A DIY money lei is made by folding individual notes into a fan or accordion shape, then threading them onto a length of ribbon or string through the folded centre — repeated until the lei reaches full length, usually 30-40 notes for a standard necklace-length lei.
The folding itself isn't difficult, but it is repetitive and slow: a full lei can take well over an hour once you've folded, threaded, and evenly spaced every single note, which is the part most people underestimate before starting.
Fresh, uniform notes fold and sit more evenly than a mixed batch, so sourcing enough matching notes upfront (rather than mixing whatever's on hand) makes a real difference to how the finished lei looks.
For anyone short on time before an event, a ready-made lei skips the folding entirely and arrives pre-assembled to a consistent standard — the practical choice when the event is closer than the hour-plus the DIY version actually takes.
Our Money Lei (Single) and Money Lei 3-Pack are both pre-folded and ready to wear straight out of the packaging, reduced-scale and marked NOT LEGAL TENDER like every note we produce.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to make a money lei by hand?
Often over an hour for a full-length lei, once folding, threading, and spacing 30-40 notes evenly is accounted for.
Does a money lei need special notes, or will any prop notes work?
Fresh, uniform notes fold and sit more evenly than a mixed batch — worth sourcing matching notes rather than mixing whatever's on hand.