[For Seniors] Easy Origami Recommended for Winter
As the seasons shift from autumn to winter, the days are getting chilly.
For many older adults, going out can start to feel like a hassle.
So this time, we’re introducing origami that’s perfect for winter.
There are lots of delightful designs to make, like winter flowers, snowmen, and New Year’s good-luck charms.
It’s also fun to make plenty and use them as wall decorations or hanging ornaments.
What’s more, fine motor activities that use the fingers can stimulate the brain and help prevent dementia.
Please enjoy making them together and have a wonderful time.
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[For Seniors] Easy Origami Recommended for Winter (11–20)
New Year hanging decorations
There are many types of New Year’s decorations, and they all tend to have a luxurious, festive feel.
This craft project suggests making various lucky New Year’s ornaments out of origami and turning them into hanging decorations with string.
Classic motifs to create include pine, bamboo, and plum, as well as folding fans and battledores.
As you work, keep the size and color balance in mind and aim to give each piece a sense of three-dimensionality.
If you use red-and-white string, it will match the overall mood of the decorations and convey an even more auspicious impression.
Bagworm and leaf
Winter is a season when creatures stay out of sight because of the cold—bagworms, which wrap their bodies in leaves and twigs, make an appearance too.
This craft recreates the bagworm’s distinctive, wintry look with origami, and you can hang it with a string as a decoration.
Fold a sheet of origami paper into a long, narrow strip and snip small cuts into it.
Roll it up, then spread out the slits to shape the body, and attach the facial parts to finish.
Using a single color works fine, but if you layer a few different colors before you start, you’ll get a colorful gradient when it’s rolled up—so try this pattern as well.
Origami; first sunrise of the year; ema (wooden votive plaque)
In that first sunrise of the year, you can really feel its energy and power, can’t you? Some people may also imbue it with wishes like “I’ll do my best this year” or “May it be a good year.” A New Year’s ema plaque featuring such a divine first sunrise is perfect as a lucky charm.
If you attach an origami Mount Fuji alongside the origami first sunrise, it will look even more like a New Year’s ema.
Since Mount Fuji looks light blue or blue from a distance, choosing those colors of origami paper might be a good idea.
If you fold it using the white back side of the paper, you can also create the effect of snow piled on Mount Fuji.
Simple Origami Ema (votive plaque)
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♪ Original Song – Moomin – Moomin
Many older adults enjoy or are skilled at origami, don’t they? If you make ema (votive plaques) out of folded paper, those seniors are likely to be satisfied as well.
Once you fold the ema shape, fold your preferred parts—such as the zodiac animal, Mount Fuji, or the first sunrise of the year—and attach them.
There are many New Year–themed projects with simple steps that are easy to make, so it could be fun to look for them together with seniors.
While making the ema, some people may also find themselves reminiscing about New Year’s episodes and memories they once shared with their families.
How to make an easy origami ema (votive plaque)
Origami involves extensive use of the fingertips and helps stimulate the brain, so I imagine many senior care facilities incorporate it.
It also trains fine motor skills and concentration.
Ema (votive plaques) made with origami are perfect for January, making them a great recommendation for origami activities with older adults.
Let’s fold while creasing carefully to create the piece.
If the steps are simple, many seniors will likely be able to participate.
Enjoy adding your own touches, such as writing messages or decorating with New Year-themed stickers.
Three-dimensional Hamaya arrow and Ema plaque made with origami
Some seniors may also purchase a ceremonial arrow (hamaya) and ema plaques during their first shrine visit of the New Year, right? These are perfect for the New Year, but some older adults may find it difficult to go out.
You can make one by rolling a rectangular piece of origami into a tube, attaching feathers, and decorating it with gold origami—then it’s done.
You could also substitute a paper straw to make it.
Attach an ema made from folded origami to the hamaya to complete it.
Since most of the folds are simple, it should be easy for seniors to make.
Give this good-luck craft a try and make it by hand!
[For Seniors] Easy Origami Recommended for Winter (21–30)
Origami Japanese-style Decoration: Crane and Fan
Let’s combine origami and washi paper to make a crane and a folding fan.
First, fold the origami paper in half, then accordion-fold it, keeping the spacing evenly aligned as you go.
When creating a folding screen shape, vary the sizes and adjust where you make the halfway fold to achieve the look.
A key tip is to position the washi pattern on top so it remains visible.
Fold a crane using a quarter-size piece of origami paper, and finish by attaching plum blossoms around it.
Mizuhiki, which enhances a traditional Japanese atmosphere, is perfect for celebrations and festive occasions.
Give it a try!
