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

Shimenawa with an ema (votive plaque) attached

[Craft Idea] Shimenawa paper craft (New Year in January) (senior activities) (early childhood education) (wall decorations) (creative) (easy) (seasonal) (ema plaques)

When New Year’s comes around, many households put up shimenawa decorations.

It would be lovely to display a handmade shimenawa along with ema plaques.

You can make them using craft paper or origami.

Using items from a 100-yen shop makes it easy to gather supplies.

Roll craft paper into a coil to form a ring and create the shimenawa.

Some older adults may have made shimenawa at home using straw and fruit.

Talking about shimenawa might spark conversation and help people connect.

Make plum blossoms, pine needles, and a folding fan to decorate the shimenawa.

Add a handmade ema, and it’s complete.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

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　facilitySupport 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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

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

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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

About 30 cm! Large kadomatsu (New Year’s pine decoration)

30 cm tall!! (⊙⊙) How to fold a big kadomatsu 🥹

Although it’s a size you can easily make at home, it has an impressive presence that instantly brings a festive New Year feel just by placing it on display! Because it faithfully reproduces traditional elements of a kadomatsu—like the bamboo-inspired sections, pine needles, and plum blossoms—placing it in an entryway or living room will greatly enhance the New Year atmosphere.

The creation process involves many hands-on tasks, which can help exercise your fingers and improve concentration.

Plus, if you make it together with family or friends, the conversation will flow naturally during the activity, making your New Year preparations even more enjoyable.

Making Kadomatsu out of construction paper

Preschool & Kindergarten: Kadomatsu Craft Ideas for New Year’s DIY

This craft project is appealing for its simplicity—you can make it almost entirely with construction paper.

Without any special materials, just by cutting, rolling, layering, and gluing colored paper, you can create a surprisingly authentic kadomatsu.

Preparation is easy, so it’s perfect for recreational activities or at-home craft time, and anyone can try it casually, which is a big plus.

The making process is fun and hands-on, and once you display the finished piece, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and growing excitement for the New Year.

It’s a highly recommended seasonal craft.

Origami kadomatsu you can display standing up

[New Year Origami] How to Fold a Kadomatsu with Voice Commentary ☆ Japanese New Year Decoration Kadomatsu

The balance between ease of decorating and ease of making is really appealing.

It features the gentle texture unique to origami and a design that can stand up as a 3D decoration, making it perfect for tables, entryways, or desks.

Simply changing the color combinations or patterns gives you a kadomatsu full of originality.

The handmade process brings the joy of the season and a sense of accomplishment, and displaying the finished kadomatsu instantly elevates the New Year’s mood.

Why not incorporate it casually as a heartwarming item to brighten the New Year?