[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 Roundup of Handmade Decoration Ideas (31–40)
Shimekazari
Shimekazari are one of the must-haves for New Year’s in Japan, aren’t they? How about a unique shimekazari made with paper? First, wrap paper string around an empty tissue box over and over.
Once you’ve wrapped a certain amount, slide it off the box, tie it tightly at one point, and cut it in half.
Clip the tied section, divide the strings into two bundles, then twist and braid them, form a loop, and secure it—your handmade shimenawa is complete! Add plum blossoms, a fan, or other accents to boost the New Year vibe.
Enjoy displaying it at your facility’s entrance or on the door.
accordion garland
This is a colorful, festive garland made with origami that looks like a series of fans in various shapes.
You simply accordion-fold the origami, fold it in half to create a fan shape, and then alternate the pieces as you connect them.
Because the shape is simple, the color combinations are especially important—try arranging them to create a more beautiful gradient.
If using solid-colored origami feels too plain, using patterned paper to give it a bold finish is also recommended.
Daruma
Just having a lucky Daruma in your room makes you feel so festive, doesn’t it? Here’s how to make a Daruma by reusing a milk carton and a toilet paper roll.
It’s cost-effective because you can make it with materials you already have.
It’s easy to make, so it’s also perfect for recreational activities for seniors.
Cut the milk carton into strips, roll them up to create the base of the Daruma, wrap it with tissue paper, draw the Daruma’s face on a separate piece of paper and attach it, then decorate with metallic origami paper or similar—and you’re done! You could even have day-service participants draw the Daruma’s faces themselves.
Display your handmade Daruma and welcome the New Year with energy!
Various Daruma decorations
Bodhidharma, known in Japan as Daruma Taishi, is said to have brought Buddhism from India to China.
In Japan, a simplified, round depiction of Daruma Taishi sitting in zazen and training is widely cherished as a good-luck charm.
That Daruma figure is also perfect as a New Year’s decoration.
Try decorating your room or walls with Daruma.
If you want something flat, an ema plaque works well—people often paint the zodiac animal on them, but painting a Daruma would be auspicious too.
For a three-dimensional look, a Daruma-otoshi toy could be fun! Just make a colorful stack of cylindrical pieces and draw a Daruma face on the top—done.
If you’re good at woodworking, try making it from wood.
You can even use it as a game at a New Year’s party.
corsage
A corsage, used as a floral decoration worn at the waist, neckline, or wrist.
Some people might think, “It looks hard to make…,” but you can create one just by repeating a set of simple steps.
First, make cuts along the top and bottom edges of a rectangular piece of nonwoven fabric.
Next, fold the cut fabric and spread out the petals to form a three-dimensional corsage.
It’s recommended to choose fabric that has a string inside.
Try decorating your New Year’s party with this item to create a soft, gentle atmosphere.
[For Seniors] Brighten Up Your New Year’s Party: A Collection of Handmade Decoration Ideas (41–50)
collage letters
This is a craft that uses collage to beautifully decorate large letters with origami, photos, and more.
First, print large letters from a computer—choosing the right font here is especially important.
Once printed, freely paste small cut pieces of origami, photos, flyers, etc.
on top to create a colorful look.
Then cut along the outline of the letters from the back, and carefully attach the letters to a backing sheet while keeping the balance in mind to finish.
As you work, think about which characters evoke the New Year and which colors best emphasize the meaning of the letters.
Balloon
Balloon decorations are perfect for birthdays, parties, and more.
They’re especially recommended if you want to create a bright, pop atmosphere for New Year’s gatherings.
When inflating the balloons, the key is to include a variety of sizes—from large to small.
Since you’ll use lots of balloons, this is also great for recreational activities at day-service centers.
Try connecting them with fishing line and hanging them from the ceiling, or sticking them to the wall with double-sided tape—decorate freely and have fun.
You could even take on a big project, like creating a balloon arch for the facility entrance.