[For Seniors] Let’s Make New Year Decorations by Hand! A Collection of Easy Ideas Using Everyday Materials

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)

When it comes to ema (votive plaques), the five-sided shape is the most familiar, but there are also versions inspired by auspicious motifs like fans.

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

The base is made with a simple step—cutting off the edge of a coffee filter—and then adding decorations such as the zodiac animal.

Since the base is thin, even if it’s somewhat soft, layering the decorations well is key to achieving a beautiful finish.

Think about balance as you place the decorations, including where to write your wish.

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Sea bream decoration made from cardboard

Let’s make a decorative sea bream, an essential for the festive New Year! First, cut cardboard into the shape of a sea bream.

Then take fingertip-sized pieces of clay and stick them onto the body to resemble scales.

If you press them firmly into the cardboard with your fingers, they’ll adhere well! Use different types and colors of clay to create a vibrant, celebratory sea bream.

Make the eyes out of clay, too, and attach them.

Finally, thread a string through it, and you’re done! Hang it on a wall or elsewhere to create a festive atmosphere.

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Pom-pom Kagami Mochi

[100-Yen DIY] How to Make a Pom-Pom Kagami Mochi

This is a cute kagami mochi mascot with a soft look, made by stacking pom-poms.

If you use a fluffy-ball kit, the pom-poms are easy to make, so focus on shaping the size and form neatly.

Gently press the white “mochi” pom-pom into an oval, and keep the orange part as a sphere, stacking and gluing them together.

Finish by attaching a red-and-white cord and a mandarin leaf.

To help it stand upright, it’s also recommended to glue a circle-cut piece of felt to the bottom.

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wire shimenawa decoration

[Handmade] Easy 100-yen shimekazari you can make for one coin: Scandinavian-style wire shimekazari

Why not try making a Scandinavian-style wire shimenawa decoration? The base is a shimenawa made of wire.

It’s sometimes sold under the name “iron shimenawa,” so try searching for that.

Then, attach decorative elements like pine needles with a hot glue gun.

If you buy decorations that already come with wire, you can attach them without using a glue gun.

Finally, add a decorative cord and you’re done.

If you feel traditional Japanese decor doesn’t suit your home, give this a try.

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Seven Lucky Gods origami

[Origami of the Seven Lucky Gods] Cute good-luck charm! How to fold a seated Benzaiten (Benten)

The Seven Lucky Gods are said to be a group formed by deities from various religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, and Taoism.

They’re like the Avengers of the gods.

In fact, there are countries and regions where they’re considered the Eight Lucky Gods.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to fold the Seven Lucky Gods in origami? If you’re enjoying this at a senior facility, it might be nice to divide them among seven people so each person makes a different deity.

These days, there’s plenty of knowledge and information about origami available, from professional origami websites to hobbyist videos.

Find something that matches your skill level and give it a try!

Let’s make and display! Octopus

[Papercraft] How to Make a Miniature Kite

In recent years, kites have been somewhat overshadowed by digital toys.

Still, until not so long ago, kite flying was one of the classic New Year’s traditions, wasn’t it? Kites are said to have originated in China, and apparently were first made for military purposes.

How about making a kite like that and displaying it in your room? It will instantly boost the New Year’s mood.

As long as you have paper, bamboo skewers, and string, it’s not that hard to make.

First, write your favorite kanji on the paper—“dragon” is a popular choice.

Then attach the bamboo skewers in a rectangle to match the paper, tie on the string, and you’re done.

The smaller ones look especially cute.

Why not have fun making them in various sizes?

a big kagami mochi

[For New Year’s decorations / Super easy] How to Make a Large Kagami Mochi [Suitable for facilities and senior activities]

When it comes to New Year’s kagami mochi, the bigger and more luxurious it is, the luckier it seems, right? Here’s a giant kagami mochi that focuses on size, using bedding.

Use a low table like a chabudai as the base, shape a futon like a rice ball, cover it with a sheet, and tie it to form the kagami mochi shape.

Then place the mandarin part on top, made from items like a bath towel, a plastic bag, and an orange shopping bag, and it’s complete.

Its sheer size makes a strong impact on its own, but if that feels lacking, it could be fun to think about additional decorations around it.

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