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Lovely senior life

Recommended for seniors! Origami gifts

How about giving origami as a gift to an older adult?

Origami makes a perfect present for Respect for the Aged Day, birthdays, and other special occasions.

Handmade gifts warm the heart and make people feel cozy inside.

For such occasions, flowers are a great choice in origami, as well as celebratory good-luck cranes.

Try making something with the recipient’s tastes in mind.

It’ll be even more appreciated if you include a message card along with the origami gift.

Recommended for Seniors! Origami Gifts (51–60)

Koinobori decoration

[Children’s Day] Let’s make a carp streamer decoration. 🎏
Koinobori decoration

Here’s an idea for a carp streamer decoration in the style of a hanging scroll.

You can use origami carp and finish it in a way that suits the celebration of Children’s Day.

Fold the carp out of origami paper—Japanese patterns or other designs are recommended.

Attach crepe paper and washi to create a hanging scroll backing, then stick the origami carp onto it.

Making and attaching a windsock (fukinagashi) alongside the carp will look lovely as well.

Displayed on the wall like a hanging scroll, it can help evoke the feeling of May even for older adults.

Alternatively, insert a stick into a paper cup weighted with clay and attach the hanging scroll to the stick.

Dandelion wreath

Introducing how to make a three-dimensional dandelion wreath decoration with origami! Why not try making it as a spring decoration for April and May? [Tsukuru-mon]
Dandelion wreath

Spring is the season when the weather warms and many flowers begin to appear, and you’ll likely spot more dandelions as well.

This craft recreates dandelions—a quintessential spring flower—using origami and combines them into a wreath-like shape.

To make the dandelion flowers, fold a strip of origami paper in half and then fold it again to make it narrower, cut fine slits along the edge, roll it up, then spread and shape it.

The wreath base is made by assembling triangular units, and it’s recommended to use green to evoke leaves.

Finally, combine all the parts and add decorative elements like leaf pieces to complete the project.

Gift Frame

Make it with origami! Easy Carp Streamer–Shaped Gift Frame Tutorial (for Children’s Day).
Gift Frame

Here’s an introduction to a carp-streamer gift frame that can hold photos or sweets.

Fold two sheets of origami using the same steps, layer them, and you’ll create a single frame.

The folding process doesn’t have many complicated parts, so it may be easy for older adults to try.

It also looks lovely if you place patterned origami inside the frame.

Shape the frame itself like a carp streamer and pop in a photo or some treats.

When adding sweets, we recommend using a clear bag.

On Children’s Day, some grandparents may have their grandchildren visit at home.

Putting sweets in the gift frame and giving it to your grandchild is sure to delight them.

Cactus and flowers

[Origami] How to fold a cute cactus and flower – easy origami flower
Cactus and flowers

A cactus characterized by prickly spines.

Cacti also bloom in a variety of colors, such as red, yellow, and white.

It varies by species, but they mainly flower from early spring to around summer.

Some older adults may also be growing cacti at home.

Let’s make a potted, flowering cactus out of origami that you can display at home.

Fold along the creases you’ve made to create the pot.

Use accordion folds to add creases, shape, and form the cactus.

Fold a triangle three times, cut off the excess, and make the cactus flower.

Put all the parts together to finish.

Real cacti have flowers in many different colors.

With your origami piece, try making the flowers in whatever colors you like.

Parallel arrangement of tulips

[Origami] How to make a parallel tulip arrangement / 【折り紙】チューリップのパラレルアレンジメントの作り方
Parallel arrangement of tulips

When it comes to spring flowers, many people probably think of tulips.

This time, we’re introducing a three-dimensional tulip craft.

Three-dimensional origami might sound difficult, but there aren’t many detailed steps, so it may be easy for many seniors to make.

Folding these cute tulips can also spark lively conversations among seniors and those around them.

By the way, a “parallel arrangement” is a style of flower arranging where the plants are placed parallel to each other, evoking the image of them standing in a row.