How To Make A Money Rose Bud

Kylyssa Shay worked as a florist for eighteen years and has created and taught an assortment of crafts to adults and children of all ages.

A money rose made with two dollar bills is a clever way to give money as a gift.

photo and craft tutorial by Kylyssa Shay

Money Flower Bouquet

Have you ever been in a position where the only thing you can figure out to give someone as a gift was cash? Maybe you felt that wasn't very creative or personal? Well, there's a way you can do that and still make it an interesting and fun present.

Money roses make great gifts for:

Valentine's Day
Mother's Day
Christmas
Graduation
Birthdays
Retirement
Weddings
First wedding anniversaries, for which the traditional choice is paper!

This step-by-step guide will show you how to make origami money blooms of any denomination for any occasion.

Here are the materials required to make a money rose.

Kylyssa Shay

Materials Needed

5–7 crisp, flat bills of any denomination you desire for each rose you wish to make
1 piece of straight floral wire for each bill
1 roll of green floral tape
Artificial rose leaves

Step 1: Fold the bills in half first as it will make curling the edges easier.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 1: Begin With the Center Bud

Take one of the bills and fold it straight in half width-wise as shown in the photo above.
While the bill is still folded, roll the outer edges into a small tube with your fingertips, holding the layers in a single piece on each side to form the curls as shown.

Step 2: An angled fold makes the finished petals look attractively spaced on the finished flower.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 2: Fold the Petals at an Angle

Take the remaining four to six bills and fold them in half at an angle across the center as shown.
Roll the edges as shown above so all of the curls are facing the same direction when the bill is folded.

Step 3: Do this pinching and scrunching gently but firmly so as not to tear the bill. You may wish to practice on pieces of plain paper first.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 3: Add Wire to the Bud for the Rose Center

Slip a floral wire through the fold on the bud bill.
Hold the bill firmly in place on the wire with one hand and bunch the paper of the bill together by pushing the paper of the bill together in small increments, bending the wire into a very tight "U" shape as you go.
Give the wire a twist or two to hold the bill in place.

Step 4: Take your time and be patient putting the money onto wires to avoid damaging the bills.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 4: Put Wires Onto the Remaining Bills

Slip a floral wire through the fold of each petal bill.
Hold the bill firmly in place on the wire with one hand and bunch the paper of the bill together as shown along the wire, bending the wire in a loop that bows in away from the direction of the curls as you go.
Bend the ends of the loop together and give the wire a twist or two to hold the bill in place.

Step 5: Don't worry if the sides of the bud don't look great. They will be hidden by the petals when assembled into the flower.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 5: Fluff the Center Bud Into Shape

Stick a finger between the layers of the folded bud and pop the paper at the crease out a little in each direction to fluff it out, so the bud looks more rounded.
Arrange the curls so they are interlocking as shown and set the finished bud aside.

Step 6: Here's how they should look from a few different angles.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 6: Curve the Petals Into a Natural-Looking Shape

Use your fingertips to bow the paper out in a curve as shown and use your fingers to relax the curl of the edges until they look a bit more like the natural curl of a rose petal.
Repeat until you've done this with all of the remaining bills.

Step 7: Be sure to pull the floral tape tight as you wrap it around the wires to help it stick to itself.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 7: Bind the Bud and Petals Together With Floral Tape

Bunch the petals together with the bud in the center and slide the petals around the outside of it until they look natural.
Take the floral tape, starting just under the bloom, pulling steadily to keep the tape stretched, and tape down the bundle of wires.
If desired, a small collar of artificial rose leaves or an artificial ring of rose sepals can be placed at the base of the bloom to add more realistic detail.

Step 8: Silk leaves make a nice finishing touch.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

Step 8: Affix the Leaves to the Stem

Lay the artificial rose leaves along the stem approximately where they would occur on a natural rose and, using floral tape, attach them to the stem.
Pull the floral tape tight as you wind it around the stem to activate the adhesive and make it stick to itself.

This bloom is made of two-dollar bills. I used six two-dollar bills—five became petals and the sixth became the bud in the center.

Kylyssa Shay

How Do I Remove the Bills?

To remove the bills from your money rose, simply find the end of the floral tape on the rose and peel it off the wires. Unbend the wires and free your cash!

Here's a photo of the finished money rose. Look how beautiful it is!

Kylyssa Shay

How to Present the Money Rose

Money roses can be arranged in vases or boxes, held by stuffed animals, or even tied to balloons. They can also be tied to actual branches to create a cash tree for special occasions such as anniversaries, weddings, or graduations.

