How to Make an Easy Paper Wallet

Use paper with hearts printed on it to express love.

Wallets are typically made out of vinyl, leather or cloth, but you can make a wallet out of paper. Since paper can be found in a variety of interesting colors and designs, the paper wallet you create could turn out to be prettier than any wallet you have ever seen. Make a paper wallet for yourself, or help a child make an easy paper wallet she can present as a gift. A wallet is a gift almost anyone can use.

Things You'll Need

• 8 ½ inch by 7 ½ inch piece of white copy paper
• 8 ½ inch by 7 ½ inch piece of decorative gift-wrapping paper
• 4 ¾ inch by 2 ½ inch piece of white copy paper
• 4 ¾ inch by 2 ½ inch piece of decorative gift-wrapping paper
• 4 ½ inch by 1 inch piece of matching solid colored paper, 2
• 7 ½ inch by 1 inch piece of matching solid colored paper
• Pieces of matching satin ribbon, 1/8 inch wide by 10 ½ inches long, 2
• ½ inch-wide clear cellophane tape
• Glue stick
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Take the 8 ½ inch by 7 ½ inch pieces of white paper and decorative paper and glue them together, with the print side of the paper exposed. Fold the glued paper in half so the bottom portion of the folded 8 ½ inch paper is folded up 4 inches, and you have about a half inch of white paper showing at the top. Fold the glued paper in half again, this time from left to right, then set the paper aside. Note that the exposed inch of white paper should be inside.

2. Glue the 4 ¾ inch by 2 ½ inch piece of white paper and decorative paper together in the same manner. Set the paper aside.

3. Take the two 4 ½ inch by 1 inch pieces of solid colored paper and fold them in half so they are half an inch wide. Cut a tiny "V" shaped notch in both pieces of paper, halfway down the length of the paper.

4. Make a double knot at the end of both pieces of ribbon, and feed each ribbon through each notched hole so the long end of the ribbon extends out of the folded side of the paper and the knot is hidden inside.

5. Place each folded and notched solid color piece of paper over each end of the large folded paper, and glue in place to create a trim.

6. Fold the 7 ½ inch by 1 inch piece of solid colored paper in half so it is half an inch wide, and glue it to the top of the large piece of folded decorative paper after unfolding the decorative paper from right to left.

7. Fold the bottom of the 4 ¾ inch by 2 ½ inch piece of glued paper up, so that 1 ¼ inch of white is exposed and the folded paper is approximately 3 inches in length. Fold the top of the paper over the bottom of the paper to form a pocket.

8. Fold a piece of tape over both sides of the pocket to seal them.

9. Glue the pocket to the center of the right interior side of the paper wallet.

10. Tie the ribbons together to prevent bills and coins from falling out of the wallet.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use thick paper as thicker paper may make folding your paper wallet difficult. Also avoid using paper that is too thin.

• Make your own designs by printing paper from your computer. Print words in different fonts to personalize your paper wallet.