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.
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[For Seniors] Cozy and Warming: Recommended Handmade Hina Dolls (71–80)
folding fan
This is a “fan” that you can have your handmade hina dolls hold or adapt into a hanging ornament.
The steps are simple, but you can make a realistic fan with origami.
Skillfully moving your fingertips during origami can be expected to have brain-training benefits.
Fingers are said to be the “second brain,” as they contain many nerves connected to the brain.
Since your fingers move based on commands from the brain, using your fingertips in origami helps activate the brain.
Origami fans are useful not only for hina dolls but also as New Year decorations, so try making them for various occasions.
Hishi-mochi made with origami
When it comes to offerings for Hina dolls, we often think of peach branches, shirozake (sweet white sake), and hishimochi.
This time, we’ll introduce an easy-to-make hishimochi using origami.
Start by making the initial creases and then form the shape.
The steps are simple, so try folding together with older adults who may find it challenging, and enjoy the process.
Hishimochi is made of three layers from the top: pink, white, and green.
There’s actually a deep meaning here that represents a spring scene: pink is for peach blossoms, white is for snow, and green is for fresh greenery.
Be sure to make these colorful hishimochi with origami and add a festive touch to your Hina Matsuri celebration.
Paper lantern with origami
No Hina Doll display is complete without bonbori lanterns.
They’re an essential decoration that even appears right at the start of the children’s song “Ureshii Hinamatsuri.” In the past, bonbori were reportedly used as lighting at weddings held at night in Japan.
This time, let’s fold bonbori out of origami that gently illuminate the faces of the Emperor and Empress dolls.
The steps aren’t complicated, making it an easy project for older adults as well.
For the flame part of the bonbori, try using your favorite origami in bright or soft colors.
Peach blossom in origami
Here’s how to fold a “three-dimensional peach blossom” that looks lovely hung on a wall or attached to a wreath.
The finished piece recreates a realistic peach flower.
It might seem complicated, but the process is simple: you make five separate petals and then assemble them.
It’s a project that older adults may also find approachable.
Origami is a recreational activity you can enjoy while chatting with those around you.
Try folding together with seniors who may feel it’s difficult, and enjoy the conversation as you go.
This three-dimensional peach blossom is soothing both to make and to display.
Origami Peach Blossom Wreath
This is a “peach blossom wreath” made with origami, recommended as a wall decoration for March.
It’s a bright, festive wreath perfect for Girls’ Day (Hinamatsuri), so even seniors may feel inspired to try making it.
The wreath’s base pieces are also folded from origami.
Make seven simple base units and combine them to form the wreath shape.
For the peach blossoms, create crease lines in the origami, fold them into shape, and assemble.
Adding a center to each blossom makes it look even more like a real peach flower.
Attach the finished peach blossoms to the wreath to complete it.
Origami is a seated activity that also allows for conversation with those around you, making it a great recreation.
Please enjoy the process as you create!
Cute hanging Hina dolls made of cardboard
Tsurushi-bina are essential for the Peach Festival (Hinamatsuri).
How about making your own using only materials you have at home? All you need are scissors, cardboard, a pen, glue, and so on.
This time, let’s make tsurushi-bina out of cardboard.
First, create the dolls and dress them with origami clothes.
Next, make some flowers and leaves, thread them onto a string, and you’ll be done in no time! You can also add your own touches by including strawberries, rabbits, or dango.
Since it’s just a matter of cutting and pasting, it’s easy and quick to make, and it’s recommended for seniors as well.
Hanging hina dolls made from empty containers
Don’t you feel a little excited as Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) approaches? Many older adults probably have cherished childhood memories of it.
Or, for seniors with children or grandchildren, it may feel even more meaningful.
This time, we’ll introduce an easy craft you can make at home: hanging Hina dolls using empty containers.
Besides plastic bottles, empty containers from lactic acid bacteria drinks work too.
First, make a hole in the container and thread a string through it.
Since making holes can be dangerous, please have staff handle this step.
Next, place washi-patterned origami inside the container to dress it like a kimono.
Draw the Hina doll’s face, hang it with the string, and in no time it’s finished!