How I Learned to Make These Roses

I learned to make money roses when a client brought one into the flower shop I was working at 20-some years ago and asked me to make more. I took it apart and did my best to reverse-engineer it. Over the years I simplified the process so it is easier to teach and takes less time to make each one.

I made this bloom with assorted denominations of bills for a graduation gift.

photo by Kylyssa Shay

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Questions & Answers

Question: Does each petal in a money rose need a wire?

Answer: Each bill needs a wire, and each bill creates two petals when folded in half.

To Whom Would You Give a Money Rose?

sandra hart on October 22, 2019:

Do all five dollar bills have the five in purple?

Karen King on August 14, 2018:

I love it.

Jeanne Alvarez on April 21, 2018:

For a baby shower when they only wanted money and no gifts. This was perfect.

Arden Warren on February 11, 2018:

I want to make some for my grand daughters birthday in 1 week.

Helene L Pedersen on September 29, 2017:

Thank you for the turitural. i have used it twise now. second time with the blend of paper and money. And the taker of the roses aer excited.

So thank you very much.

Stella cornish on July 08, 2017:

I would like to present for mother-in-law's 91st birthday

Mary Cole on May 03, 2017:

I want to make a dozen with all $1 dollar bills except one $100 bill for my niece's graduation. 12 years-$ 1200 dollars. Thank God I have a year to save for this Bouquet of Roses.

Ethelyn Beck on May 02, 2017:

To my sister on her 60th birthday with $60 all "wrapped" up :-)

Ms.K on April 29, 2016:

Thanks for the great tutorial. I will try this for my daughter graduating from college.

Diana Abrahamson on February 12, 2016:

Love this money rose idea. Unique twist to gift giving!

peachy from Home Sweet Home on January 17, 2016:

wow, you got so many comments! I love crafts and this is really unique

stephen kalu from Nigeria on January 07, 2016:

Great and fantastic hub. How did you get to learn how to do this. Keep it on and going. Good pix as well

dbdflorist on December 30, 2015:

Play "fake" money from dollar tree works just as well and doesn't carry the expense when you intend for it to remain a rose and not be torn apart. Also for practice rounds before you ruin your cash. Or as decorations at an event where real money roses would quickly line purses.

Kylyssa Shay (author) from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on November 29, 2015:

You're welcome. It's really quick and easy after you have a little practice. Thanks for reading.

Suzie from Carson City on November 29, 2015:

KY.....Thanks so much for this perfectly illustrated step-by step guide to making dollar bill roses. These make a really impressive gift for any occasion! I intend to give it a try!.....Paula

Kylyssa Shay (author) from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on November 29, 2015:

Make as many roses as you like and sell them as you like! Don't forget to charge for your supplies and labor.

Zachary on November 28, 2015:

I need to make roses for someone and they want to pay me. This is the best tutorial I found and I was wondering if I could use it to make the rose I am selling. I am making three and wsa wondering if I could do it under your permission or if you want me to not make it, thank you for your time :)

hubblueafox on October 21, 2015:

Thank you for your idea, but I will use normal papers :v

mactavers on October 04, 2015:

Thanks for the great idea.

Fox Music on July 22, 2015:

Thanks for Sharing This Unique Hub-Page "How to Make a Money Rose"

Sherilyn Hernandez on March 31, 2015:

I linked this how-to on my blog! What a cute and unique idea!!

http://workingmommyof.blogspot.com/2015/03/creativ...

Parly on February 26, 2015:

Awesome. Saw this once in a bouquet and was amazed. The lady cried, as it was a give from her daughter.

Ian Connelly on February 08, 2015:

That is awesome I was just looking for how to do this with money a couple days ago!

Jacobb9205 on February 07, 2015:

Wow, amazing way of giving someone money! Instead of just handing them the money you present it to them in a wonderful way! Thank you for the instructions on how to make one myself!

Lindsey A S from Delaware on February 06, 2015:

Wow this is so beautiful! It actually looks like a flower unlike some how to's you see today. That is an amazing gift, thoughtful and creative great hub!!!

Mara Alexander from Los Angeles, California on February 04, 2015:

This is great, I just wish I had enough ones to spare so I could make some money roses :)

Money actually makes a very pretty rose

Brandon Hart from The Game on February 02, 2015:

Origami is one of the coolest arts I have ever seen. The fact that you can make a spider on a web out of a single piece of paper without cutting or ripping it is amazing.

