[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!
- [For Seniors] Fun Crafts Recommended for December
- For Seniors: Auspicious Handmade Zodiac Ornament Craft Ideas
- [For Seniors] Let’s Make New Year Decorations by Hand! A Collection of Easy Ideas Using Everyday Materials
- [For Seniors] Recommended for day services! Simple and cute small craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Try Making a Handmade Christmas Wreath! A Collection of Ideas Using Everyday Materials
- For seniors: Introducing handmade decoration ideas to welcome a wonderful Christmas
- For seniors: Decorate the December wall with a tree. Easy ideas using origami and yarn.
- Christmas crafts using paper cups
- [For Seniors] Introducing Fun Crafts Made with Plastic Bottle Caps
- Easy way to make Christmas stockings
- [For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities
- Take-Home Craft Ideas for Winter: Perfect for Day Services for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Recommended for Christmas Crafts! Simple Handmade Project Ideas
[Christmas / New Year] Craft ideas for day-service programs in December (91–100)
A kadomatsu made from an empty sweets box
A kadomatsu made by reusing empty snack boxes after you’ve finished the treats.
Let’s create an item that celebrates the New Year’s arrival while evoking a sense of nostalgia.
When making the main body of the kadomatsu, we recommend using a rounded empty box.
After wrapping the box with jute twine, use a hot glue gun and scissors to shape it.
Roll copy paper into a tube, wrap it with tissue paper to create the bamboo, then decorate with flowers made using origami, arrangement wire, and floral tape to finish.
Why not try crafting this traditional item, familiar and beloved among older adults as well?
Christmas ornament
How about making ornaments to hang on your Christmas tree or on the walls of your room? Even small items can create a festive splash of color if you make plenty of them.
They also require fewer materials, and since the finished pieces are small, you can decorate without worrying about space.
Another great point is that with a bit of creativity you can use almost anything—origami paper, cardboard, even toilet paper rolls.
Try searching video sites for “handmade ornaments”! It’s good finger exercise, so it should be a nice brain workout too!
[Christmas, New Year] Craft Ideas for Day Service in December (101–110)
Christmas tree trinket box
This is a small accessory holder that uses a milk carton and is themed like a Christmas tree.
By cutting open the milk carton to create the base and the tree trunk, the whole piece has a unified look.
The process is to leave only the bottom part intact, cut open the rest, then layer a tree-shaped piece of construction paper on top and cut along the shape.
It’s also important to firmly layer and glue the construction paper to neatly hide the milk carton parts.
Pay attention to the decorations as well, and create a tree that reflects your own style.
Christmas tree made from a toilet paper roll
Using toilet paper rolls to make a Christmas tree is a wonderful idea.
It’s very easy: just cut the rolls, wrap them with colored paper you like, and glue them on.
Adding decorations with origami or stickers will bring out each senior’s personality and make lovely creations.
If everyone enjoys making them together and then displays the finished trees, the room will instantly be filled with Christmas spirit! It will surely be a delightful time with lots of smiles from the seniors.
Since it involves fine finger movements, it can also help stimulate the brain.
Please enjoy it in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Felt Christmas wreath
How about making a wreath that’s perfect for Christmas? Braid three strips of felt and shape them into a circle.
Attach a ribbon and a bell, and voilà—so simple! Your Christmas wreath is complete.
Wreaths are usually made with naturally grown vines, but felt is soft and easy to handle.
Plus, the fine finger movements involved in braiding are said to stimulate the brain.
Best of all, once you make several, they’ll liven up your room even more!
Poinsettia Christmas tree
Here’s an idea for making a Christmas tree with poinsettias.
Crumple and open origami or tissue paper, fold it, draw a template, and cut it out with scissors.
Add vein lines by creasing the paper to complete the leaves.
Layer and glue green and red leaves onto a base to create the poinsettias! Since you’ll need lots of leaves, stacking several sheets of paper and cutting them all at once will save time.
Finally, create the tree framework on the wall and attach the poinsettias you made—your tree is complete! It looks festive and is likely to be appreciated by older adults as well.
Pochi-bukuro (small decorative envelope for gifting money)
Many people will probably spend New Year’s with their families.
And if you have grandchildren, you’ll likely be giving them otoshidama (New Year’s money).
That’s why I’d like to suggest making your own pochibukuro (gift envelopes).
Store-bought pochibukuro usually open at the top, but this one has an opening on the side.
The unique design can be a great conversation starter.
It’s also nice that you can choose patterns to suit your grandchild’s tastes.
While traditional Japanese patterns are the standard for pochibukuro, Western-style designs or ones featuring characters are also recommended.
