[For Seniors] Let’s Make New Year Decorations by Hand! A Collection of Easy Ideas Using Everyday Materials
How about a craft activity where you hand-make decorations to brighten up the New Year? We’ll share ideas for easy-to-try ornaments using familiar materials—auspicious motifs like senryō (coralberry), the pine-bamboo-plum trio, Mount Fuji, and sea bream.
You can crumple lots of tissue paper, accordion-fold origami, or press clay onto cardboard—great fine-motor exercises, too.
If everyone divides up the tasks and works together, the conversation will flow and smiles will abound.
Once the decorations are finished and hung on the wall, they’ll fill the space with a festive New Year’s atmosphere.
Enjoy a fun crafting time while sending your wishes into the coming year!
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[For Seniors] Let’s Make New Year Decorations by Hand! A Collection of Easy Ideas Using Everyday Materials (21–30)
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.
Three-dimensional wall decoration: Shishimai (lion dance)
There’s a custom that having a shishimai (lion dance) bite your head wards off evil, right? So how about incorporating a shishimai into your New Year wall decoration? With this idea, you can create a three-dimensional shishimai.
You can download a template for the shishimai’s head from the description, then cut out the parts to match and glue them together.
For the shishimai’s body, use a daisy craft punch to cut pieces and glue them onto green construction paper.
Display it together with plum blossoms made from tissue paper to brighten up your room.
[For Seniors] Let’s Make New Year’s Decorations by Hand! A Collection of Easy Ideas Using Everyday Materials (31–40)
New Year’s decorations
Perfect for the New Year! Here are some stylish, bright DIY wall decoration ideas.
In this project, you’ll use origami paper to make a “Happy Birthday” party banner, paper fans, and ball ornaments.
For the banner, accordion-fold origami paper cut into flag shapes and attach letters cut from origami on top.
For the paper fans, fold accordion-folded origami in half, then glue several pieces together to form a circle.
For the ball ornaments, assemble triangular prism pieces made from origami into a sphere.
Use the finished pieces to decorate your wall and beautifully brighten up your space.
Rabbit ornament
It’s a popular motif that instantly brightens up any room.
This adorable origami piece is also perfect as a New Year’s decoration.
The folding method is very simple, and the step-by-step instructions are slow and thorough, so even those who aren’t confident with origami can work on it with ease.
All you need are two 150 mm square sheets of origami paper, glue, and a marker.
It’s easy to prepare, making it great for crafting together with children! If you make it with older adults, the handwork naturally sparks conversation, creating a warm, relaxed time.
Looking at the finished piece while sharing New Year memories can also be a heartwarming way to connect.
Rabbit New Year decoration
This is a warm, handcrafted piece you can make with everyday materials like yarn and colored construction paper.
Create a fluffy pom-pom with yarn, fold the construction paper into an accordion fan, and place a colored-pencil rabbit illustration in the center to complete a decoration that beautifully blends New Year’s festivity with cuteness.
The charm lies in being able to make a softly textured piece without any special tools.
Display it in the entryway, on the wall, or on a shelf to instantly brighten the room and evoke the excitement of welcoming the new year.
New Year cute rabbit ornament
Although it’s a simple piece that can be made from a single sheet of origami paper, its rounded form is charming and gently brightens up any room.
The folding instructions are explained as clearly and carefully as possible, so even those not used to origami can tackle it with confidence—a nice bonus.
All you need are one 15×15 cm sheet of origami paper, two 4 mm round stickers, and a pen.
The finished size is about 7 cm × 7 cm—easy to display—and it takes only about 10–15 minutes to make, so it’s easy to try.
Good-luck New Year’s decoration: rabbit
A cute Zodiac ornament for New Year’s made with tsumami-zaiku.
At first glance it might not look like tsumami-zaiku, but the ears are carefully crafted using the double-round (W maru) pinch technique, giving the finished piece a charming, three-dimensional look.
The method is relatively simple, so even beginners can try it with ease.
Just placing it atop a small kagami mochi or a New Year’s wreath will add brightness and warmth to your space.
Its visual charm and the handcrafted warmth are appealing, making it a piece you can enjoy anywhere you choose to display it.