[For Seniors] Filled with wishes: Handmade ema plaque ideas using a variety of materials
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?
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[For Seniors] Filled with wishes: Handmade ema plaque ideas using a variety of materials (21–30)
Daruma dolls and ema votive plaques
Speaking of daruma, because they always get back up no matter how many times they fall, they’re considered lucky symbols of “fall seven times, get up eight,” and you often see them as motifs during the New Year.
Here’s an idea to make daruma and ema plaques out of origami! The ema is very simple—you only need a few folds to complete it.
The pine and daruma are also easy to fold, so this is recommended as a craft activity for seniors.
The fine motor work of folding origami helps rehabilitate the fingers and stimulates the brain, making it great for dementia prevention.
Be sure to check out the video and try creating your own original ema!
Stamp and pastel ema (votive plaques)
Let’s enjoy a craft activity using a stencil cut into the shape of an ema plaque.
In this project, you turn pastels into powder and rub them on so that the stamped images gradually appear.
For that reason, prepare a white ink pad.
Once the stencil is ready, decide where to place the stamps and start stamping.
After stamping, let it dry thoroughly, then color it using pastel powder.
It’s fun to watch the stamped designs emerge as you work.
Since you can color by gently rubbing with your hand, it’s an easy, enjoyable activity for older adults as well.
This example uses a tiger stamp, but try using the zodiac animal stamp for the corresponding year.
[For Seniors] Make a wish. Handmade ema (votive plaques) ideas using various materials (31–40)
stamp ema (wooden votive plaque with stamps)
Let’s try making handmade ema stamp prints! In fact, you can easily make DIY stamps with just an eraser and a craft knife.
Draw the illustration you want to turn into a stamp on paper, then carve it in its reversed form.
Using tracing paper to transfer the design makes carving simple, so it’s highly recommended.
For safety, staff can prepare the eraser stamps in advance, and then ask seniors to do the stamping and write their wishes—this way they can enjoy the activity safely and comfortably.
Carving may feel difficult at first, but as you continue, it becomes fun.
The greatest appeal of eraser stamps is that you can create stamps with any images you like!
Snake ema (votive plaque)
Let’s make an ema plaque featuring the Chinese zodiac! This video shows how to create an ema with a snake zodiac motif.
You’ll need A4 copier paper, construction paper, scissors, and a pencil.
Use the A4 copier paper as a template.
After making the template based on the video, trace it onto the construction paper and cut out the parts.
Once you’ve glued the pieces together, you’re done.
Using pastel-toned construction paper like in the video makes it look cute, so it’s recommended.
You can also have fun customizing it by changing the ribbon motif or using patterned origami paper.
It’s very simple, making it perfect for seniors to create.
Ema wall for the Year of the Snake
Let’s decorate the walls of senior care facilities with the zodiac and ema plaques for a festive touch! This video introduces a wall display featuring the Year of the Snake and ema.
The snake is represented with a chain garland made from origami, and it’s surrounded by many lucky motifs such as ema plaques, gourds, pine, and sea bream.
The chain garland is very easy and simple to make, so it’s perfect for seniors to create.
If you decorate an entire wall with a large snake and hang ema plaques with each person’s wishes, it will surely become an eye-catching wall display.
Be sure to use this article as a reference and give it a try!
An ema of Mount Fuji made with origami
This is an ema plaque made by layering origami, with a large Mount Fuji placed prominently in the center.
Not only the base and Mount Fuji, but also the surrounding decorative parts are made separately and layered to create a sense of depth.
The base is finished as a pentagon by folding the edges inward; by stacking these folds firmly, you can achieve a soft look.
Mount Fuji is created from a triangular base with the edges folded back, and the key point is that the white on the reverse side is used.
Other typical decorations include pine and the first sunrise of the year, and it could be fun not only to attach paper parts but also to add drawn illustrations.
Cute ema made with finger stamps
This activity involves pasting a large illustration of the zodiac in the center of construction paper cut into the shape of an ema plaque, then decorating around it with paint.
By applying the paint with your fingers, you can add softness and a sense of depth.
Consider how to arrange auspicious, New Year–themed elements and decorate your ema with your own design.
Since the unique feel comes from not using a brush, if you’re uncomfortable getting paint on your fingers, try using familiar tools instead.
It’s also fun to observe how the paint looks different depending on the method you use.