[For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements
In March, when you can feel the arrival of spring, why not enjoy making calendars together with older adults? Calendars featuring March-specific motifs like dandelions, tulips, and Hina dolls not only provide pleasant fingertip stimulation through the crafting process, but also bring special joy when the finished pieces are displayed in a room.
Here, we introduce ideas that can be colorfully finished using familiar materials such as origami paper, construction paper, and yarn.
Please spend a warm, enjoyable time together, with lively conversations sparked by seasonal topics.
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[For Seniors] Making a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements (11–20)
peach blossomsNEW!
For the Peach Festival, peach blossoms are definitely a must! If you make peach blossoms out of origami and stick them on a calendar, you can create a full-on spring vibe.
First, fold the origami paper into a triangle twice to make diagonal X-shaped creases.
Then, from both ends toward the center of the once-folded triangle, and also fold the large corner down to make creases.
While folding in from the long edge toward the center, fold both ends along the creases you made.
Next, create creases to form the petal shapes, then open, make small cuts, and fold the corners to shape the petals.
Finish by drawing the pistil in the center with a white pen, and you’re done!
rapeseed blossoms
When March comes, you can see rapeseed blossoms blooming in fields and along riverbanks.
They’re a familiar flower to many older adults and one that heralds spring, don’t you think? A rapeseed-blossom calendar could be a lovely way to bring news of spring to seniors.
There are many ways to make rapeseed flowers, but using origami or tissue paper is recommended.
Fold yellow origami paper to make the flowers, or cut tissue paper into rapeseed shapes and stick them onto the calendar.
The bright yellow rapeseed flower carries the meanings of energy and liveliness, inspired by its appearance.
Just displaying such a calendar could help seniors feel vibrant and full of life.
Japanese bush warbler
When you hear the call “hoo-hokekyo,” it makes you think, “Spring is here,” doesn’t it? The Japanese bush warbler (uguisu) is familiar to many people, including seniors, as a bird that heralds spring.
So let’s try making a calendar with an uguisu motif.
You could use origami or a coloring-page design—either works nicely.
It’s also a great idea to add plum or peach blossoms.
There’s even a traditional auspicious expression, ‘ume ni uguisu’ (plum blossoms with a bush warbler).
Plum blossoms and the bush warbler are a well-matched pair, and because the two together symbolize harmony, the phrase is used to represent good fortune.
Incorporating this combination into your calendar’s layout would likely result in a lovely piece.
Pressed Flower Calendar
Introducing a pressed flower calendar that captures seasonal blossoms and plants, letting you enjoy the beauty of nature.
Pick flowers and foliage yourself, carefully dry and press them, and pair them with the monthly calendar to create a gently colored, richly expressive piece.
By changing the types of flowers and plants, you can reflect the seasonal feeling of each month.
Lamination turns it into a long-lasting interior decoration, and its natural, warm charm makes it a perfect gift.
Going for walks to find flowers for pressing, and the process of making the pressed flowers and calendar, also involve planning, physical activity, and fine motor practice—activities that may help prevent cognitive decline.
cherry blossoms in full bloom
When spring comes, even 100-yen shops line their shelves with items featuring springlike motifs such as cherry blossoms, wisteria, and strawberries.
So why not try making a calendar using items like design sheets—transparent film paper—letter paper, or origami? Here’s how: attach double-sided tape to all four sides of the design sheet, stick it onto slightly larger letter paper, and then collage on a calendar and decorations like flowers.
The soft patterns create a springlike feel and instantly brighten up your room!
Eraser-stamp Hina dolls
How about making a gentle-looking Hina Doll calendar using eraser stamps made from various parts? Cut out the necessary pieces: connect rectangular parts to form the tiered stand, and use circular parts for the faces, and so on.
When stamping, it’s a good idea to wipe each part stamp with kneaded eraser to keep the colors from mixing.
The parts can be shared among several people, and regardless of drawing skill, you can simply stamp away in your favorite colors—pat, pat—to create an adorable set of Hina dolls.
Give it a try!
[For Seniors] Creating a March Calendar: Introducing Spring-Themed Motifs and Arrangements (21–30)
Strawberry Crepe Calendar Arrangement
When it comes to fruits you want to eat in spring, many people probably think of strawberries.
Just imagining strawberry desserts or going strawberry picking is exciting, isn’t it? Let’s make a calendar themed around a crepe featuring strawberries! There are many ways to fold paper strawberries, so choose the method that suits you.
Attach three strawberries to yellow cellophane, then add a half piece of lace paper.
Fold it into a fan shape and glue it down to complete a cute crepe.
Glue the calendar onto construction paper and attach the crepe.
For extra flair, decorate with spring motifs like clovers to make it even more festive!
