Lovely senior life

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

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

Last updated:2025/12/11

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 Seniors] Filled with Wishes: Handmade Ema (Votive Plaque) Ideas Using Various Materials (1–10)

origami: horse ema (votive plaque)

[Origami Original] Ema Charm Edition — Horse, Year of the Horse, 2026, origami, New Year’s card, the Twelve Zodiac Animals, single sheet, horse

origami: horse ema (votive plaque)

Here’s an idea for making an ema (votive plaque) from a single sheet of origami paper.

The creasing step is important for this one: you’ll cut along those crease lines with scissors and keep folding from there.

The steps for folding the horse are quite detailed, so having some tools on hand might help.

Also, if you use 15 cm origami paper, the finished piece will be quite small, so we recommend using a larger sheet.

Write your wish on the white part of the ema and hang it up with a string.

Use brown-toned origami paper for this project.

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Origami; first sunrise of the year; ema (wooden votive plaque)

In that year’s first sunrise, you can really feel the energy and power, can’t you? Some people may also imbue it with wishes like “I’m going to do my best this year” or “May it be a good year.” A votive plaque adorned with such a divine-looking first sunrise makes a perfect good-luck charm.

If you attach an origami Mount Fuji alongside the origami first sunrise, it will look even more like a New Year’s ema.

Since Mount Fuji looks light blue or blue from a distance, choosing origami in those colors might be a good idea.

If you fold it using the white back side of the origami paper, you can also create the effect of snow atop Mount Fuji.

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Three-dimensional Hamaya arrow and Ema plaque made with origami

Hamaya arrows and ema plaques: Introducing a 3D origami crafting method! How about decorating for January in winter with handmade New Year ornaments? [Tsukuru Mon]

Three-dimensional Hamaya arrow and Ema plaque made with origami

Some seniors may also purchase a ceremonial arrow (hamaya) and ema plaques during their first shrine visit of the New Year, right? These are perfect for the New Year, but some older adults may find it difficult to go out.

You can make one by rolling a rectangular piece of origami into a tube, attaching feathers, and decorating it with gold origami—then it’s done.

You could also substitute a paper straw to make it.

Attach an ema made from folded origami to the hamaya to complete it.

Since most of the folds are simple, it should be easy for seniors to make.

Give this good-luck craft a try and make it by hand!

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Mini ema plaques made from interlocking foam mats

@konoiku0
Joint mats are so handy ( ¨̮ ) ॰*… ■ Items used • Joint mats (thickness that can be cut with scissors) • Extra-strong double-sided tape for fabric • Yarn • Felt • Pipe cleaners • Permanent marker • Scissors • Awl ░░░░░ Credits ░░░░░ 🔶 Materials used VOICEVOX: White CUL (voice) ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ✰⋆｡:ﾟ･*☽:ﾟ･⋆｡✰⋆｡:ﾟ｡✰⋆｡:ﾟ･*☽ “We want to offer the joy of making and new discoveries.” In that process, we hope to draw out creativity and create a space where we can grow together. By using our hands and shaping ideas, we’d be happy to help add color to everyday life ( ¨̮ ) ✰⋆｡:ﾟ･*☽:ﾟ･⋆｡✰⋆｡:ﾟ｡✰⋆｡:ﾟ･*☽I like making things.Ema (wooden votive plaque)#diy
Parade – Sharou

Let’s make an ema (votive plaque) by hand using interlocking foam mats you can buy at 100-yen shops.

First, cut the foam mat into the shape of an ema.

Next, wrap yarn around your fingers to make several loops, slide them off your fingers, and tie the center with another piece of yarn.

Use double-sided tape to attach the knot to the ema, then cut through the looped parts with scissors.

Trim the yarn to even out the length, then use felt pieces to add the face and patterns to create a daruma.

Punch a hole at the top of the ema, thread a twisted red-and-white chenille stem (pipe cleaner) through it, and you’re done.

Write your wish on the back and display it.

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An ema of Mount Fuji made with drawing paper

@minuxu
I’m Min, a former nursery school teacher♪ This is a set of 10 Ema (votive tablet) craft kits! - 10 pieces each of: Ema (ochre, brown), Mt. Fuji (light blue, white), and rabbits- Flowers: 20 pieces total (2 per person)- Finished size: A4 landscape- Instant purchase OK☆Write your goals for 2023 and display them♪It’s currently listed as 10 sets, but the quantity can be adjusted as needed—feel free to consult me (^^)How to order a custom quantity:1) Let me know your desired quantity in the comments.2) I’ll edit this item into a dedicated page (add text to images, adjust price).3) Please confirm the details and complete your purchase.Pricing:10 sets ¥69915 sets ¥99920 sets ¥1,29925 sets ¥1,59930 sets ¥1,89935 sets ¥2,19940 sets ¥2,499For protection against bending and rain, I will ship in an OPP bag with an A4-sized piece of thick cardstock inside★I offer items usable in settings like daycare centers, kindergartens, and care facilities, as well as activities to enrich time at home. Please check my profile for the full product list (^^)Translation　Message Card　January　New Year　New Year　Production　Production kit　#Nursery school　#Kindergarten　Caregiving　Kodomoen (combined childcare and kindergarten)　#StayHomeTime　Play　child　wall surface　Wall decoration　#min's home kindergarten　translation　Rakuma　Ema (wooden votive plaque)　Translation　#Let's do our best!　Things I want to work hard on　facility Support facility　Development class　translation　Rakuma
‘Sorry for Being Cute (feat. Kopi)’ – HoneyWorks

Let me introduce an idea for making an ema plaque out of construction paper.

First, cut out the parts from the paper: the ema plaque, Mt.

Fuji, the zodiac animal, and plum blossoms.

After you paste these together to complete the ema, write your wish on Mt.

Fuji to finish it off.

This idea works for any zodiac year, so it’s handy to remember.

You might also try using New Year–themed stickers instead of plum blossoms.

Draw the animal’s face and patterns with a pen.

If you make it a bit larger, it will be easier to write your wish.

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Just stick-on felt ema (votive plaque)

@user6612017398694
January Ema (wooden votive plaque)Handmade Daruma Mt. Fuji Felt Day service #Danran no Ie Kasugai Chuo #2025
♬ Enjoy Kids – Dianernia92

Felt creations have a warm, gentle atmosphere, don’t they? If you glue felt pieces onto an ema plaque with wood glue, you can make a lovely piece.

Try making parts like a daruma, Mount Fuji, or the zodiac animals.

It’s such a cute craft that older adults are likely to enjoy it, too.

An ema decorated by placing the pieces wherever you like will be a one-of-a-kind work in the world.

As you make it, you might even get excited reminiscing about New Year’s celebrations from the past.

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Pochi-bukuro ema

Easy origami! How to make a gift-envelope ema that can hold sweets or New Year’s money — How to fold a gift envelope ema.

Pochi-bukuro ema

These are ema charms that can also serve as small gift envelopes (pochibukuro) and are sure to delight your grandchildren.

Origami works, but if you use thicker colored paper, the result will be sturdier.

Fold it into the shape of an ema, glue the two sides, and thread a string through.

That’s it—your pochibukuro ema is complete.

You can also make the zodiac animal of the year with origami or construction paper and stick it onto the ema.

Including a message for the recipient is recommended as well.

It might spark lively conversation, especially for older adults who have grandchildren or others to give them to.

They also make lovely decorations for your room.

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