[Respect for the Aged Day] Handmade gifts that will be appreciated: A curated selection of simple ideas

Book cover

DIY Easy Book Cover Tutorial (Paperback/Small Format)

A great gift for a dad who loves reading is a book cover! Even avid readers don’t often buy book covers for themselves, so a handmade one will surely make them happy.

If you’re making it with fabric, creating a pattern first is useful.

Cut your preferred fabric according to the pattern, fuse it to interfacing with an iron, fold the edges in slightly, and sew them with a machine.

Then, fold both ends to fit the size of the book, sew the top and bottom together with the lining fabric, turn it right side out, and you’re done! Choose a fabric pattern that matches your dad’s style.

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miyabi

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A turtle message card made with mizuhiki

Respect-for-the-Aged Day message card made with a simple Mizuhiki turtle

This is a perfect message card for Respect for the Aged Day, combining a turtle—known as a symbol of longevity—with mizuhiki, an essential element for celebrations.

Make the turtle’s shell using a turtle knot and the head with an awaji-dama knot, then join the two and use the remaining mizuhiki to form the turtle’s legs.

Once the turtle shape is complete, attach it to a card covered with washi or Japanese-patterned origami, and it’s done.

Mizuhiki may look difficult at first, but once you learn the basic knots, you can adapt them into many different shapes.

Why not give it a try to wish your grandparents good health and long life?

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yuri

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flower box

[For Mother’s Day gifts] How to make a handmade flower box: a DIY using faux flowers from 100-yen shops.

For grandparents who love flowers, try making and gifting a flower box.

Even though it’s called a flower box, it doesn’t use fresh flowers—since it uses artificial ones, you don’t have to worry about them wilting, and they can be enjoyed in their beautiful state for a long time.

These days, artificial flowers from 100-yen shops are very pretty and come in a wide variety.

Cut off the stems and calyxes of the artificial flowers, then attach them to a box with a hot glue gun, arranging them with good balance.

Be sure to research your grandparents’ preferences—such as the box color and flower types—and create it to suit their tastes.

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utatane

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Yarn Swirl! Photo Frame

[Easy Craft] Wind Yarn Round and Round! Simple Handmade Photo Frame [Gift]

For Respect-for-the-Aged Day, how about a photo frame made with yarn that even kids can easily craft? A warm, seasonal gift is sure to delight Grandma and Grandpa! It’s very simple: just cut cardboard to make a frame and wrap yarn around and around it.

A single color of yarn works fine, but using several colors makes it more festive! Add buttons, sparkly beads, or seasonal items like acorns to elevate the frame.

Besides photos, message cards or drawings are great to put inside, too!

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miyabi

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coaster

[How to Use Fabric Scraps] How to Make Coasters

How about making handmade coasters as a gift for Respect for the Aged Day? If you use felt, you can cut it into any shape you like—circles, squares, and more—and simply combine it with another piece of felt to create stylish coasters.

You don’t need a sewing machine; a glue gun or fabric glue will let you attach pieces easily, so it’s a great project to do with children.

You can mix different colors of felt for a colorful finish or keep the palette limited for a chic look—the possibilities are endless.

If you tailor the design to your grandpa’s or grandma’s tastes, they’re sure to be delighted.

Share your appreciation with a heartfelt, handmade gift!