How to Decorate Leis for Graduations

Create leis for a graduation party.

Welcome guests into a Hawaiian-themed graduation party with leis to be worn during the party and kept as favors. Leis can also be party decorations. String the leis around tables and doorways, and place them on tables as centerpieces. Select flowers for the leis and decorate them to match the graduate's school colors.

Things You'll Need

• Silk flowers or paper to make flower and leaf cutouts
• Scissors
• Markers or glitter pens
• Yarn
• Beads
• Plastic straws
• Clear tape (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove the stems from the silk flowers. Cut a hole in the center of the flower just large enough for the yarn to go through. Alternately, cut flowers and leaves out of paper.

2. Decorate the flowers and leaves with markers or glitter pens. Decorate them with "Congrats," "Way to go" or the graduation year. Allow the flowers to dry.

3. Cut 2 feet of yarn for each lei. Cut straws into pieces 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. Cut two straws for each lei.

4. String the yarn through a bead, flower, leaf and a piece of straw. Repeat the pattern until there are 2 or 3 inches of yarn still visible on either side. End the pattern with a straw.

5. Tie the ends of the yarn together. To use the leis as garland, knot the ends of leis and tie them together. Tape them in place with clear tape.

References

• Craft Bits: DIY Craft Project Instructions - Silk Flower Lei
• Free Kids Coloring and Crafts: Kids' Crafts - Hawaiian Flower Lei