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Lovely senior life

For seniors: Heartwarming and cozy. Recommended handmade Hina dolls

Hinamatsuri is an event filled with the wish for girls to grow up healthy and happy.

On March 3rd, many families traditionally display Hina dolls and celebrate.

In this article, we introduce handmade Hina doll ideas especially for seniors.

One-of-a-kind handmade Hina dolls have a warm, charming feel, don’t they?

The Hina dolls featured here are all easy to make using familiar, readily available materials, so please feel free to use them as inspiration.

[For Seniors] Heartwarming and Cozy: Recommended Handmade Hina Dolls (61–70)

Paper-plate Hina dolls

Let’s make it with your child! Paper plate Hina dolls
Paper-plate Hina dolls

Hina dolls made with paper plates are not only easy to create, but also adorable because they rock using the plate’s curve.

By tearing and pasting origami or chiyogami onto the paper plate, you can create kimono patterns, making the activity easy even for older adults.

Once the plates are prepared, simply attach the parts for the male and female dolls’ faces to finish, so it’s perfect as a Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) recreation activity.

It’s a recommended seasonal craft that will continue to charm you with its cute, soothing movement even after it’s finished.

Easy Hina Dolls with a Topsy-Tail Twist

[Easy Craft] [Dollar Store DIY] Super Simple with a “Kururinpa” Twist! Cute and Chic Hina Dolls [Hinamatsuri Activity] #shorts
Easy Hina Dolls with a Topsy-Tail Twist

These are Hina dolls made using fabric tape that’s even sold at 100-yen shops.

Since you attach Japanese-patterned fabric tape to another piece of fabric to make them, there’s no need for needles.

It’s safe and suitable for older adults as well.

After sticking the fabrics together, turn the piece inside out with a quick twist through the slit you’ve made.

Once flipped, the head and neck portion will form.

Use craft supplies or origami paper to make the faces and accessories, and attach them to the fabric you prepared earlier.

You’ll end up with simple Hina dolls that have a refined, grown-up feel.

It’s a project you can continue to enjoy afterwards by taking it home and displaying it in your room.

Let’s try making a tiered display with tsurushi-bina (hanging hina ornaments).

(3) Hanging-decoration Hina dolls (Art Fun Squad vol. 31: Hanging ornaments for the Peach Festival)
Let's try making a tiered display with tsurushi-bina (hanging hina ornaments).

Tsurushi decorations are indispensable for Hinamatsuri events held at senior facilities and day service centers.

They’re beautiful ornaments that brighten up the atmosphere when quietly displayed in a room.

This time, let’s make a tiered display of the Imperial Prince (Odairisama) and the Imperial Princess (Ohinasama).

First, draw the pictures and cut them out.

Then make the fan and hair ornaments as well.

Finally, draw the faces to complete the pieces.

Since you can freely draw their expressions, please finish it as a one-of-a-kind creation that’s uniquely yours.

hishimochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake for Hinamatsuri)

Introducing how to fold a hishi-mochi with origami! How about it as a decoration for March? [Ori-Tsuku]
hishimochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake for Hinamatsuri)

When it comes to the three-colored Japanese sweets essential for the Peach Festival on March 3, hishimochi comes to mind.

The red layer of hishimochi symbolizes peach blossoms, the white represents snow, and the green stands for fresh spring greenery.

Let’s make this colorful hishimochi with origami! It adds a nice accent to your Hinamatsuri decorations.

First, make the base for the hishimochi.

Next, fold the three colored parts using red, white, and green origami paper.

Assemble each piece and attach them to the base to finish.

Displaying it together with your Hina dolls will create a festive, elegant Hinamatsuri atmosphere.

Enjoy decorating in your own style!

Hina Doll Card

How about making flat decorations—Hina Doll cards? Hina dolls made of origami can be hard to display, but with cards you can stand them up as they are, stick them on the wall, or put them in a photo frame—there are lots of ways to decorate.

Make slender, kokeshi-like Hina dolls (the Empress and Emperor) out of origami and attach them to a backing card.

It’s also nice to decorate around the edges of the backing with chiyogami or your favorite colors, using a torn-paper or collage style.

Adding a message on the back and giving it as a gift is also recommended.

Three Court Ladies

[One sheet of origami] Easy! How to fold cute Hina dolls for Hinamatsuri: the Three Court Ladies (seated hina).
Three Court Ladies

The dolls lined up on the tier just below the Emperor and Empress are the three court ladies.

They are said to serve right beside the main figures.

Would you like to have fun making these three court ladies with origami? Let’s start by making the kimono they wear.

There aren’t any difficult steps, so it’s great for origami beginners.

Even those who aren’t good at crafts should find it easy to make.

It’s also nice that you can complete everything with just one sheet.

For the finishing touch, draw the three court ladies’ faces on construction paper and stick them on, and you’ll have an adorable set of three court ladies.

Hina dolls displayed with a folding screen

A craft idea inspired by the byōbu (folding screen), used for room decoration or partitions.

Because it has a traditional Japanese feel, it’s recommended for seniors to make.

Cut origami paper into a half-circle and crease it down the center to create the folding screen.

Next, make Hina dolls using origami or chiyogami.

Using floral or traditional Japanese patterns will give it a more festive finish.

Finally, decorate with masking tape or origami, and you’re done.

It’s a Hina doll craft that’s enjoyable from the moment you choose the colors for the folding screen and the kimono.