[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 (41–50)
Original kadomatsu from the 100-yen shop
@pasta8787 I made my own original kadomatsu using items from a 100-yen shop.#2023Kadomatsu 100-yen shopI tried making it #100-yen store remake New Year #Flower Life with flowers
‘Sorry for Being Cute (feat. Kopi)’ – HoneyWorks
These days, 100-yen shops all seem to have an abundant selection.
In addition to New Year’s decorations, they sell items and decorations for seasonal events throughout the year.
Many also carry DIY and crafting supplies to support those who want to make things themselves.
Make good use of these and try customizing a ready-made kadomatsu to your taste.
If you paint the green bamboo white and choose a white base, you’ll end up with a kadomatsu that has a different vibe from the usual.
A kadomatsu that stands out indoors like an interior accent may feel fresh even to older adults.
Try enjoying the process of arranging a store-bought kadomatsu to make it even more luxurious or lively in style.
[For Seniors] Let's Make New Year Decorations by Hand! A roundup of easy ideas using familiar materials (51–60)
Handmade kadomatsu made from paper products and felt
Many handmade creations convey the warmth and feelings of their makers.
A kadomatsu crafted with construction paper, tissue paper flowers, or felt might be one of those, too.
You can create a beautifully detailed kadomatsu that exudes handcrafted warmth using materials sold at 100-yen shops and the like.
Using toilet paper rolls as the base of the kadomatsu is also recommended.
By combining recycled materials, it can be effective both in terms of cost and for the environment, don’t you think? Adding tissue-paper flower decorations to the kadomatsu gives it a soft, gentle finish.
It’s said that older adults, too, can feel a sense of accomplishment from creating their own pieces using recycled and familiar materials.
Tabletop kadomatsu
@yuumaama2022 Production of how to make a tabletop kadomatsuTranslationHandmadeKadomatsuChildcarechildNew YearHandmade Kadomatsu
♪ Original song – Yuumaaama – Yuumaaama
Let’s make a tabletop kadomatsu (traditional New Year’s pine decoration) using a milk carton.
We’ll place decorative elements that form the kadomatsu inside pieces cut from the carton.
There are detailed steps such as folding origami or construction paper and cutting short lengths of plastic ribbon.
Because it uses fine motor skills extensively, it can stimulate the brain and may offer brain-training benefits.
It’s also a project that can help improve concentration.
Starting from a simple milk carton and building it up into a splendid kadomatsu is likely to delight older adults as well.
Shimenawa decoration made with origami
A shimenawa decoration made from origami—perfect for seniors as a simple way to enjoy the New Year atmosphere.
Twist origami paper into a ring to form the base, then attach three-dimensional flowers, cords, mizuhiki, and more to complete a vivid, auspicious ornament.
By changing color combinations or experimenting with flower shapes, each participant can express their individuality.
Handling origami also exercises the fingers, and once finished, it becomes a cheerful interior piece you can enjoy by displaying it on a wall or at the entrance—an elegant idea brimming with seasonal charm.
3D origami kadomatsu: easy folding method
With simple folding methods, you can make a kadomatsu craft.
Many older adults are skilled at or enjoy origami.
Because origami uses the fingertips a lot, it stimulates the brain and helps keep it active.
For this reason, it is also used in senior facilities as a recreational activity that can help prevent dementia.
A kadomatsu craft with few complicated folds should be easy for older adults to start.
Since you can make the craft while chatting, it also helps promote communication.
Hanging decorations of pine, bamboo, and plum
The pine-bamboo-plum hanging decoration is a festive wall ornament that combines New Year-like colors with auspicious motifs.
Cut A4 construction paper into long, thin strips and use three colors—green, yellow-green, and red—to create pine needles, bamboo leaves, and plum blossoms.
Adding decorative circles gives the piece a sense of motion, and it’s charming to watch it sway when hung.
Since everything is made of paper, it’s easy to make, and the scissor and glue work is light, making it safe and suitable for older adults.
With a bit of creativity in color and arrangement, each piece can take on its own unique character.
It’s a heartwarming idea that conveys a sense of good fortune.
Making a Kadomatsu with everyday materials
Let’s collect toilet paper rolls and transform them into a lovely kadomatsu decoration.
Although we usually throw away toilet paper cores, repurposing them turns waste into something eco-friendly.
Cut the toilet paper rolls and cover them with patterned origami paper to create the base of the kadomatsu.
Because the base circle is small, make the bamboo, pine needles, and fan decorations inside on a smaller scale.
This project should be quite enjoyable for people who are good with their hands or who love origami.
If crafting parts like the bamboo is difficult, ask someone nearby to help.
Seniors are likely to enjoy making these adorable, palm-sized kadomatsu too.