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[For Seniors] Handmade gifts they’ll love: a roundup of simple ideas
Gifts given at senior facilities for events like birthday parties and Respect for the Aged Day celebrations.
Seeing the delighted faces of seniors holding their gifts makes everyone around them happy too, doesn’t it?
That said, coming up with gift ideas can be tough, and it’s easy to end up giving the same kinds of items over and over.
This time, we’ll introduce handmade gift ideas that seniors will love.
We’ve gathered items that are easy for busy staff to make and highly practical, among others.
When a gift is filled with the maker’s care, it can bring even greater joy to the seniors who receive it.
[For Seniors] Handmade Gifts They’ll Love: A Roundup of Simple Ideas (1–10)
Mall’s Mr. Bear SunflowerNEW!
When you think of flowers that represent summer, many people probably answer “sunflowers,” right? Here’s a perfect summer craft: a chenille-stem creation that combines a sunflower and a bear.
Sunflowers have a brown center, don’t they? The fun twist in this piece is turning that brown sunflower center into a bear.
You attach sunflower petals around the bear’s face.
Its unique style is likely to bring smiles to older adults as they make it.
It’s the kind of finished piece that would delight family members or grandchildren if you give it as a present.
Gerberas at the mallNEW!
Gerbera daisies bloom in a variety of vibrant colors.
Why not make some with chenille stems and brighten up your room? First, prepare seven stems of the same color, accordion-fold each one to create four peaks, and shape them into petals.
For the flower’s center, tightly coil another stem, then attach a circular stem around it.
After that, assemble each part into the shape of a flower to complete your gerbera.
You can also use wire to make the stem and leaves to create a single bloom.
Try making many and displaying them in a vase.
Baby’s breath at the mallNEW!
You can also make baby’s breath, which has a small and delicate look, using chenille stems (pipe cleaners).
Cut a pipe cleaner to about 4 centimeters in length and curl the tip into a small loop.
In addition to using your fingertips, try using needle-nose pliers for the finer parts.
Since you’ll use tools, this is a project that older adults who enjoy crafting can also find fun to work on.
With scissors, trim the fuzzy part of the pipe cleaner everywhere except the curled tip.
This creates the stem of the baby’s breath.
The more pipe cleaners with these tiny loops you make, the more realistic your baby’s breath will look.
When you put everything together, you’ll have a bunch of pipe cleaner baby’s breath with lots of little blossoms.
Chenille Rabbit BroochNEW!
A rabbit’s fluffy look matches the soft texture of chenille stems perfectly! Using one chenille stem, make the rabbit’s head, body, and hind legs.
Starting from forming the shape of the rabbit’s ears, build out the entire face.
If you want floppy ears, bend the chenille stem downward; if you want upright ears, proceed as is.
After shaping the body and hind legs, insert a brooch safety pin into the back.
Then prepare another chenille stem to make the front legs.
Pose it as you like, and finish by attaching eye parts and any other decorative pieces you prefer.
Sheep of the MallNEW!
You can make a sheep out of chenille stems that looks like Shaun from the anime “Shaun the Sheep.” Roll black chenille stems into a ball to make the face.
Use white chenille stems to make the head and body, and attach them to the face part.
A hot glue gun lets you stick them together quickly.
Also attach legs, ears, and arms made from black chenille stems.
Once you add the eyes, you’ll have a sheep that looks just like Shaun.
It might be even more enjoyable for older adults if you make it while also talking about the story of “Shaun the Sheep.”
The Little Bear of the MallNEW!
Let’s try making a small bear using a long chenille stem (pipe cleaner).
Gradually bend and twist the stem, starting from the face.
Once the face is done, fold it about 2 centimeters down from the neck to make the arms.
After shaping both arms, fold the stem again to make the legs.
Watching it gradually take the shape of a bear seems like it would make the crafting process enjoyable for older adults as well.
It also encourages focused engagement with the project, doesn’t it? If you add a ribbon and eye parts, you’ll have an even cuter bear.
It would look nice attached to a bag or pouch.
Hydrangeas at the mallNEW!
It’s a very rewarding project because you’ll make lots of flowers.
But the method is simple! First, wrap a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) around a pen 5–6 times to make a coil, slide it off, shape each resulting loop, and attach a bead or other decoration in the center.
Prepare as many of these as needed to match the size of the hydrangea you want to make.
Attach a piece of wire to each one as a stem substitute, combine several into small bundles, make a few of those bundles, and then bring the bundles together to finish the hydrangea.
If you want a larger bloom, keep at it and make lots of little flowers.
Carnation Toy PoodleNEW!
Perfect for gifts! Here’s how to make a carnation toy poodle using simple tissue paper.
Prepare tissue paper in your preferred size and some wire; accordion-fold the tissue paper and secure it with the wire.
Get a basket or any gift container you like, decorate it, and you’re done! The key is to offset the head and mouth carnations.
Insert the ears sideways so each carnation reads as a separate part—that’s the idea.
Shaping the mouth carnation by flattening it horizontally makes it even cuter.
Be sure to give it a try!
Carnation gift tagNEW!
Carnations, a classic Mother’s Day gift, symbolize pure and deep love.
A gift tag featuring carnations is a lovely item that adds a touch of elegance when attached to a present.
Use a flower-shaped punch to cut colored paper.
Curl the petals with a toothpick to create a three-dimensional shape.
Make three of these, combine them, and attach them to the tag along with leaves.
The flower’s meaning changes with color—red for a mother’s love, pink for gratitude, and white for respect—so think of the recipient as you create your tag.
Carnation message cardNEW!
When giving carnations for Mother’s Day, a message card is a must.
This set you can gift together starts by preparing regular origami paper cut down to 1/16 size, then making small carnation petals.
Bundle three of these together, add leaves, and finish one carnation.
Prepare about five sets like this.
Next, make a bouquet wrapper from another sheet of origami, arrange the carnations inside, and add a ribbon made from a different origami sheet.
Finally, attach a message card in the center, and you’re done! You can also hang it on the wall, so be sure to give it a try.