[For Seniors] Perfect for winter events! Easy craft ideas

Origami chocolate bar

Origami Chocolate Bar

This content shows how to make a chocolate bar—an essential for Valentine’s Day—out of origami.

Choosing different colors of paper is a fun way to suggest different flavors.

For the chocolate itself, cut a sheet of origami paper into four equal parts, fold each into a raised-looking square, then combine and attach them to form the base.

Next, fold the wrapper to fit the bar so it looks like the chocolate can be pulled out, and you’re done.

Crafting the chocolate body with a three-dimensional look is the key to conveying the excitement of Valentine’s Day.

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kappamaki

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Origami holly and sardine

How to fold a Setsubun origami holly-and-sardine (Hiiragi Iwashi) [with audio commentary] — Easily make a cute Setsubun decoration!

The classic Setsubun decoration that combines a sardine head with holly leaves is best known not so much for its talismanic power to ward off evil, but for its curious appearance.

Let’s make this “holly-sardine” using chopsticks and origami.

For the sardine head, use radial creases as a guide to fold it into a diamond shape, then tidy both ends to create a sharp, fish-like form.

Leaving a small gap at the tip is key—insert a chopstick there, and it will look as if the head is stuck onto a holly branch.

For the holly leaves, fold green origami into long, narrow strips, shape leaf tips at both ends, then attach them by wrapping them around the chopstick to complete the whole piece.

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kappamaki

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Origami Christmas tree

[Origami] How to make an easy Christmas tree – origami Christmas tree

This is a simple Christmas tree made with origami.

Its simplicity allows for a wide range of customization, and the key is that you can express originality through decorations.

Fold green origami paper into a pointed triangle to create the base, then add embellishments like rhinestones or stickers.

It’s important to have a crease down the center of the triangle—this clearly conveys the trunk of the tree and gives it a sense of dimension.

Whether you use decorations that suggest the spread of the branches or ones that evoke festive ornamentation, the personality of the tree will come through depending on which aspects you choose to emphasize.

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kappamaki

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Lucky Cat New Year Wreath

[Origami] How to make a New Year’s wreath — Origami New Year’s Wreath

New Year decorations that wish for the health and happiness of your family—how about making them with origami? This time, we’re introducing a particularly cute one: a “Maneki-neko New Year wreath.” First, combine four sheets of origami to create the wreath portion.

Using patterned origami gives it a pop and lively look.

Once the wreath is complete, fold a Maneki-neko and attach it to the wreath.

Feel free to change the cat’s expression to your liking.

This way, a New Year decoration that is already auspicious will feel even more lucky.

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yamamoto

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Cute ema made with finger stamps

How to Make an Ema Plaque: Easy Craft with Construction Paper! A Nursery Teacher Explains New Year’s Crafting

This activity involves pasting a large illustration of the zodiac in the center of construction paper cut into the shape of an ema plaque, then decorating around it with paint.

By applying the paint with your fingers, you can add softness and a sense of depth.

Consider how to arrange auspicious, New Year–themed elements and decorate your ema with your own design.

Since the unique feel comes from not using a brush, if you’re uncomfortable getting paint on your fingers, try using familiar tools instead.

It’s also fun to observe how the paint looks different depending on the method you use.

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kappamaki

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Finger-knitted acrylic scrubber

Easy even for beginners! You can make an eco-friendly scrubber with finger knitting.

Finger-knitted acrylic scrubbies are an easy craft idea that uses readily available acrylic yarn.

Their soft feel and colorful look make them appealing, and they’re also highly practical—they clean well and dry quickly.

Since the process involves hooking the yarn with your fingers as you knit, it’s perfect for finger exercises, and the fine motor movements can even provide brain-training benefits.

By experimenting with colors and shapes, you can create your own unique designs, and sharing the finished pieces with one another can turn the activity into a great opportunity for communication.

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kappamaki

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Torn-paper collage made from newspaper

Usable for New Year’s cards too! How to make “torn newspaper collage”

Torn-paper collage, which gives a warm impression, is also great for New Year’s cards.

You can use any kind of paper, but using newspaper makes the color-hunting process fun, too.

First, make a rough sketch on thin paper like washi or calligraphy paper.

Then stack carbon paper, newspaper, and your sketch in that order, and trace the sketch with a bamboo skewer.

Next, go over the cut lines on the newspaper (now bearing the transferred sketch) with an awl, and tear by hand.

Repeat until you’ve made all the parts, then paste them onto the New Year’s card to finish! It’s a good finger exercise, and it’s interesting how the impression changes depending on which parts of the newspaper you use.

Give it a try and send a handmade-feel New Year’s card!

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sasashina

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