[Respect for the Aged Day] With heartfelt gratitude: Handmade gift ideas that will delight residents in senior care facilities
You want to add a handmade touch to your Respect for the Aged Day gifts, don’t you? Thoughtful presents made in a care facility can become special gifts that bring smiles to seniors’ faces.
This time, we’re introducing handmade gift ideas that are easy to incorporate in senior facilities and can be made using scrap materials or items from 100-yen shops.
From practical items like pouches and coasters made with fabric remnants, or memo stands made with chenille stems (pipe cleaners) shaped into flowers, to heartfelt message cards that are perfect for conveying your feelings—we’ve got plenty of lovely ideas.
Imagine the smiles of the seniors as you take on the challenge of making something by hand!
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Respect for the Aged Day: With heartfelt gratitude. Handmade gift ideas that will delight residents in senior care facilities (61–70)
Made from scrap fabric! Easy owl
If you have some leftover fabric, why not make an easy little owl as a gift for Respect for the Aged Day? If you prepare a pattern, you can even make them in batches—highly recommended! Just cut the fabric according to the pattern, sew it together, stuff it with filling, stitch the bottom closed, and finally attach the eyes—done! The expression changes depending on how you sew and stuff it, so each owl turns out one-of-a-kind, which is part of the charm.
You can also switch up the fabric patterns and colors or turn them into brooches—so cute.
The steps are simple enough for kids, too, so it would make a lovely gift for Grandma and Grandpa.
Origami crane wreath
Cranes are also famous as symbols of longevity.
How about making a crane-themed wreath for Respect-for-the-Aged Day? You can assemble folded paper cranes like a puzzle to form a wreath, use a paper plate and attach the cranes to it, draw pictures of cranes—the methods are endless.
Try swapping them with friends or displaying them at Respect-for-the-Aged Day events.
Using origami with traditional Japanese patterns will give your wreath an even more stylish finish!
A Thank-You Letter for Respect for the Aged Day
The third Monday of September is Respect for the Aged Day.
It’s a day for families to say thank you to grandparents, but why not take this opportunity to write a letter of appreciation to someone who helps you in your daily life? From facility staff to residents, and from residents to their loved ones—anyone would be happy to receive a letter of thanks.
You could draw a September-themed illustration and make it into a picture postcard, or handcraft a pop-up flower message card.
Be sure to share your words of appreciation.
bouquet
This colorful and cute bouquet motif is easy to use as a decorative element.
Make the flowers and the wrapping paper in different colors to create a sense of depth through contrast and layering.
Trimming each part with scissors is also an important step, and it’s a great idea to use the offcuts to decorate the flowers or the wrapping paper.
Not only should you choose your colors carefully, but also make good use of both sides of the origami paper to create a vibrant bouquet.
It could also be fun to design it so the wrapping opens up and can be used as a message card.
Charm for longevity
We’d like to introduce a “Longevity Amulet” as the perfect gift! Amulets have long been considered lucky charms for warding off misfortune and inviting good fortune, and it’s said that keeping one close to your body protects you from evil spirits.
Many of you have probably bought or received amulets for various prayers and wishes.
They’re small, cute, and heartfelt items—great for little gifts, too.
While amulets can cost a few hundred yen to buy, you can actually make them by hand using materials from a 100-yen shop! If you use fabric tape with a pretty pattern, there’s no need to sew fabric.
You can also adapt them into strap or keychain types! I think sealing a message inside would be lovely as well.
Crane memo holder
How about a crane memo holder as a gift for someone special? Cranes are considered a symbol of longevity, making them perfect for celebrating elderly loved ones.
We all want the people we care about to stay healthy forever.
Words that are hard to say in everyday life can be gently conveyed by adding a note to the crane memo stand.
Also, the folding method for the crane doesn’t require many intricate steps, so it’s recommended even for those who aren’t confident with origami.
It would likely be a hit if you quietly placed one on the table for Respect for the Aged Day or at a birthday celebration.
Flower arrangements you can make using 100-yen shop items
Flowers are a classic gift for celebrations, not just for Respect for the Aged Day.
If you use artificial flowers for the arrangement, it will last longer and let the recipient feel your congratulations for a long time, too.
Start by securing clay that fits the size of the pot, then insert and arrange the leaves and flowers into it.
Choosing flowers that match the pot’s color and design, and considering how to create a sense of spread, are also key points.
In addition to seasonal plants, it’s nice to incorporate flowers that reflect the person you’re giving the gift to.