Meggan Dunn from Winnie, TX on February 01, 2015:

When I waitressed sometimes I would get money folded up in different ways. I love the rose and think it would make an awesome gift!

parth from Ahmedabad, India on January 23, 2015:

yeah! it is really nice to make it. i will also try to make it

Sally Gulbrandsen from Norfolk on January 19, 2015:

That is cute, now I just have to find a way of printing some of those bills:)

Daphne D. Lewis from Saint Albans, West Virginia on January 19, 2015:

What a great gift idea or an addition to a wrapped gift. Thanks for the instruction!

meghansmummy on January 11, 2015:

Thanks will be trying this

Korneliya Yonkova from Cork, Ireland on January 11, 2015:

This is great idea, should try it :)

Toni Pacino on January 10, 2015:

Very cute and awesome idea. I love this! Might try it

Nimblepins on January 10, 2015:

I enjoyed this hub! It's such a great idea. I think your pictures are lovely - crisp and helpful. Also, I appreciate your tip about getting the leaves from a cheap flower. I am going to try one!

Rui Carreira from Torres Novas on January 01, 2015:

A very nice hub. I'm going to try to do one and give it to my girlfriend.

Georgina Crawford from Dartmoor on December 21, 2014:

Such a great idea. Giving cash always seems a bit of a cop out. At least this way I'd feel I'd made some effort. Rating and following.

MasterworksFA from Oakland, CA on December 07, 2014:

What a great idea! I'm going to make one for my friend who is all about floral design.

John Smith on November 22, 2014:

Very awesome guide! This is quite a unique creation.

JKWriter from Right in the middle. on November 03, 2014:

This is such a beautiful idea! Much more elegant than greeting cards with a money pocket! Love the tutorial, and can't wait to try!

Rachael Tate from England on October 23, 2014:

Such a unique gift idea! Love it!

Asalina from Alabama on October 17, 2014:

awesome, luv it

Susan on September 28, 2014:

This is a great idea. I was having a go but your money must be made from paper. As our money is plastic paper and I can't get it to blend at the corners. Love it anyway.

Cecilia Karanja from Nairobi on September 14, 2014:

What an amazing gift idea. Loved the tutorial.

Shinichi Mine from Tokyo, Japan on September 10, 2014:

I remember seeing this lens over at Squidoo. Looks great over here too!

maurinehmontalvo8 on June 23, 2014:

Really awesome. Thanks for sharing!

austinmichael on June 23, 2014:

This is very informative and interesting lens. I like it.

julie2005carter on June 14, 2014:

Great Fathers Day gift !

CashInTheHand LM on June 13, 2014:

A great gift for father\s day, thanks for the great idea!

pennyovenden on June 05, 2014:

Great tutorial!

streetboy on June 01, 2014:

Its wonderful to see how to make money roses...its amazed me.

minhtuong1992 on May 21, 2014:

wow,very useful when picking up girls:))

DDLewis on May 18, 2014:

These are so cute for a gift! Great video!

stoddarda on May 17, 2014:

That is awesome!! I would give it to a girl for her birthday to impress her :)

Mirelae on May 16, 2014:

now that is simply beautiful :)

sirteacup on May 15, 2014:

Fantastic! I love roses and money so this lens was right up my ally. So great for giving money as a gift. I can't wait to make a bouquet of these, thanks for the guide.

GEMNITYA5 on May 14, 2014:

Awesome Money RoseAlso shared on Facebook :)BlessingsGEM

Keith Winter from Spain on May 14, 2014:

Wow!! I love this idea. I'm going to have to give this a go. Thanks for sharing.

kimrgns on May 09, 2014:

Cool idea. Especially if I don't know what to buy for a gift

queenofduvetcover on May 06, 2014:

I wish I would get a dozen money roses!! lol This is an awesome idea. I will keep this in mind next time I give someone money as a gift.

EmmaGraceEllis LM on May 06, 2014:

This is brilliant, i love it, i am going to have to attempt this :-)

meloyelo on April 30, 2014:

Awesome! What a cool gift!

Kylyssa Shay (author) from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on April 28, 2014:

@GEMNITYA5: Is it real art? I don't know. "Real art" is kind of hard to define. Is it real money? Definitely! I used my roommate's two-dollar bills to make the rose that I photographed step-by-step through the process.

