Let's celebrate turning 100 with handmade gifts! Introducing colored paper boards and message cards.
A 100th birthday is a major milestone in life.
How about celebrating someone who has walked a long life’s path by giving them a colorful shikishi board or a message card?
On the board or card, you can include congratulatory words and convey your gratitude for all they’ve done.
Here are some ideas for shikishi boards and message cards that are perfect for a 100th birthday celebration.
Even simply writing a message on paper is enough to convey your feelings, but adding a touch of simple crafts—like origami or paper-cut art—can make it even more festive.
We hope you find these suggestions helpful.
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Celebrate turning 100 with handmade gifts! Introducing message boards and cards (21–30)
flower card
Let’s celebrate a birthday with a floral card.
Fold and cut origami paper to create flower shapes.
By changing the fold lines and cutting positions, you can make flowers in different sizes.
Using patterned origami paper makes it look even more beautiful.
Stack three to five origami flowers from largest to smallest, and write a message in the center of the top flower.
As each petal is opened one by one, a heartfelt message is revealed.
Older adults may also feel excited, wondering, “What will appear when I open the petals?” It’s also fun that the mood changes depending on the colors and patterns of the origami you use.
popping cracker
We sometimes set off party poppers for celebrations and events, don’t we? So let’s make a birthday card for an older adult using a party popper as the theme.
Cut origami paper into a triangle to make the popper shape, and place a piece of twine between the origami popper and the card base.
This twine will act as the popper’s string.
Attach a round piece of construction paper to the twine and tuck it inside the origami popper.
When you pull the twine, it will look as if the popper has burst.
The recipient will likely feel excited, wondering, “What will happen when I pull the string?”
Let’s celebrate turning 100 with handmade gifts! Introducing colored paper boards and message cards (31–40)
candy bouquet
A gift that moves the heart! Let’s handcraft a message card for a candy bouquet.
Cut your favorite color construction paper into a circle, then glue a lace paper doily onto it slightly offset.
Make the flowers and leaves out of felt.
It’s easier if you prepare paper templates first.
Attach the flowers and leaves to the top part of the construction paper with the lace doily.
In the center, add a photo or write your message.
Fold the bottom into a triangle to form a bouquet shape, wrap a ribbon around it, and you’re done.
Isn’t it lovely how a bouquet card opens to reveal a message or photo? Give it a try!
Easy balloon card with stickers
Let me introduce a balloon card you can make using round stickers.
You can easily prepare the materials, as stickers are sold at 100-yen shops too.
If you use round stickers with patterns or designs, it will turn out even cuter.
Stick several round stickers on the card, then draw strings with a pen.
On the balloon stickers, write messages like “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations on your birthday.” That’s all it takes to complete a lovely birthday card.
The steps are simple, so it’s also recommended for older adults to make as a card for their family.
Be sure to include a heartfelt message as well.
Candle made with masking tape
Here’s a simple but super cute birthday card with candles.
Prepare a white card and cut five pieces of your favorite washi tape to stick on.
Try mixing wide and narrow tapes, and vary the lengths and angles.
Draw the candle flames with color pens.
I used pink and yellow here, but it would be fun to customize with any colors or colored pencils you like.
Write “Happy Birthday” or a message in the empty space.
Using the video as a reference, try thickening the vertical lines, changing the lettering style, and adding your own personal touches!
Masking tape ideas
A heartfelt handmade birthday card is something that makes anyone happy to receive.
But when it comes time to make one, it can feel difficult and you might not know where to start.
For those people, I recommend this simple birthday card made with washi (masking) tape.
It introduces lots of ideas, like making a frame by outlining with thin tape, twisting tape to create a ribbon, or using twine to craft a garland.
They’re all very easy to make and turn out cute, so they’re easy to try.
Why not give it a go for a loved one’s birthday?
Simple and cute card you can make just by folding
How about a birthday card that reveals a message when you open it? Take a piece of drawing paper or cardstock for the card base, and fold up the lower part so that the upper part remains visible.
With it folded, draw an illustration so that the picture on the top and the folded-up section connect seamlessly.
Write your message on the section that opens, and add color with colored pencils, etc.
When opened, the message appears—your “cute hidden birthday card” is complete.
Try adding your own touch with adorable illustrations of a bear, cat, rabbit, and more.
Fill any empty spaces with flowers or hearts to create an even livelier card.