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)
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!
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!
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.
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.
Heart Pochi-bukuro (small envelope for gifting money)
Adorable heart-patterned money envelopes are an especially great idea for women.
All you need is a 15 cm × 15 cm sheet of pink origami paper.
After making several mountain folds, cut along the folded section with scissors and unfold to create a heart shape.
Don’t try to make a perfect heart all at once—first cut out the general outline, then trim gradually to form the rounded curves.
Finally, flip it over and tuck in both ends, and it instantly transforms into a cute money envelope! You can also try many variations just by changing the color of the origami paper, so give it a try!