[For Seniors] Recommended for Christmas Crafts! Simple Handmade Project Ideas
Christmas is one of the major events held in December, isn’t it?
Care facilities and day service centers often decorate their interiors to create a festive Christmas atmosphere, don’t they?
Among older adults, some may feel excited and cheerful when spending time in rooms adorned with Christmas decorations.
With that in mind, this time we’re introducing decoration ideas that can help older adults feel happy and uplifted.
We’ve gathered many ideas that have simple steps and are easy to prepare.
You can also enjoy making them together with older adults and start the fun from the preparations for the Christmas party.
Please use this article as a reference.
- For seniors: Decorate the December wall with a tree. Easy ideas using origami and yarn.
- [For Seniors] Lovely Christmas Crafts: Easy Ideas Using Recycled Materials and 100-Yen Shop Supplies
- For seniors: Introducing handmade decoration ideas to welcome a wonderful Christmas
- [For Seniors] Recommended for Christmas! Handmade Hanging Ornament Ideas
- [For Seniors] Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas That Feel Warm and Heartfelt
- [For Seniors] Try Making a Handmade Christmas Wreath! A Collection of Ideas Using Everyday Materials
- [For Seniors] Wall decorations to fully enjoy the seasonal atmosphere: Fun Christmas decoration ideas
- Handmade Gifts: Ideas That Will Delight Older Adults
- [Care Facilities] Popular Christmas Decorations: Handmade Ideas to Brighten Up Indoor Spaces
- [For Seniors] Perfect for winter events! Easy craft ideas
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple, Recommended Crafts
- [For Seniors] Ideas for Winter Wall Decorations and Hanging Ornaments: Introducing Projects That Are Easy to Try
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
[For Seniors] Recommended Christmas Crafts! Easy Handmade Project Ideas (71–80)
No-sew clasp pouch
Introducing a clasp pouch you can make without sewing.
Projects stitched with a sewing machine or needle can be fun for those who are skilled at or enjoy handicrafts.
For those who aren’t confident in sewing, we also recommend projects that use fabric glue for bonding.
Cut the fabric according to the pattern and adhere the pieces with glue.
Use an iron’s heat to set the adhesive.
Attach the metal clasp with craft glue.
It’s simple to make yet looks intricately crafted, and it’s likely to be appreciated by older adults as well.
mini bag
If you can make a lovely piece yourself, seeing the finished product will make you feel happy, won’t it? However, when it comes to lovely creations, the methods often end up being complicated, the materials many, and the costs high.
The project we’re introducing this time can be made with just a single sheet of faux leather.
It’s a mini bag made from faux leather, and there’s no sewing with needles or a sewing machine involved.
You can even find faux leather at 100-yen shops, so it’s affordable to make.
Simply cut it according to the pattern and assemble it.
Once it’s finished, add your favorite ribbon or a decorative plate.
It seems like older adults, too, can easily make this lovely mini bag and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from saying, “I made it myself.”
A scarf on a plate stand
You can knit using a rod-style stand for holding plates upright.
Wrap the yarn around the rods on the plate stand in order.
Place the yarn over the wrapped yarn, then hook the lower yarn over it.
By repeating this, you can make a scarf.
There’s a similar method in finger knitting, so some older adults may have made one with their fingers before.
Plate stands and yarn are available at 100-yen shops, so it’s easy to get started.
Since you use your fingers a lot, it may also have brain-training benefits.
Easy fluffy mittens
Let’s make simple gloves using yarn.
Many yarn crafts involve knitting needles or crochet hooks, right? Some older adults may feel, “I’m not good at knitting.” Knitting often includes complicated methods.
However, here’s a way to make knitted gloves using just cardboard and wooden sticks like ice cream sticks.
Place your hand on the cardboard and draw an outline about one size larger.
After cutting out the outline, make slits at 1-centimeter intervals along the cut edge.
Wrap yarn around all the slits in the cardboard, then attach yarn to a wooden stick and start weaving.
The key is to pack the woven sections tightly together.
Once you’ve finished weaving, tie off the end of the yarn, remove it from the cardboard, and you’re done.
This easy method for making hand-knit gloves seems like something older adults can enjoy as well.
Flower keychain
Introducing an original flower keychain you can make with materials from a 100-yen shop.
Prepare keychain hardware.
Imagine the flower you want to create and choose three types of cord you like.
Tie the base cord to the keychain hardware, then weave in cords of different colors.
The key is to work slowly so the strands don’t bunch up.
Once you reach a sufficient length, tie it with paper cord to prevent unraveling, and secure it with glue.
Trim any excess cord and you’re done.
You can change the flower design with the seasons, so you can enjoy making them all year round.
Give it a try!
A friendship bracelet made of cardboard
Here’s how to make a friendship bracelet using cardboard and yarn.
Prepare a piece of cardboard and mark it using a compass and a ruler.
Cut slits along the marks.
Once you have your yarn ready, weave it through the slits as you braid.
When it reaches the desired length, remove it from the cardboard, tie it off, and trim any excess yarn to finish.
Because you use cardboard, it avoids excessive strain and lets you work your fingertips moderately, making it safe and comfortable for older adults as well.
It’s also said that the colors of friendship bracelets carry meanings.
Why not make one as a gift for someone special?
Snowman made from Yakult containers
Lined up in different colors, they look adorable! Here’s an idea for making snowmen out of empty lactic acid drink containers.
These simple and cute handmade decorations are perfect for the snowy season and can be enjoyed by older adults as well.
Attach materials to the empty containers, draw the snowmen’s faces and hats, and decorate them with ribbons or felt.
The handiwork engages fine motor skills, which can help stimulate the brain and foster concentration.
The snowmen you make will brighten up any indoor space.