[For Seniors] Enjoy Something New Every Day! Today’s Origami

Gift Frame

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

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.

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Nakajima Junko

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Pochi-bukuro (small decorative envelope for gifting money)

[DIY Work Video] [100-yen Shop Budget-Friendly] Easy! How to Make a Koinobori Gift Envelope – Golden Week & Children’s Day – Left-Handed Tutorial

Let’s try making a small money envelope (pochibukuro) shaped like a carp streamer (koinobori).

In many older adults’ households, people still raise koinobori or display samurai helmets (kabuto) for the Boys’ Festival in May, don’t they? Since the Boys’ Festival and Children’s Day fall during Golden Week, it’s also a time when grandchildren or relatives’ children might gather.

In such situations, it would be nice to give them a gift tucked into a handmade koinobori pochibukuro.

The steps to make the envelopes aren’t complicated, so they should be easy for older adults to create as well.

Plus, handmade pochibukuro can be threaded onto a string to make a garland, so they can also be used as indoor decorations.

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Nakajima Junko

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Message Card

[Children’s Day] How to make a message card with Kintaro and carp streamers

Let’s try making a message card for Children’s Day.

We especially encourage older adults who have grandchildren to make a Children’s Day message card.

Create items that evoke Children’s Day or the Boys’ Festival using origami or construction paper, and attach them to the card.

For example, carp streamers (koinobori), iris flowers, or Kintaro are great motifs.

Besides crafting with paper, you can also write a message with a brush or draw a picture.

A heartfelt, handmade card is sure to delight the recipient.

If you like, please use this as inspiration to create a wonderful message card.

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Nakajima Junko

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Origami for Fukuwarai

How to fold an Okame (Fukuwarai) with origami [New Year’s game]

Did you know that the “Okame” used in fukuwarai is actually a deity who brings good fortune? Let’s try folding this auspicious Okame with origami.

First, make the creases, then fold along them again.

Some steps are a bit tricky, so please offer support if it seems difficult.

If you also make facial parts for the finished Okame, you can play fukuwarai.

You could glue the parts on and enjoy it as a decoration, too.

Origami has a long history, so it’s a familiar pastime for older adults.

Through origami, some people may even recall memories from their childhood.

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Nakajima Junko

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Three-dimensional kagami mochi

How to make a 3D Kagami Mochi with origami! Perfect as a New Year’s decoration or a small display for January and winter—great for facilities or a little spot in your room. Why not give it a try? [Tsukuru-mon]

This three-dimensional kagami mochi is perfect for decorating small spaces in care facilities or rooms.

It’s also a great option for a winter craft activity at day-service centers, so why not give it a try? The main tasks are cutting and gluing origami, making it ideal for fine motor training for seniors.

The two-tiered mochi and the daidai (bitter orange) create a three-dimensional look.

Also, since the decorations for kagami mochi vary by region, be sure to decorate it in a way that suits your local area!

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miyabi

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Koinobori chopstick sleeve

[Origami] Chopstick Holder Koinobori (Carp Streamer) with Voice Commentary [Senior Recreation] Origami [Stay-at-Home Time]

To help seniors feel the seasons, some senior and nursing care facilities offer special seasonal meals, don’t they? In those moments, we’d like to introduce a carp streamer–themed chopstick sleeve that’s lovely to set quietly on the table.

Let’s fold a chopstick sleeve using origami.

If you use gold or red origami paper for the sleeve, you’ll end up with a festive design perfect for celebratory occasions.

Attach a carp streamer made from origami to the sleeve as well.

As you fold, some seniors may recall past Boys’ Day (Tango no Sekku) celebrations.

Besides carp streamers, you can also attach other seasonal decorations to the sleeve so it can be used throughout the year.

Please try arranging and customizing your own version.

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Nakajima Junko

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September Anniversary Pudding

[One Sheet of Origami] Easy! Cute Food: How to Fold a Pudding

It seems that the 25th of every month is Pudding Day.

The origin is that 25 can be read as “nikko-ri” (a pun meaning ‘smile’), and the day was created in the hope that people would eat pudding and smile! Here’s an idea for making a smiling pudding out of origami.

Prepare one sheet of origami paper and crease it diagonally into a triangle.

With the colored side facing up, fold both the left and right edges inward along the crease toward the center.

Next, fold down the top triangular section to create a small step.

Do the same with the bottom side, folding it upward to make another step.

Fold up the bottom, then slightly fold down the top triangular tip.

Flip it over, and you’re done.

It’s nice that you can make a pudding in a little cup using just one sheet of origami.

It would look delicious topped with a cherry or whipped cream!

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hiyoko sensei

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