Free Printable: 2012 Year of the Dragon DIY Red Envelopes

Last Lunar New Year, I DIY’ed some lucky money red envelopes using Jenn @ Rook No. 17’s free printable. They were so cute and my niece and nephew loved them. And I couldn’t believe it was the first time I had thought to make them myself, especially since I had long grown weary of the old-fashioned bling-bling ones from Chinatown!

So this year I took the image I made for my 2012 Year of the Dragon calendar, and created a printable to make DIY red envelopes of my own.

To make the red envelope, you’ll need to download two files:

1) Click here to download the PDF for the red envelope template. This template is plain, so you can use this year after year and for birthdays, holidays and red egg and ginger parties (to celebrate baby’s first month).

2) Click here to download the PDF for the red envelope front dragon design. There are two designs…one with the dragon by himself with “Gung Hay Fat Choy” written on the front, and the other is a more whimsical design with dragons dancing alongside some other Lunar New Year symbols (tangerines, cherry blossoms and fireworks).

Here’s how I assembled my

2012 Year of the Dragon Red Envelopes!

Materials and tools needed: Color printer, red and white paper (either cardstock or printer paper will work), scissors, paper cutter, double-stick tape or glue, glitter (optional).

Directions:

Print out the envelope template onto red paper. I had cardstock on hand, but thinner paper (like printer paper) is just fine. Or…you can always print out the template on white paper, cut it out, and then trace onto red paper. Then, print out the dragon designs onto white paper.

Cut out the envelope with scissors. For the top flap, cut inside the black line so it doesn’t show when you open the flap. The rest of the edges will be hidden.

 

Then following the diagram, fold to form the envelope, first folding in the sides and adhering with double-stick tape or glue down the middle of the back. Then fold up the bottom flap and tape/glue. Finally make a fold for the opening flap but don’t stick it.

Now you’re ready for the dragon design. Choose which one you’d like on the front and cut out around the red square if you want the red border to show, or you can cut inside of it.

Tape/glue onto the envelope, and you’re done!

Notes:

1) You can also add some glitter. The border can also serve as a guide line.

2) If you print one of the dragon design page and two of the envelope page, you can make four envelopes.

3) If you have extra of the dragon design, you can use it for other things like greeting cards, bookmarks, or wall art to accompany your lucky money gift!

4) And don’t forget to include my Year of the Dragon printable calendar too. :-)

Lunar New Year is on January 23. If you celebrate, Gung Hay Fat Choy, or as my girls say, “Gung Hay Bok Choy! HAHAHAHA!”

My girls, age 11 months (and the last time they willingly posed in their Chinese New Year outfits…barely!). Photography by Loic Nicolas.

And many thanks to Jenn @ Rook No. 17 for the inspiration. Thank you Jenn for acknowledging Lunar New Year on your blog!

Linking: The Frugal Girls :: Petite Hermine :: Tip Junkie::Sassy Sites :: Rook No. 17 :: The Trendy Treehouse:: Tidy Mom :: Creation Corner ::Whipperberry::Tatertots and Jello::Lolly Jane Boutique :: Flamingo Toes :: Homemaker on a Dime :: The Gunny Sack :: Love Affair With My Brother :: Craft Monkey