[For Seniors] Try Making Your Own Kadomatsu! A roundup of ideas using origami, felt, and yarn
As you prepare to welcome the New Year, why not try making a handmade kadomatsu? In this article, we introduce ideas for kadomatsu you can create using various materials such as origami, construction paper, yarn, and felt.
The time spent crafting seasonal decorations while working with your fingers provides stimulating benefits for the brain and naturally encourages conversation with those around you.
There are also unique creations, like edible kadomatsu and mini kadomatsu that can be displayed in a photo frame.
With clever use of items from 100-yen shops, it’s easy to give it a try.
Feel the joy of welcoming the New Year with your own handmade kadomatsu.
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[For Seniors] Try Making Your Own Kadomatsu! A roundup of ideas using origami, felt, and yarn (31–40)
Three-dimensional kadomatsu made with origami
Let me introduce a three-dimensional kadomatsu you can make with just origami.
Origami is also great for finger dexterity training for seniors! How about trying it as a New Year’s craft activity at a day service center or enjoying it with your family? All the parts of a kadomatsu—such as bamboo, pine, and plum blossoms—can be made from origami.
There are many small, detailed steps, but none require difficult techniques.
Once you make the base of the kadomatsu with origami, just insert each part into it and add decorations to finish! After putting in the effort, you’ll be able to welcome the New Year with a real sense of satisfaction.
Kadomatsu made with yarn
When you think of projects using yarn, knitting probably comes to mind.
Knitting can be a bit challenging if you’re not used to it, and some people might think it looks difficult.
However, there are projects that use wound yarn or thread just as they are, which many older adults can easily make.
Using the yarn in its rolled state, let’s create elements like the base of a kadomatsu, bamboo, and plum blossoms.
You can assemble it much like flower arranging.
It might also be helpful to prepare items in advance, such as pom-poms made of yarn or small rolls of yarn attached to fittings.
This approach is likely to bring out each senior’s individuality in their creations.
Wall decorations made with drawing paper
Kadomatsu, which are displayed at entrances during the New Year, are a traditional Japanese New Year decoration set out to welcome the toshigami (New Year deity).
Here is a simple way to make a kadomatsu using construction paper that even seniors can easily create.
Prepare a square sheet of green construction paper and let’s get started.
By making firm creases as you fold, the shape of the kadomatsu will hold well, and the finished piece will look impressive.
It’s a perfect craft for New Year’s wall decorations—give this kadomatsu project a try!
Made with paper clay
Making kadomatsu (traditional New Year’s pine decorations) with paper clay is a fun craft that lets you express your creativity while also training fine motor skills.
Using colorful paints, you can enjoy adding colors that reflect your own sensibilities, and the finished pieces look charming.
For example, incorporating animals made from paper clay creates a warm, evocative New Year’s decoration full of heart.
The freedom to choose colors and shapes throughout the process also helps foster the joy of self-expression.
While delicate steps may call for a bit of assistance, support is provided in a way that respects each person’s initiative.
It’s an enjoyable activity that also produces something practical, making it highly recommended.
Stylish kadomatsu made with artificial flowers
How about making a chic, stylish kadomatsu using artificial flowers? If you’re tired of traditional Japanese-style kadomatsu, it’s fun to try something a bit different! You can get all the materials at the 100-yen shop, so it’s easy to make.
The key to this project is taking apart a 100-yen kadomatsu decoration and rearranging it.
By adding flowers like roses in subdued colors and incorporating metallic materials, you’ll get an elegant look.
Painting the bamboo sections black will give the kadomatsu an even more refined finish.
Let your creativity flow and craft a piece that suits your taste!
[For Seniors] Try Making Handmade Kadomatsu! A Collection of Ideas Using Origami, Felt, and Yarn (41–50)
Kadomatsu Cannoli
Do you all know the country of Sicily? Sicily is an Italian island located to the southwest of the Italian Peninsula.
It’s also famous as a land of gourmet food, and a pastry called cannoli is well known.
Cannoli are filled with cream inside a shell.
The shape of cannoli has slanted ends and resembles the bamboo of a New Year’s kadomatsu decoration.
Using that idea, let’s try making a kadomatsu.
A kadomatsu you can eat seems like something older adults could enjoy preparing as well.
If you make it together with older adults during a cooking activity, it might also help widen their circle of social interaction with others.
Kadomatsu sensory bottle
A sensory bottle that shimmers and sparkles as it sways in water or liquid is beautiful.
Let’s make a kadomatsu-themed sensory bottle by tinting the liquid in the container yellow-green.
A clear container, such as an empty plastic bottle, makes it easy.
If you want to evoke the first sunrise of the year, prepare a yellow liquid with baby oil as well.
The yellow oil layer will sit above the yellow-green liquid, creating two distinct colors inside the container.
Once you decorate the plastic bottle with kadomatsu adornments, it’s complete.
Sensory bottles are said to have a calming effect.
Older adults might also feel soothed when they look at the finished piece.