A collection of handmade money envelope ideas: from simple to elaborate
Pochi-bukuro are small envelopes used to give New Year’s money or a little token of thanks.
You can easily find them at convenience stores and 100-yen shops, and if you go to a stationery store or bookstore, you’ll see plenty with character themes and elaborate designs.
But if you’re going to give one, why not put your heart into it and make it by hand?
In this article, we’ll introduce a range of DIY pochi-bukuro ideas—from simple ones that are easy to make to more elaborate versions with clever mechanisms.
There are designs with a New Year’s feel and ones inspired by the zodiac, so be sure to use them as a reference.
A collection of handmade pochibukuro ideas: from simple to elaborate (1–10)
Pochi-bukuro (small gift envelope) with a decorative element styled like a traditional congratulatory gift envelope
You can easily make a festive decorated money envelope (pochibukuro) with just a single sheet of origami paper! Fold it in half slightly offset so it forms a triangle, then flip it over and fold so that the triangle’s tip meets the center of the long edge.
Fold the triangular part back several times to create stepped layers for a decorative look.
Flip it over again, fold the top and bottom (which will form the opening and base of the bag) inward, and tuck one corner into the pocket on the other side to finish.
Traditional Japanese-patterned origami paper is perfect if you want a design that looks like a formal gift envelope.
Even if you’re not good at origami, this is simple to make—give it a try!
kimono-themed gift envelope
This vintage-style pochibukuro features a pattern resembling a kimono’s front overlap.
Fold 1 cm along two edges of an origami sheet, turn it over, and fold them back again.
Turn it over once more and fold so that the corners meet at the center, then fold the remaining two corners toward the center as well.
Fold the paper for the “obi” (belt) into thirds, wrap it around the center of the pouch, and finish by attaching a mizuhiki cord.
Using Japanese-patterned paper for the kimono section and gold or silver origami for the obi creates an even more traditional New Year’s feel.
It’s also perfect for wrapping a small token of thanks!
Pochi-bukuro with noshi (decorative gift paper)
A luxurious handmade money envelope that can even include a noshi-style decoration using just a single sheet of origami.
Fold the origami in half vertically into a triangle, then fold the corners back toward the center of the long side.
Fold back only the top layer’s corner so that a square of the reverse side appears on the front; then keep folding it back several times while shifting slightly each time to create a noshi-like decoration.
Next, flip it over, fold the top and bottom, and tuck one corner into the pocket on the other side to finish.
Add a narrow band made from another strip of origami or a mizuhiki-style embellishment to give it an even more celebratory feel.
Rabbit-themed gift money envelope
How about handing out New Year’s money in cute origami bunny envelopes? Use gold or festive-patterned origami paper, fold it so the white side becomes the bunny’s face, then tuck the money inside and wrap it up—that’s it! It forms a pouch on its own, so there’s no need to glue the origami onto a bag.
By shortening the ears or changing how you draw the face, you can adapt it for other animals like dogs.
Add sparkly stickers or mizuhiki-style decorations to give it a New Year’s flair.
A money envelope that pops out bills
Here’s how to make a pop-up gift envelope (pochibukuro) that surprises when opened.
It’s not complicated—easy to craft yet looks elaborate, so give it a try.
Prepare about two sheets of pretty paper in different sizes.
Slightly thicker paper works best.
After making the folds, cut away any unnecessary parts with scissors.
Next, create an inner sleeve from a different sheet to hold the bill.
Once you’ve made the inner sleeve and placed the bill inside, set it into the outer decorative paper you prepared earlier.
And that’s it—your pop-up pochibukuro is complete.
A handmade envelope that pops open for a fun surprise and makes the recipient happy.
Basic Pochi-bukuro
The basic way to make a pochibukuro (small gift envelope) can be applied to envelopes and many other items, so it’s handy to remember! Fold the origami paper upward about 1 cm from the center line, then fold the opposite side so it overlaps by about 1 cm and glue it.
For the bottom, fold up about 1.2 cm and unfold once, then trim off the corners and half of the flap and glue it down.
Adjust the length of the bag to fit the size needed when a bill is inserted, and trim the top in the same way.
Your simple pochibukuro is complete.
It’s especially useful when you’re just a little short on pre-made pochibukuro—give it a try!
A small money envelope wrapped with origami
This is an origami “pochi-bukuro” that can also be used as a small envelope.
Place it with the back side facing up, fold it in half, and crease only the outer edge.
Fold 1 cm along the near edge, then fold it up to meet the guide crease you just made, and tuck the corners inward.
Fold both sides inward so they match the size of the folded corners, and fold the top part of the envelope into a triangle.
Your mini envelope is complete.
It’s perfect not only as a pochi-bukuro, but also for slipping in a short message card to add to a gift!