GEMNITYA5 on April 27, 2014:

Phenomenal, I was wondering is it real Money Rose Art?BlessingsGEM

Mark from Italy on April 27, 2014:

wow! wonderful tutorial!

joann from utah on April 26, 2014:

What a creative way to give money as a gift. Great lens!

anshulgupta on April 24, 2014:

absolutely awesome...brilliant.

Kylyssa Shay (author) from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on April 23, 2014:

@BillyZhang: I've made them with hundred dollar bills before but they were for wealthy clients who gave them as wedding gifts for the most part.

Billy Zhang from Sydney, Australia on April 23, 2014:

For a second I thought you were using hundred dollar bills! LOL!

Kylyssa Shay (author) from Overlooking a meadow near Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA on April 22, 2014:

@WikiDZ: Actually, I used my roommate's two-dollar bills (he gets them from the bank because he likes to leave them as tips) because I was broke when I made this tutorial. I've probably made hundreds of currency flowers of one sort or another for clients or friends but I've only made a very few with my own money to serve as gifts. They can make five bucks look a lot more impressive as a gift.

WikiDZ on April 22, 2014:

First you need money. ;)

Laura Brown from Ontario, Canada on April 21, 2014:

Weird seeing a two dollar bill again. I like your money rose but I don't think it would work with Canadian money, the new bills anyway.

webindex lm on April 13, 2014:

(I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money. - Pablo Picasso)I dream that I have a lot of A Money Rose

sandy-zoom on April 12, 2014:

Some people do not find the money and the others make roses money

Kathryn Grace from San Francisco on April 12, 2014:

This would be a fun way to give cash to a grad or as a birthday gift to a teenager. Thanks for the superb pictorial how-to.

michaelbarba26 on April 09, 2014:

Awesome

kiki-chou on April 09, 2014:

This is fantastic!

Stanley Green from Czech Republic on April 09, 2014:

Nice idea! I have never seen money roses before. Great present for every origami lover.

katiesnow on April 08, 2014:

what a great gift idea!

Essy K from South Dakota on April 04, 2014:

Love Origami. ^.^

marianmiamian on April 03, 2014:

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for the great idea and easy to follow instructions.

Eugene Samuel Monaco from Lakewood New York on April 03, 2014:

How very creative!! I love it Thanks for this idea and instructions :)

maese-broli on April 03, 2014:

Good idea for a graduation gift!

sotera on April 02, 2014:

I make money corsages with sugar cubes for my girls 16th birthdays!! I cut narrow ribbons of my color choice I tie the ribbon around the cube leaving a tail--all 16 different lengths===I gather them together and add 16 one dollar bills (crisp) tie the flowers at top to form a corsage add a long corsage pin on the back. You can even cut a tiny picture of the girl in center of flowers!!!!

sociopath-free on February 22, 2014:

Classy way to present cash.

Amine from Doha, Qatar on February 21, 2014:

To my woman, it's really beautiful idea i will use it for sure, well done making this beautiful article

Marie on February 17, 2014:

This is absolutely stunning - I love your money rose and I think it would be beautiful for Mother's Day. Thank you for sharing.

thestellargirl on February 09, 2014:

This is so interesting!

Baddew Fibes on December 18, 2013:

How very inventive!

am23g23 on October 08, 2013:

Awesome idea, thanks for the share!

Max Globe on September 16, 2013:

splendid!!!

anonymous on September 11, 2013:

looks amazing. beautiful!

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on September 07, 2013:

I love this idea and with Canadian money being colorful I think it would look beautiful made into roses. Pinning so that I can refer back to your lens when I make my own.

anonymous on August 18, 2013:

Have been doing my own version of this for years. They are beautiful for a presentation bouquet for a special anniversary. Your local florist will gladly give you a long stem box and tissue for a gift presentation. I add a drop of rose fragrance for effect too.

anonymous on August 18, 2013:

I will be making these for my Granddaughters grad.

RANADEEP on August 17, 2013:

Very nice thought,I learned something new!!

mathew31 on August 13, 2013:

This is a really cool idea and I've never heard of it before! I love the uniqueness of it.

anonymous on August 11, 2013:

making a bunch of roses for my daughters 21st

anonymous on August 03, 2013:

This was a perfect idea for my cousins bridal shower! The instructions were easy to follow and I know it'll be a hit!

josietook on August 01, 2013:

I've bookmarked this lens. Plan on giving your idea a go next time I give cash as a present. Great lens.