[For Seniors] Brighten Up Your New Year’s Party: A Collection of Handmade Decoration Ideas
Why not brighten the joy of welcoming the New Year with festive decorations? New Year’s party décor lifts everyone’s spirits and builds excitement for the year ahead.
From lucky charms like daruma dolls and ema plaques to motifs that evoke traditional Japanese elegance—such as camellia blossoms and the lion dance—you can easily create warm, handmade decorations using origami or craft paper.
There are also plenty of exciting ideas like oversized kagami mochi or a torii gate entrance.
Working together with your hands naturally sparks conversation and brings out smiles.
When all the heartfelt intentions behind each piece come together, your New Year’s gathering is sure to be unforgettable.
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[For Seniors] Brighten Up Your New Year’s Party: A Collection of Handmade Decoration Ideas (11–20)
New Year’s decorations
Decorating for the New Year really lifts your spirits, doesn’t it? Festive decorations with a traditional New Year’s feel bring out everyone’s smiles.
How about making some lovely ornaments together using pinecones and colored paper? The key is to make the most of natural materials.
It’s fun to enjoy the textures and let your imagination run while you work.
As everyone collaborates, conversation naturally starts to flow.
Looking at the finished decorations fills you with hope for the year ahead, doesn’t it? May you create heartwarming memories in a cozy atmosphere!
Crane and Turtle
Why not try making a wreath decorated with cranes and turtles to wish for health and longevity? Strictly speaking, the cranes and turtles used in New Year’s decorations are called Shukuzuru (celebratory crane) and Jukame (long-lived turtle).
This comes from the saying, “Cranes live a thousand years, turtles live ten thousand,” which conveys the hope for lasting vitality and good health.
When making one, fold a crane and a turtle out of origami or washi paper and attach them to the wreath.
Using origami gives it a cute feel, while washi lends a calm, mature look.
You can also fold them with origami and add faces by drawing them in.
Mural of a Crane and a Turtle
How about making a lucky wall decoration featuring cranes and turtles, symbols of longevity, perfect for Respect for the Aged Day? If you craft cranes from colored paper using white as the base with black on the wings and red as an accent on the head, and turtles with green as the base, your wall will instantly look lively.
Adding elements like green pines and pink plum blossoms around them will make it even more festive.
You could also put up name tags for groups such as those celebrating their 70th (Koki), 77th (Kiju), 88th (Beiju), 80th (Sanju), and 90th (Sotsuju) birthdays, or include a longevity ranking chart to create a cheerful atmosphere.
battledore (a traditional Japanese decorative paddle used for New Year, also used in the game hanetsuki)
This New Year’s decoration is inspired by the hagoita, a paddle traditionally displayed as a talisman to ward off bad luck in early spring.
First, adhere cut pieces of fabric onto a plain hagoita.
Next, attach a cord along the edges to trace the outline.
Then, arrange foliage and flowers in a balanced way to create a festive look.
Finally, finish with a light mist of glitter spray.
If you’re crafting with a New Year’s theme, we recommend incorporating nandina (heavenly bamboo), camellias, or plum blossoms.
It’s an item that feels nostalgic yet offers a modern touch.
Why not make a decoration that will spark conversations about childhood memories?
fan
A fan-shaped New Year’s ornament is perfect for decorating entryways and doors.
This wall decoration combines two pieces of construction paper or washi paper folded into fan shapes to create a wreath-like finish.
The fan sections are easy to make—just alternate mountain and valley folds.
After that, decorate the center as you like.
Arrange dried flowers for a festive look, or use tree branches for a more subdued feel.
Making many and lining them up in a hallway also creates a striking display.
Camellia flower
Camellias, considered auspicious flowers, are used in New Year’s decorations.
Their red and white blossoms and glossy green leaves are perfect for celebrating the New Year.
They shine in origami flower arrangements and also work well as items for shimekazari and hanging ornaments.
When making the petals, slightly bend and glue together the separate pieces to create a three-dimensional effect.
Why not create a gorgeous piece that may also evoke a sense of nostalgia for older adults?
[For Seniors] Brighten Up Your New Year’s Party: A Collection of Handmade Decoration Ideas (21–30)
Origami Japanese-style Decoration: Crane and Fan
Let’s combine origami and washi paper to make a crane and a folding fan.
First, fold the origami paper in half, then accordion-fold it, keeping the spacing evenly aligned as you go.
When creating a folding screen shape, vary the sizes and adjust where you make the halfway fold to achieve the look.
A key tip is to position the washi pattern on top so it remains visible.
Fold a crane using a quarter-size piece of origami paper, and finish by attaching plum blossoms around it.
Mizuhiki, which enhances a traditional Japanese atmosphere, is perfect for celebrations and festive occasions.
Give it a try!
