Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Filled with wishes: Handmade ema plaque ideas using a variety of materials

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

Ema plaques made with heartfelt wishes for the New Year are a comforting seasonal activity.

There are many ways to make them—from simple versions using origami or construction paper, to creative crafts using items like coffee filters or interlocking foam mats, and even clever designs that double as small gift envelopes.

As you work with your hands and add motifs of the zodiac or lucky charms, conversation flows naturally and smiles appear.

Why not enjoy making a one-of-a-kind, original ema while sharing your resolutions for the year?

[For Older Adults] With Wishes in Mind: Handmade Ema Ideas Using Various Materials (11–20)

Hanging ema (votive plaques)

@chooobo2
Hanging ema (votive plaque) crafting 🎍#Childcare Crafting #Nursery School Craft # January production New Year’s craft #Ema Production
♬ WOW – IVE

This is a fun ema (votive plaque) craft using aluminum foil.

Draw lines on the foil with water-based markers and mist it with a spray bottle.

The key is to draw lines in various colors with the markers.

Then place a piece of drawing paper cut into an ema shape onto the foil with the drawn lines.

The colors from the foil will transfer to the paper, creating a gradient-like effect.

Finish by attaching zodiac animals made from paper or New Year-themed illustrations.

This slightly unusual way of making an ema is likely to interest older adults as well.

How about hanging them on strings with origami fans and plum blossom decorations, and displaying them indoors?

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Coffee filter idea ema (votive plaque)

[Origami] New Year’s craft with a former preschool teacher mom: Making Ema plaques — Easy way to fold a tiger (Origami tiger tutorial)

Coffee filter idea ema (votive plaque)

When you think of ema, the five-sided shape tends to come to mind, but there are also designs inspired by auspicious motifs like fans.

Here’s an idea for an ema that evokes a fan-shaped design, using a coffee filter.

The base is made with a simple step of trimming the edge of a coffee filter, and then you add decorations such as the zodiac animals.

Although the base is soft and thin, layering the decorations firmly is the key to achieving a beautiful finish.

Think about balance as you arrange the decorations and decide where to write your wish.

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Ema plaques with Japanese-style origami

[Easy] How to Make a Japanese-Style Ema Plaque [100-Yen Origami] New Year’s Decoration, Wall Decor — with Voice Commentary!

Ema plaques with Japanese-style origami

Let’s try making an ema (a traditional wooden wishing plaque) using Japanese-style origami.

The washi-pattern origami and backing paper used in this video were reportedly purchased at a 100-yen shop.

Follow along with the video as you fold.

You’ll divide a single sheet of origami into two parts: one for the ema and one for the string.

Once you’ve cut out the ema shape, glue it onto construction paper.

The color of the construction paper changes the overall impression, so it’s a great way to show your personality.

If you stick a plain piece of paper in the center, the base is complete.

Make the string and a knot, decorate with your favorite stickers, and you’re done! Write your wish to get into the New Year spirit.

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Fluffy chenille wish plaque (ema)

Gen Hoshino says “Let’s dance at home,” and we say “Let’s make it at home♪ Let’s make ema♪ Let’s make them as a family.” (This is a how-to video from Kanone Junior High on making handmade ema craft plaques.)

Fluffy chenille wish plaque (ema)

It’s an ema plaque with a three-dimensional look, as if the area outside the written wish is framed by a softly wrapped chenille stem.

Cut the panel into the shape of an ema, then make an inner slit and hollow it out.

Wrap the chenille stem around the outer frame, punch a hole at the top of the inner section, attach construction paper over the whole piece, and thread the chenille through the inner hole and tie it to set everything in place—then it’s complete.

Have everyone write their individual wishes on the inner construction paper.

With the frame thoroughly decorated, the wishes written inside are nicely emphasized.

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Japanese modern ema

[How to Make] Sola Mini Japanese Ornament Kit: “Ema”

Japanese modern ema

We’re introducing a chic, Japanese-style decoration kit that uses flowers, tassels, cords, and more.

You can of course purchase this kit, but you can also enjoy making your own original ema plaques by arranging your favorite flowers and decorations while following the video.

Punching flower-shaped holes with a craft punch, like in the video, is super cute, too.

You can find craft punches at 100-yen shops, so be sure to look for them! Using lace-like paper or Japanese-patterned origami will make it look very festive.

We hope you’ll make good use of this for craft recreation activities at senior care facilities!

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Ema Pocket

[Origami New Year] How to Fold an Ema Pocket / How To Make an Origami Ema Pocket

Ema Pocket

Let’s fold cute daruma and zodiac animals and enjoy making ema (votive plaques).

This ema turns into a pocket when you remove the string part, so you can put in small candies or a note and give it as a gift.

Prepare brown or wood-patterned origami paper and follow the folding steps.

For the holes to thread the string, a hole punch from a 100-yen shop makes it easy.

The ema itself is very simple, so feel free to have fun customizing it by folding zodiac animals out of origami or drawing illustrations.

Since it has a pocket, it’s perfect for slipping in a little gift for your grandchildren—they’ll love it! Be sure to try making it together with older adults.

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[For Seniors] Filled with wishes: Handmade ema plaque ideas using a variety of materials (21–30)

Ema made from an envelope

Cute origami decorations for an easy envelope-made Ema (with audio commentary) — How to make paper decorations for a Japanese Ema

Ema made from an envelope

Let me show you an idea for making an ema (votive plaque) using a brown envelope.

First, place the envelope with the back side facing up, and fold the left corner of the flap toward the center line.

When you do this, make sure to fold it neatly so that the right corner comes to a sharp point.

Next, open the folded section and cut off the left corner along the crease.

Then, fold along the cut line twice, each fold 2 cm wide, and cut off the left side of the remaining envelope to the same width.

Also cut off the glued margin along the bottom, then unfold the parts you folded.

Cut along the crease on the left side where the envelope is still connected and open it up, then shape it into an ema by aligning it with the crease on the flap side.

Decorate it with flowers or Mt.

Fuji made from origami, and your ema decoration is complete! You can also have people write their wishes on it.

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