Are you looking for a unique way to give cash to someone who’s been dreaming of sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters? Whether it’s for a graduate who is ready for a well-deserved beach break or a newlywed couple who is going on a honeymoon to a tropical paradise, this is the perfect DIY project for you!
And you know what the best part is?
It’s actually super easy to make!
So grab your glue gun, some seashells, and let’s help them save up for an expensive vacation with this beautiful money origami beach scene!
You may also be interested in these fun DIY money projects
Table of Contents
Save this beach-themed money project
Materials needed
- 4 Bills
- 2 Cocktail umbrellas (or 2 round papers, scissors, glue, and wooden sticks)
- Decorative sand
- Decorative shells
- Bowl or basket
Instructions
Step 1: Fold the beach bed origami
Alright, let’s start with the first origami part of our project; a beach bed.
I used the YouTube video below that explains how to make an origami beach bed using regular paper, but I tested it with various-sized cash notes, and they all worked fine. So regardless of the instructions, you any cash notes; dollars, euros, and other notes (I used Israeli shekels).
The only downside of using money is that some folds are a bit more difficult to make because bills are thicker and narrower, but I managed just fine and I am 100% sure you will too!
It’s only a 2-minute video (at 2:33 the instruction for the beach umbrella starts which we will skip for now) so it’s relatively easy. Change the speed to 0.5x to make it even easier to follow along with the steps.
Keep in mind that your beach bed will turn out to be narrower and longer than the example. Personally, I actually quite liked the cash-sized ones.
Obviously, you can make as many beach beds as you want, it just depends on how much cash you’re planning to give and how much time you have for folding.
I went with two.
Step 2: Fold the shell origami
Alright now that we’ve got our beach beds, it’s time for the origami shells.
The video instructions below are super easy, especially if you adjust the speed again. However, I have two important things to share before you start.
The first thing is that I would advise you to only do the instructions of the video until minute 2:05.
Why?
Well, that’s related to the second important thing. Which is that technically, you would need squared paper for the clamshell.
Now, obviously, cash is not squared and that’s why I didn’t follow the instruction completely.
I decided to fold my bills in two. If you’re using euros or shekels (like I did), you will have a square shape now. If you are using dollars, you will have to fold it in two and just work with the rectangle (your shell will look a bit different in the end, but it works too).
Because our paper is already folded it makes following the instructions a bit harder, but just pause the video a lot and you will be able to follow along.
It doesn’t matter that your shape is slightly different. You will still have an awesome origami shell, just not a clam shell.
And don’t worry about the pointy end, we will actually use that to stick our shell in the sand
Step 3: Beach umbrellas
Now if you’re going the easy way, simply take these cocktail umbrellas and you’re done.
If you’re feeling crafty today, you can also make them yourself. I used the instructions from the beach bed video above for the umbrellas too, it starts at 2:33.
But you can skip the part where they add a foot to the umbrella because you’ll be sticking it in the sand so it will stay up anyways.
Step 4: Create the beach scene
Alright, it’s finally time to put everything together.
Grab a cute bowl or basket, add sand and some shells to make it look pretty, and then add your origami and umbrellas to finish the scene.
Now, I was staying close to the beach when I was crafting this porject so I just took some sand and shells from the beach.
But if you don’t happen to be close to a beach, you can also order artificial sand on Amazon, and decorative beach shells on Etsy.
Save this beach-themed money project
Whether it’s for graduates, newlyweds, friends, family, your kids, this beach-themed money origami scene is perfect for anyone!
Final note on this beach-themed money project
Alright, I hope that this money beach scene has inspired you to give money in a more fun and unique way. Whether it’s for a graduate, newlyweds who are going on a honeymoon to an island, or a relative saving for a world trip, I guarantee that your beach money gifts will be greatly appreciated.
You may also like these DIY projects.
