simplicity. Fold the bill accordion-style like the butterfly, but instead of pinching in the middle, secure one end and let the other fan out. Alternating the direction of fans creates a beautiful wave pattern along the lei.

Some crafters incorporate origami flowers, hearts, or even tiny shirts. I once saw a lei where every fifth bill was folded into a tiny graduation cap—absolutely brilliant, though it took the creator nearly eight hours to complete.

Assembly Strategies

The assembly process separates casual crafters from true money lei artists. Most beginners thread their folded bills directly onto ribbon, but this creates a lei that shifts and bunches. Instead, create small loops of ribbon between each folded bill. This maintains spacing and allows the lei to drape naturally.

Start with a piece of ribbon roughly 44 inches long—standard lei length—plus extra for tying. Some crafters prefer to work with the ribbon stretched between two fixed points; others find it easier to work with the ribbon loose. Neither method is wrong, but I find the stretched method helps maintain even spacing.

When attaching bills, alternate your patterns if using multiple folds. A butterfly-rose-butterfly pattern creates visual interest without overwhelming the eye. If incorporating decorative elements, place them strategically. Too many flowers or beads can overshadow the money itself, defeating the purpose.

Design Variations and Personal Touches

Traditional money leis follow a circular pattern, but don't feel constrained by convention. Braided leis, where three strands of money decorations interweave, create stunning visual impact. Open-ended leis that drape like scarves offer a modern twist and work particularly well for male graduates who might feel uncomfortable with traditional circular leis.

Color coordination elevates any money lei. Match ribbon to school colors, or create an ombre effect using different bill denominations. I've seen crafters use markers to add subtle color accents to bill edges—controversial perhaps, but undeniably effective when done tastefully.

Consider the graduate's future plans when designing. A lei for someone heading to medical school might incorporate caduceus charms. An aspiring teacher might appreciate tiny apple decorations. These personal touches transform a monetary gift into a meaningful keepsake.

Time Management and Realistic Expectations

Let's talk honestly about time investment. Your first money lei will take longer than expected—budget at least three to four hours. Even experienced crafters need ninety minutes for a basic lei. Complex designs can require six to eight hours spread over multiple sessions.

Don't attempt your first lei the night before graduation. Trust someone who learned this lesson the hard way—nothing creates frustration quite like trying to perfect butterfly folds at 2 AM. Start at least a week early, allowing time for mistakes and do-overs.

Presentation and Gifting Etiquette

The presentation matters almost as much as the lei itself. Store your completed lei flat in a box, separated by tissue paper to prevent crushing. Some crafters create custom boxes decorated with the graduate's photos or school memorabilia.

When presenting the lei, follow traditional protocol if attending a Hawaiian or Pacific Islander graduation. The giver places the lei over the graduate's head, accompanied by a kiss on the cheek and congratulations. In other contexts, you might simply hand over the lei, allowing the graduate to put it on themselves.

Include a small card explaining any special elements you've incorporated. If you've used specific denominations for symbolic reasons (eighteen one-dollar bills for an 18-year-old graduate, for instance), mention it. These details often mean more than the monetary value itself.

Troubleshooting Common Frustrations

Bills won't hold their fold? Try the iron trick—place bills between two sheets of parchment paper and iron on low heat. This creates sharper creases that hold better. Ribbon keeps slipping? A tiny dot of clear nail polish on the back of each bill provides just enough grip without damaging the currency.

Uneven spacing plaguing your lei? Create a measuring template from cardboard. Mark intervals where bills should attach, then use it as a guide while assembling. This simple tool transformed my leis from "charmingly handmade" to "professionally crafted."

The Bigger Picture

Making money leis teaches patience and precision while honoring cultural traditions and supporting young adults' futures. Each fold represents time invested in celebrating someone's achievement. In our digital age, where money transfers happen instantly and impersonally, the money lei stands as a testament to the value of handcrafted gifts.

Whether your first attempt produces a masterpiece or something more "abstract," remember that the effort itself carries meaning. Graduates remember who took the time to create something special for them long after they've spent the money. In that sense, every money lei succeeds, regardless of technical perfection.

The tradition continues evolving as crafters experiment with new techniques and materials. Who knows? Your innovation might become the next standard technique passed between generations of lei makers. So grab those crisp bills, queue up your favorite podcast, and start folding. Your graduate—and your fingers—will thank you for the effort.

Authoritative Sources:

Chai, Makana Risser. Na Lei Makamae: The Treasured Lei. University of Hawaii Press, 2005.

McDonald, Marie A. Ka Lei: The Leis of Hawaii. Ku Pa'a Publishing, 1995.

"Hawaiian Lei Traditions." Bishop Museum, www.bishopmuseum.org/hawaiian-lei-traditions/

"Monetary Gifts in Pacific Islander Cultures." Pacific Islander Cultural Center, www.picc.edu/cultural-practices/monetary-gifts

Imada, Adria L. Aloha America: Hula Circuits through the U.S. Empire. Duke University Press, 2012.