Folding banknotes is a creative way of Origami that combines traditional Japanese paper folding art with a practical gift idea. If you want to give money as a gift but don't want to simply put it in an envelope, a folded money fish is the perfect solution. This money gift technique is becoming increasingly popular because it combines the best of both worlds: the recipient can later buy something nice for themselves, and you still show off your creative and personal touch when giving the gift.

There are many situations where a money gift is just right: for students who have passed an exam and want to buy new books, for couples getting married who are saving for their dream trip, or for school graduates who need to equip themselves for starting their careers. Sometimes you also just know that the recipient is saving up for something specific - then a creatively folded money fish is the perfect mix of a personal gesture and a practical gift.

Folding money fish: Instructions with photos

With our illustrated instructions, we show you every folding step. The video at the beginning of the article helps you keep track. The photos in the instructions then show every single step. This way, you are guaranteed to succeed in folding your first money fish!

Tip: If you have no experience with folding banknotes, practice first. You have two options: cut paper to the size of banknotes or get play money for practice. Just like with Origami, working carefully yields better results than folding quickly.

Your money fish is ready - creative presentation ideas

Great that you folded a fish out of a banknote! For presentation, you have many options: place it on blue paper, put it in a transparent gift box with maritime decorations, or place it on a beautiful card. Because they are real banknotes, make sure they stay dry and clean.

Interested in more folding ideas? On our portal, you can find over 100 free Origami tutorials for all levels of difficulty. Specifically for folding banknotes, we have more than 30 creative tutorials - from simple hearts to elaborate animal shapes. Explore and discover your next folding project!