[For Seniors] Fun Crafts Recommended for December
December brings fun events and major occasions like Christmas and New Year’s.
Let’s help older adults feel the season with crafts that capture the spirit of December! We’ve gathered many projects that are easy to prepare and simple to make, using recycled materials and items from 100-yen shops.
Moving the fingers during crafting can also have brain-training benefits.
You can display the finished pieces, or take them home to use if they’re practical items.
Enjoy a wonderful time with crafts that are perfect for wrapping up the year.
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[For Seniors] Fun Crafts Recommended for December (41–50)
star
When you think of Christmas, you probably imagine nighttime parties and stars shining in the night sky.
How about using the classic star mascot—also a staple decoration for Christmas trees—as a decoration for your calendar? The process involves combining pieces of origami to form a star shape, and the key is to make firm creases and use them as guides as you go.
The size of the star will change depending on the size of the origami pieces you combine, so adjust it to suit your calendar.
[For Seniors] Fun Crafts Recommended in December (51–60)
Star-shaped Santa Claus
Both stars and Santa Claus are essential for Christmas—let’s brighten the season with an adorable mascot that combines the two.
The idea is to use red origami to evoke Santa’s outfit and shape it into a star to create the mascot.
Another key point is forming it into a three-dimensional shape using the creases as guides; the rounded volume enhances its cuteness.
How you draw the face is also an important point where you can add your own originality.
Mickey Santa
Let’s have fun decorating for Christmas with a Mickey Mouse mascot dressed like Santa Claus.
The base is made from red origami paper, folded into a triangle to create the hat and outfit.
You’ll then decorate the folded sections and edges to complete the Mickey Mouse look.
Adding the scarf piece is also an important step, as it enhances the overall softness and three-dimensional feel.
Since the overall color is red, it’s recommended to use accent colors that make the red stand out even more in your decorations.
Patchwork Fleece Using Fabric Scraps
Let’s make a puff wreath that can be sewn by hand.
Prepare nine pieces of fabric measuring 10 cm by 20 cm, stuffing, and a ribbon.
First, fold each of the nine pieces of fabric in half with right sides together and sew them into tubes.
Rotate the fabric so the seam is centered and press the seam allowances open.
On one tube, roughly run a gathering stitch along the top edge to make a pouch; turn the fabric right side out, then nest it inside the second tube with right sides together and stuff it with filling.
Align the top edges of the first and second tubes carefully, then roughly run a gathering stitch to close them.
Repeat this process to form a wreath shape, and finish by decorating with a ribbon.
Christmas tree wall decoration made with origami
Let’s decorate your walls with a must-have Christmas item—a tree—to build excitement for the season.
The key is to layer pieces cut from three sheets of origami paper to clearly convey the tree’s three-dimensional feel.
Fold the origami into a triangular screen shape, trim the edges, and attach the pieces while keeping the stepped layers in mind.
Adding wooden pieces and ornaments helps make it unmistakably a Christmas tree.
You can use a single tree as a decorative accent, or line several up to create a large tree—there are many ways to use this idea.
Christmas ornament
Here are some ideas for making Christmas ornaments using popsicle sticks, an everyday material.
Line up the sticks on a sheet of paper, glue them down, and paint them to create a cute snowman.
A hat made from the sticks adds a fun accent and gives the piece character.
Change the lengths of the sticks and it transforms into a tree.
Decorate it with stickers and ribbons for a festive touch.
You can also fix the sticks together at their tips to form a star shape—the possibilities are endless.
Since you’re upcycling materials, it’s eco-friendly, and it stimulates fine motor skills and creativity while giving you the joy of displaying your finished work at home.
Making them with family or friends will make the Christmas atmosphere even more exciting.
Christmas bell
One of the major events in December is Christmas.
Aren’t the streets and interiors adorned with luxurious and festive Christmas decorations? Christmas bells are an essential item for holiday decor.
Try making Christmas bells out of origami or construction paper and create a calendar.
If you add items like a Christmas wreath or a Christmas tree to the calendar as well, you’ll have a calendar perfect for December.
Besides a calendar, handmade Christmas bells also look lovely displayed on the wall.
