Use new $1 bills to make clean, crisp leis.
Whether you're making a graduation lei, a wedding lei or a lei for any important occasion, all you need is a few household supplies and a sizable stack of $1 bills to make Hawaiian money leis.
Keep in mind that while the process of making money leis takes no special skill, it does take a lot of time. And, depending on how long you want to make the lei--those $1 add up--it's not cheap. But as gifts go, money leis are one of the most unusual and memorable you can give.
Instructions
Made of Money: Leis
1. Cut all the straws into 1/4-inch-thick pieces.
2. Fold a bill horizontally to make a crease, then open it back up.
3. Fold the bill vertically, inch by inch to create a fan pleat: Fold one inch over forward, then fold that pleat back another inch and repeat. Continue making pleats until the whole bill is pleated like a fan.
4. Fold the fanned bill in the middle. It should look like a bow tie.
5. Cut approximately 5.5 feet of ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half.
6. Make a double-knot in the looped end of the ribbon (not the cut ends).
7. Put the folded bill below the knot, between the two strands of ribbon. Make a double-knot below the bill to hold it in place.
8. Fan the bill out in a circle by bringing the bottom ends together and the top ends together. Tape the bottom ends together and top ends together. It will look like a flower.
9. Put one small piece of straw below the money flower. This will space out the bills.
10. Take another bill. Repeat steps 2-9 until all the bills are flowered and secured.
11. Tie the lei together at the end and cut off the excess ribbon.
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