[For Seniors] Craft Ideas Recommended for New Year’s and the New Year
In winter it’s cold and you tend to feel reluctant to do anything.
At times like that, try adding some fun, absorbing craft activities.
In this article, we’ll share New Year–themed craft ideas you can enjoy, perfect for the season.
New Year’s brings a festive image, and it’s the perfect time to make New Year decorations.
As a New Year craft activity, enjoy origami with auspicious motifs, or try making New Year decorations at the end of the year in preparation for the holiday.
Each idea is sure to result in a gorgeous, delightful creation!
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[For Seniors] Recommended Craft Ideas for New Year’s and the New Year (91–100)
Origami Calendar: Shishimai (Lion Dance)
Let’s try making a shishimai (lion dance lion) using three sheets of origami paper in red, green, and gold.
Use red for the head, green for the body, and gold for the lion’s mouth.
The process features classic folding techniques like the roll fold and the zabuton (cushion) fold.
The head is the most difficult part, but if you make firm creases, it will come out neatly—so give it a try.
The body is easy: do a zabuton fold, then fold it in half into a triangle, tuck in the corners, and shape it.
Once you’ve drawn the face and patterns with a pen, glue it onto a backing sheet to complete your calendar.
Origami Calendar: Hagoita Paddle and Shuttlecock
Hanetsuki is a traditional New Year’s game that has long been loved in Japan.
The items used for it are the hagoita (paddle) and the shuttlecock.
Here are origami ideas for making a hagoita and a shuttlecock.
The hagoita is made by separating it into the hitting surface and the handle, and the shuttlecock is made by separating it into a weighted base and three feathers.
Each can be made with just a few folds, so even those who aren’t confident with handcrafts should enjoy making them.
However, since these are designed to be a bit large, if you want to use them in a calendar design, it might be better to use slightly smaller origami paper.
Origami Calendar: Kagami Mochi
Kagamimochi, which is offered at New Year as a sacred stand-in for the Toshigami deity.
Believe it or not, you can make it easily with origami! It also works as a January calendar design, so give it a try and enjoy the New Year atmosphere.
In this idea, you’ll use three sheets of origami paper to create the parts—“mochi,” “sanpō” (the offering stand), and “mikan”—and then assemble them into a kagamimochi.
The steps are simple, featuring basic folds like valley-pleat (dan-ori) and cushion fold (zabuton-ori), making it suitable for everyone from children to seniors.
Origami Calendar: Kadomatsu
During the New Year season, kadomatsu decorations are often displayed at the main entrances of large buildings.
Some of you may remember having them at your own homes’ gates when you were little.
Kadomatsu is a perfect motif for a January calendar.
This origami idea not only shows how to fold a kadomatsu, but also includes instructions for a festive fan and plum blossoms.
Why not try making them and using them as the main design for your calendar? Since combining all the parts adds thickness, be sure to adhere them firmly when using them in your design.
origami horse zodiac
One of the twelve zodiac signs, the Horse (Uma).
Let’s fold a horse out of origami to welcome the New Year.
Using washi-patterned or double-sided origami paper makes it look very festive.
In this video, hand-dyed yuzen paper is used.
Fold with the patterned side on the outside.
Pay attention to making clean, sharp corners—the neater the folds, the better the final result.
The section that becomes the face involves a 3D fold and takes a bit of practice, but the challenge makes finishing it all the more rewarding.
How about enjoying some conversation with friends or family as you get started on New Year’s preparations?
kusudama ornament
Here’s an introduction to making a kusudama ornament out of origami.
During the Christmas season, ornaments are hung on trees and around the house, right? Depending on the design, ornaments can create a fun and festive atmosphere.
You can use either origami paper or construction paper.
Cut the paper into a circle and fold it several times.
Make five creases on the circular piece.
Of those five creases, apply glue to two of them, fold the piece in half with the glued creases on the inside.
Make 20 of these parts, then connect the parts by applying glue to the other three crease areas (the ones without glue) and attaching them together.
Once all the parts are assembled, you’ll have a charming ornament with a mesh-like pattern.
Since this involves steps beyond folding—like using scissors and glue—it offers plenty of hand and finger activity, making it suitable for older adults as well.
Mini Crane Strap
Let me introduce a mini crane strap made with colorful chirimen crepe fabric.
Since there are many delicate steps, using tweezers makes the process easier.
Fold the chirimen as you would an origami crane, and secure each fold with glue so the creases hold.
Once the crane shape is complete, attach the strap hardware to finish.
You’ll need to work before the glue dries, so it can feel a bit rushed, but once you see the result, I’m sure you’ll feel it was worth the effort.
