Graduation day — that exciting time of caps, gowns, and endless possibilities — is an important milestone that deserves to be celebrated. Send your grad down the commencement aisle in style by making them a festive lei! As a symbol of accomplishment and celebration, a graduation lei is a great way to honor your graduate and wish them good luck and joy.
We share instructions for making four different types of leis, so there's something for everyone: money, candy, flowers, and beads/tassels. You can easily personalize it with your grad's school colors, a beloved candy, or their favorite flower. Hats off to this year's graduates!
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How to Make a Graduation Money Lei
Things You'll Need
Dollar bills
Pipe cleaners
Needle
String
Scissors
Paper flowers
1. Fold the ends
Fold each end of the dollar bill 1 inch in toward the center. You can use whatever denomination of bills that you'd like.
2. Fold the corners
Fold each of the corners in toward the center so that they line up with the folded ends.
3. Fold lengthwise
Fold the bill in half lengthwise.
4. Repeat with more bills
Fold two more bills so that you have a total of three.
5. Secure the bills together
Stack the three folded bills together and twist a pipe cleaner around the center to secure them. You'll want to twist the pipe cleaner along the longer edge of the bills.
6. Create a flower shape
Spread each of the "petals" apart to create a flower shape. Make as many money flowers as you'd like to gift to the graduate.
7. String paper flowers
Thread 3 feet of string (we actually used dental floss) onto a needle and then string paper flowers onto it until the string is completely covered.
8. Attach money flowers
Tie the ends of the string together to form a necklace and then attach the money flowers to the lei with the pipe cleaners. Trim any long ends off the pipe cleaners and tuck in any sharp ends.
Looking for a similar graduation gift?
Be sure to check out our DIY Money Tree!
How to Make a Graduation Candy Lei
Things You'll Need
Cellophane
Scissors
Wrapped candy
Ribbon
1. Cut the cellophane
Cut a long string of cellophane (or plastic cling wrap) that is 5 inches wide by 3 feet long.
2. Line up the candy
Line candy down the center of the cellophane, spaced 1/2 inch apart.
Tip
You'll want to choose candy that's wrapped and that doesn't have the potential to melt on a hot day.
3. Add the ribbon
Fold both sides of the cellophane around the candy and tie 6-inch strips of ribbon between each piece of candy. We used three different ribbon colors and alternated them.
4. Tie the ends
Tie the ends of the cellophane tightly together with ribbon.
How to Make a Graduation Floral Lei
Things You'll Need
3 to 4 dozen flowers
Scissors
Needle
String
1. Cut the flowers
Cut the flowers completely off the stems so that the buds of the flowers can lay flat.
Tip
Three dozen blooms should be enough, but for a taller graduate, you may want to use four dozen.
2. Thread the needle
Thread a needle with 3 feet of string (4 feet for a tall graduate). We used dental floss for the string, but you could also use fishing line or embroidery thread.
3. String the flowers
Stick the needle through the bottom of each flower bud to string them together. You can alternate between different flower colors and shapes or use all of the same flower.
4. Tie the ends
Tie the ends of the string together to form a necklace.
How to Make a Graduation Bead & Tassel Lei
Things You'll Need
Ribbon
Scissors
Wood beads (25mm.-1.25 in.)
Tassels
String
1. String the beads
Cut a ribbon that's 3 feet in length and string wood beads onto it. We used three large beads (1.25 inch) in the center and then smaller beads (25 millimeters) on the sides.
2. Tie the ends
Tie the ends of the string together.
3. Add the tassels
Tie tassels between the beads with string and trim off any excess. We alternated tying a different tassel color every two beads.
Looking for more ways to celebrate your graduate?
Now that you know how to make your grad a festive lei, check out these graduation gift ideas for every type of grad!