Graduation day–that exciting time of caps, gowns and endless possibility–is an important milestone that deserves to be celebrated. Send your grad down the commencement aisle in style by making them a festive lei. We're sharing four different types so there's something for everyone: money, candy, flowers and beads/tassels. You can easily personalize it with your grad's school colors, beloved candy or favorite flower. Hat's off to this year's graduates!
Video of the Day
Money Lei
Things You'll Need
Dollar bills
Pipe cleaners
Needle
String
Scissors
Paper flowers
Step 1
Fold each end of the dollar bill one inch in toward the center. You can use whatever denomination of bills that you'd like.
Step 2
Fold each of the corners in toward the center, so that they line up with the folded ends.
Step 3
Fold the bill in half lengthwise.
Step 4
Fold two more bills so you have a total of three.
Step 5
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.
Step 6
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.
Step 7
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.
Step 8
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.
Be sure to check out our DIY Money Tree, which would make an excellent graduation gift, too!
Candy Lei
Things You'll Need
Cellophane
Scissors
Wrapped candy
Ribbon
Step 1
Cut a long string of cellophane (or plastic cling wrap) that is 5 inches wide by 3 feet long.
Step 2
Line candy down the center of the cellophane spaced 1/2 inch apart. You'll want to choose candy that's wrapped and doesn't have the potential to melt on a hot day.
Step 3
Fold both sides of the cellophane around the candy, and tie 6-inch strips of ribbon in between each piece of candy. We used three different ribbon colors and alternated them.
Step 4
Tie the ends of the cellophane tightly together with ribbon.
Floral Lei
Things You'll Need
3 to 4 dozen flowers
Scissors
Needle
String
Step 1
Cut the flowers completely off the stems so that the buds of the flowers can lay flat. Three dozen blooms should be enough, but for a taller graduate, you may want to use four dozen.
Step 2
Thread a needle with 3 feet of string (4 feet for a tall graduate). Again, we used dental floss for the string, but you could also use fishing line or embroidery thread.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Tie the ends of the string together to form a necklace.
Bead & Tassel Lei
Things You'll Need
Ribbon
Scissors
Wood beads (25mm - 1.25 in)
Tassels
String
Step 1
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 (25mm) on the sides.
Step 2
Tie the ends of the string together.
Step 3
Tie tassels in between the beads with string and trim off any excess. We alternated tying a different tassel color every two beads.
