The Chinese zodiac changes every year, and figurines of that year’s zodiac animal are considered lucky charms.
It’s said that if you display them in your entryway, living room, or household shrine, they will protect your home for a year.
In this article, we introduce handmade zodiac decoration craft ideas tailored for older adults!
The look and feel change depending on the materials you use, so choose your favorite based on what makes you think, “I’d love to display this at home—it’s lovely.”
Try making this year’s zodiac figurine together with everyone at a day service or other care facility!
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[For Seniors] Auspicious! Handmade Zodiac Ornament Craft Ideas (1–10)
Papier-mâché zodiac ornament
These are zodiac figurines made using the papier-mâché technique, where paper is pasted onto a hollow frame to create the shape.
Traditionally, the frame is assembled from bamboo or wood, or a clay mold is used, but you can also make them with items like capsule toy cases, making it easy to gather materials.
By crafting one with wishes for the new year, you can reflect on the past year and see in the new year with a refreshed feeling.
Tearing and pasting paper are simple tasks that also exercise the fingers, making this a recommended craft.
Tsumami-zaiku zodiac ornament
Eto decorations made with tsumami-zaiku, a traditional craft passed down since the Edo period, are perfect for celebrating the New Year.
Because they’re made by folding and pinching fabric without using needles or thread, they’re relatively easy to create.
As multiple fabrics are combined, it’s easy to express personal preferences and originality, and when making them in places like care facilities, the colorful ornaments can brighten up the room.
However, since you’ll need to cut small parts with scissors and the like, please take care during production.
Clay craft zodiac ornament
Clay crafting is highly recommended for seniors because the soft texture has a calming effect.
The method is very simple: shape the clay into a round form and attach parts like ears and a nose made with thin rods.
If you combine clays in various colors, the result will look more polished, so keep that in mind when purchasing materials.
For cutting the clay, use a type of knife that doesn’t cut too easily; it allows you to work more safely.
Daruma
By incorporating zodiac designs into the daruma, which has long been cherished as a good-luck charm, you can create a decoration perfect for New Year’s.
Using tissue paper and chiyogami will give it a vibrant finish, making it an enjoyable project.
Since you’ll be using scissors and other tools to make parts and decorations, please be careful with your hands.
Coming up with facial features and other design elements also serves as brain training, so it can be a meaningful activity.
It’s a craft that we hope you’ll display not only at the start of the year but all year round, and one that lets you enjoy your own unique style.
Chirimen zodiac figurines
This is a tutorial for making a zodiac ornament using chirimen fabric, which you create simply by sticking and cutting.
Use a styrofoam base, apply double-sided tape, adhere the chirimen fabric on top, and trim the excess fabric with scissors.
You might think it’s difficult to apply chirimen to a round base, but it adheres snugly, so it’s easier than you’d expect.
Try expressing a kimono with your favorite patterns and colors.
Towel doll zodiac
This is an idea for creating animal shapes using towels.
Some animals might be difficult, but with clever folding, you should be able to make most of them! First, fold the towel into a narrow strip and then shape it.
Use rubber bands when folding and bundling.
Since you’re not using glue, you can adjust the shape and redo it as needed—refine it as you go.
Hide the rubber bands with ribbons, and attach facial features like eyes using origami pieces fixed with double-sided tape.
Origami Zodiac Ornament
The idea of making good-luck charms with origami.
It’s nice that you can start as soon as the mood strikes.
And if you search video sites, you’ll find lots of different ways to fold even a single animal or zodiac sign—that’s another great thing about it.
Since these are good-luck charms and New Year’s decorations, it’s also fun to try making kimonos using chiyogami or patterned origami paper.
If you change the kimono colors and make a pair, they could even be displayed as Hina dolls! Because it involves fine motor skills, it’s great for stimulating the brain and highly recommended.