[For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Simple, Recommended Crafts

Etegami for Setsubun

One of the charms of brush-and-paint picture postcards is that you can freely combine text and images.

In February, how about drawing Setsubun motifs such as Otafuku, oni (demons), and the beans used for bean-throwing to invite good fortune? For Otafuku, give the cheeks plenty of volume and a cheerful smile; for oni, emphasize the horns and fangs to boost their impact.

If you can, finish by stamping a seal—such as one carved from an eraser—for a signature touch.

Even if you’re not skilled at drawing, that can actually add a charming, rustic feel, so anyone can try it with ease.

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hiyori

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Mini shikishi decorations for Setsubun from the 100-yen shop

[100-Yen Store DIY] I tried making Setsubun decorations of a red ogre and a blue ogre on a mini shikishi board♪

This is a wall decoration themed around the oni (ogres) that appear in Setsubun, a traditional Japanese seasonal event.

Why not make a seasonal decoration using items you can buy at a 100-yen shop? Create the oni’s facial parts from construction paper and attach a soft string to both sides of the assembled face.

Represent the beans using Lezac paper or colored paper, adhere them to mini square boards, then use double-sided tape to add the oni parts as decorations.

Scatter beans and other elements used in oni-chasing scenes across the boards, attach a ribbon at the top, and it’s complete.

Working on these detailed steps also helps train fine motor skills by engaging your fingertips.

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mutō

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New Year’s decoration chopstick rest

[Practical] Good-luck item: fan with crane / New Year’s decoration / chopstick rest / Japanese fan with crane / chopstick rest

As a table-coordination item to welcome the New Year on a pleasant note, we recommend lucky chopstick rests made from origami! Origami is also effective for finger rehabilitation for seniors, so why not give it a try? You can make one chopstick rest from a single sheet of origami paper.

This design combines a fan and a crane: first create the fan portion, then fold the crane.

Because the chopstick rest itself is small, the folds become finer as you go, which may feel a bit challenging.

The final design places the crane at the center of the fan, so it can be used not only as a chopstick rest but also as a decorative accent for New Year’s festivities.

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miyabi

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Good Fortune Crane

I tried folding an Ofukuwake crane.

How about making an “ofukuwake crane” that’s perfect for gifting sweets or small items? It’s considered lucky, so why not enjoy trying it at the start of the year! Up to a certain point, the steps are the same as folding a traditional paper crane, so if you’ve made one before, you should find this easy.

The design features an open back on the crane, so pack the sweets or small items into that space beforehand.

Finally, punch holes at the tips of the wings, thread a ribbon through, and tie it over the crane’s back for an elegant finish! Have fun arranging it with different patterned origami papers.

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miyabi

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Cute origami oni wreath

[Origami] How to Make a Setsubun Wreath [With Voice Commentary] Cute Ideas for Setsubun Decorations!

When you think of Setsubun, you might picture scary ogres, but this time we’ll make a cute Setsubun wreath with origami.

We’ll create the base of the origami wreath, and since the steps aren’t complicated, it’s easy for seniors to try.

You’ll make several identical pieces for the base, so once you master how to fold one, the rest becomes simple.

After completing the wreath base, prepare parts related to Setsubun, such as ogres, Otafuku masks, and holly leaves.

You can make the parts together with seniors, or use items sold at 100-yen shops.

Even seniors who find it difficult to sense the seasons may be able to recall February through the crafting activity and by seeing the Setsubun wreath displayed on the wall.

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Nakajima Junko

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Cute Santa and an origami Christmas tree

How to make a cute Santa with a fluffy paper beard and an origami Christmas tree / How to make a cute Santa Claus and Christmas tree with paper

Just by putting a little decoration in your room, you can instantly get into the Christmas spirit with these “cute Santa and origami Christmas trees.” The charm of this craft is that you can make it with familiar materials like colored construction paper, origami paper, and toilet paper rolls! For both crafts, the main steps involve cutting and pasting colored paper or origami.

A key point is using toilet paper for Santa’s hat and outfit’s white trim, as well as his beard! For the beard in particular, the toilet paper is torn by hand to give it a fluffy finish.

If you’re incorporating this into a day-service craft activity, it might go smoothly if you assign roles and have everyone divide up the tasks.

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miyabi

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A cute three-dimensional Santa Claus made of construction paper

[Santa Claus] Christmas craft, 3D, construction paper, origami, Origami Christmas, Santa, mural, winter

This is a Santa Claus–themed character made by combining cut construction paper.

It features Santa’s face at the center with arms and legs stretched out, and because it’s simple, the overall impression changes greatly depending on the size of each part.

A major highlight is using cotton from a bag for the beard piece; this difference in material gives the character a three-dimensional feel.

We recommend mounting the character on construction paper as a base and using it as a wall decoration.

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kappamaki

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