[Christmas & New Year] Craft Ideas for Day Services in December
December is a month when you can feel the Christmas atmosphere, including through decorations at day-service centers.
Christmas, New Year’s, and other major events come one after another.
In Japan, December is written as “Shiwasu,” reflecting how bustling this time of year can be.
Older adults may also be sensing the arrival of December.
So this time, we’re introducing craft ideas for day-service centers that are perfect for December.
We’ve assembled a wide variety of projects—decorations to brighten up Christmas, pieces that boost the festive mood, and New Year’s items, too!
They’re great to make and display in your own room, and would surely delight family members as gifts.
Enjoy a wonderful December with heartfelt, handmade items!
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- [For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities
- Take-Home Craft Ideas for Winter: Perfect for Day Services for Seniors
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[Christmas / New Year] Craft ideas for day-service programs in December (91–100)
star
Although stars themselves don’t have seasons, they’re one of the objects we often see during the Christmas season.
It would be fun to make stars from various materials to liven up Christmas.
Origami stars are the easiest, and there are even origami stars that can stand upright.
Painting star illustrations on small stones also sounds enjoyable.
Using fluorescent paint might create an even better atmosphere.
A giant star made out of cardboard becomes an eye-catching symbol.
By observing familiar stars—like those that appear in Super Mario or Disney—you might come up with unexpected ideas.
Easy to make! Drawstring pouch with lining
This is a lined drawstring bag that’s easy to make because you don’t need to finish the raw edges.
Why not try making a Christmas-themed gift using different fabrics for the outer and lining? After pressing a crease into the outer fabric with an iron, place it together with the lining and sew the left and right sides with a sewing machine.
Press the seam allowances open with an iron, realign the fabrics, then sew while leaving an opening for turning and an opening for the drawstring casing.
Trim the corners, close the turning opening, and insert the lining inside.
Shift the outer fabric slightly toward the lining side, press the fold with an iron, sew the drawstring casing, thread the cord through, and you’re done.
Milk carton accessory case
A simple trinket box you can make from an empty milk carton.
It makes a nice Christmas gift for seniors, and it’s also great as a seasonal recreation activity.
Paste wrapping paper on both the outside and inside of the carton, then cut off any excess.
Make slits along the lines you drew on the inside, crease the folds, and glue the pieces together from the inside in order.
Finally, decorate the edges with lace to finish.
Try using Christmas-themed wrapping paper, lace, and ribbons.
3D Christmas candle
This is a three-dimensional candle motif assembled from origami.
Use an accordion-folded piece of origami as the base, then place a white sheet with the same accordion folds over it.
Next, fold in the diagonal creases you made on the top sheet, attach the flame piece there, and it’s complete.
Its simple appearance makes it easy to add decorations, and your choice of colors can really show your personality.
It might also be fun to connect several pieces of origami to make a large candle.
Three-dimensional Christmas tree
Introducing a Christmas tree you can make with five sheets of origami! It has a voluminous, three-dimensional finish.
We recommend combining dark and light green like fir needles, and using washi paper as well.
The key to the folding method is to make crisp, firm creases.
Once you’ve made all five pieces, align the corners and glue them securely for stability.
Combine the trunk pieces, and it’s complete! Finally, add beads or any decorations you like to make it more festive.
Display this tree and let’s boost the Christmas spirit!
Simple Santa Claus
This is a cute Santa Claus you can make with a single sheet of origami paper.
First, with the white side facing up, fold it into a triangle vertically and horizontally, then unfold.
Fold the top corner toward the center, then fold the tip upward.
Next, fold the bottom corner up toward the top crease, and fold it halfway back down.
Turn it over, fold back the top right and top left corners by about 1 cm, then fold the top right and top left down toward the center.
Adjust and fold the right and left sides once more, and your Santa Claus is complete.
The final adjustment step involves a bit of fine work, but carefully folding together makes for good exercise for your hands and fingers!
A pocket tissue cover sewn in two steps
A handmade pocket tissue cover that can be finished with just two seams.
You can use any fabric you like, making it a perfect idea for Christmas-themed gifts featuring Santa, reindeer, and more.
Draw guide lines on the wrong side of the prepared fabric with a chalk pen, then press mountain and valley folds with an iron.
Next, starting from the third crease from the left, fold in order toward the second crease from the right.
Fold the rightmost crease and tuck it inside, then fold along the second crease from the left.
After folding along the leftmost crease, sew along the lines you drew with the chalk pen.
Backstitch, trim the excess, turn it right side out, and you’re done.