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.
- Fun for kids and adults alike! A collection of DIY beanbag (otedama) ideas
- Handmade accessory ideas that will delight the recipient! Easy DIY with everyday materials
- A collection of handmade ema ideas: easy crafts perfect for New Year’s
- Let's make our own shimenawa! A collection of stylish ideas you can create with paper and artificial flowers
- Ideas for handmade Chitose-ame bags you’ll want to use as reference
- Handmade spinning tops with everyday materials! Easy ideas you can enjoy for New Year’s too
- [Crafts] Cute! Handmade Drawstring Pouch Idea Collection
- [Crafts] For those working hard in club activities! A collection of handmade good-luck charm ideas
- For New Year’s! A collection of fun origami ideas to make, decorate, and play with in childcare
- [Great for killing time!] Winter-Recommended Craft Ideas for Adults
- Simple yet amazing! Handmade New Year’s card ideas that will delight
- From Grandchildren with Love! Heartwarming Handmade Gift Ideas for Respect-for-the-Aged Day
- [Handmade] Ideas for diaper pouches and wipes cases
A collection of handmade pochibukuro ideas: from simple to elaborate (1–10)
Cloth pochibukuro (small decorative envelope)
How about trying a simple pouch-style envelope arrangement using 16 cm × 16 cm fabric squares from the 100-yen shop? This project involves some sewing machine work, so it’s perfect for anyone who’s been wanting to take on a more authentic handmade item and dust off their machine.
After stitching the four corners with the sewing machine, finish by inserting an embroidery thread loop.
If you sew on a shirt-style button to create a flap, it will look even more polished.
The warm feel of the fabric is sure to soothe the heart of the person receiving it.
Pull-out gift envelope
The “pull-out envelope,” where you slide a small money envelope out from a tube-shaped sheet of tracing paper, is a top recommendation for a stylish, original gift envelope.
Another great point is how easy it is to adapt with different materials like translucent paper or wax paper.
Here’s how to make it: Prepare two sheets of origami paper, then cut the one you want to use as the inner envelope to 14 cm tall by 12 cm wide.
Next, fold it in half, glue it, and neatly shape the corners to finish.
It’s very easy, so give it a try!
Crane-themed money envelope
When it comes to birds that symbolize celebration, the crane is number one! This crane-themed money envelope, made from a single sheet of origami paper, is perfect for those who want a slightly more grown-up look.
Place the paper with the color you want for the crane facing up, fold it into a pouch shape, and then fold the crane in the lower half.
After putting the New Year’s gift money inside, fold down the top of the pouch and secure it with a sticker, etc.
It’s a bit intricate, but the crane part follows steps similar to folding a standalone crane, so if you’re good at origami, you should have no trouble! Give it a try.
A collection of handmade money envelope ideas: from simple to elaborate (11–20)
Small gift envelope with a milk bottle design
Why not try making cute little gift envelopes (pochibukuro) by hand that will delight anyone who receives them? While there are plenty of store-bought designs, this time let’s make handmade pochibukuro using colored paper.
Choose any paper you like—one with a white back or with different colors on each side.
If you fold it step by step, you’ll end up with a milk-bottle-shaped pouch that looks intricate but is easy to make from a single sheet of origami paper.
You can also decorate the bottle surface with a cow-shaped origami piece or stickers of your favorite motifs.
Make an envelope that’s exciting to open, and give it to someone special.
Dog-themed money envelope (pochibukuro)
Pochi-bukuro shaped like a dog will likely get kids even more excited, thanks to the thrill of receiving otoshidama and the cute look.
You can make them with a single sheet of origami, so materials are easy to gather and they’re recommended even for those who aren’t very handy with crafts.
If you draw a dog’s face on the finished envelope, you can give a one-of-a-kind pochi-bukuro.
It’s sure to create a different kind of delight than a store-bought one, and it’s a project you’ll especially want to try in the Year of the Dog.
How to Make Easy and Stylish Pochi-bukuro (Small Gift Envelopes)
Here’s an idea for making a small money envelope (pochibukuro) out of origami.
It uses simple steps, so try it with your favorite Japanese-patterned paper.
First, place the origami with the white side facing up and fold it in half diagonally to make a triangle, aligning the top and bottom corners.
Next, fold the top corner of the triangle down to meet the center of the base.
Lift the top layer of the upside-down triangle you just created and tuck it between the layers of paper.
Then fold down about 1 centimeter along the base of the remaining bottom triangle.
Create a decorative touch by making a diagonal step fold at the top corner of the triangle, then fold the left and right corners to the back to shape it into a pochibukuro.
You’re done!
Penguin money envelope
Let’s try folding a cute and unique money envelope with a penguin on the front, using origami.
It may look complicated at first glance, but if you follow the steps, it’s easy to make.
First, fold the base origami paper.
Choose any color you like or one that matches the image you have in mind.
Once you’ve folded the basic penguin envelope, move on to the decorative part.
This will be like the obi of a kimono, so pick your favorite origami paper.
Here’s where you can show your own personality.
Receiving such a handmade, cute money envelope would make anyone very happy.