Respect-for-the-Aged Day: Heartfelt, Handmade Gift Ideas They’ll Love
Many of you are probably wondering what kind of gifts to give for this year’s Respect for the Aged Day celebration.
Since it comes only once a year, you want to prepare something special.
If you make a gift by hand while thinking of the recipient, it makes you look forward even more to seeing their happy smile.
This time, we’ll introduce handmade gift ideas such as message cards to display in a room, practical memo holders, and protective charms.
We’ve gathered many motifs that are well loved by seniors.
Put your gratitude into it and create a heartfelt present.
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[Respect-for-the-Aged Day] Give from the heart! A collection of handmade gift ideas that will delight (1–10)
A turtle message card made with mizuhiki
Mizuhiki, the decorative cords often seen on gift envelopes, are made from washi paper and are said to be tied only by hand! Let’s use mizuhiki to handcraft a gift for Respect-for-the-Aged Day.
It’s a great material for expressing gratitude to seniors.
There are many ways to tie mizuhiki, but since we’re celebrating longevity, let’s make a message card with a turtle motif! You’ll make the turtle’s head and shell separately and join them at the end.
It may be a bit challenging for beginners until you get used to handling mizuhiki.
Besides the turtle, try adding ume (plum) knots or awaji knots to create a more luxurious message card!
Message bookmarks
A handmade bookmark using a transparent sheet—the fact that it’s transparent makes the message you add easy to see, which is a key point.
Cut the sheet into the shape you want, then freely write a message of thanks or anything else on it.
Since it’s used between the pages of a book, it’s important to make it a size and shape that’s convenient in that situation.
You can punch a hole to thread a string, or add lively decorations to make reading more enjoyable.
While thinking about the person you’ll give it to, finish it with your own unique design.
Parent-and-child turtle hanging ornament
This mascot combines tsumami-zaiku elements on a base, evoking the charm of a baby turtle riding on a parent turtle’s back.
Using a halved foam ball as the foundation, shell parts are layered with fabric, and tsumami-zaiku faces and limbs are attached to create striking three-dimensionality.
It’s recommended not only to vary the sizes of the parent and baby turtles but also to change the colors; finishing them in a colorful palette enhances their auspicious feel.
Express your originality by exploring how to combine different colors.
Respect-for-the-Aged Day: Give from the heart! A collection of handmade gift ideas that will delight (11–20)
Lily of the valley corsage
A corsage is an accessory worn on clothing for celebrations and festive occasions, typically a floral ornament attached to women’s dresses or outfits.
It might be nice to attend a special day wearing a corsage you made yourself.
Older adults may feel a special sense of joy, too.
Here’s an idea for a lily-of-the-valley corsage made from felt without sewing.
You’ll roll the felt to create the lily-of-the-valley.
As you make this charming piece, it may lift the spirits of older adults and spark lively conversation with those around them.
It also looks lovely when arranged on a hat or attached to a bag.
Respect for the Aged Day card written in brush calligraphy
Let’s prepare the perfect cards for Respect-for-the-Aged Day to express our daily gratitude and how much we love them.
If you place a personalized message card at each seat where seniors will sit at the celebration, they’re sure to be delighted! The idea we’re introducing this time uses brush lettering, but feel free to enjoy the decorations however you like.
You can aim for careful, beautiful handwriting, or boldly stylize the kanji and combine them with illustrations—that would be lovely, too.
Add colors and drawings to create bright, beautiful cards.
Straw-craft style turtle ornament
Crafts made with origami or construction paper are lovely, but decorations made from different materials provide beneficial stimulation for seniors’ fingertips.
This time, let’s use paper cord to create a turtle ornament in the style of straw craft! Cut 16 strands of paper cord in two different lengths, and loosen the twist around the middle.
Gather five strands together and secure them with a rubber band, then start braiding.
Fasten with wire and shape it into a shell.
The key is to create a gentle roundness.
Treat the bundled sections as legs and trim each to the desired length.
Attach the body ornament, head, and tail ornament to finish.
Adding your favorite dried flowers or embellishments for originality makes it especially charming!
Macaron keychain
A macaron keychain with the cozy feel of chirimen fabric and a cute round shape makes a great handmade gift, especially for seniors.
Press a button into chirimen fabric set in a cap, tuck the excess fabric inside, then use a setter tool to neaten it.
Finally, apply glue to firmly secure the parts, thread on a tassel, and it’s done.
The steps aren’t too many and it’s hard to go wrong, so even those not used to crafts can work on it with confidence.
When giving it as a gift, choose easy-to-match colors so it blends into daily life and looks natural on keys or a bag.
In addition to its adorable appearance, the soft feel in the hand is part of its charm, making it a warm gift that conveys the maker’s care.
