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

Simple paper poinsettia decoration

[Christmas] Easy paper poinsettia decoration you can make right away (with voice commentary) – Easy paper Christmas Poinsettia decoration

Let’s make a poinsettia—the plant that brings festive color to Christmas—using construction paper.

Pay attention to the size of each piece and how you layer them; that’s the key to creating a sense of depth.

Cut the red construction paper into a leaf shape that spreads in four directions, then stack two identical pieces to form an eight-point shape.

Next, cut the green construction paper into leaves larger than the red ones, layer the red piece on top, and glue it down to complete your poinsettia.

It has a three-dimensional look, yet the base is paper, so it should work well in a variety of decorations.

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kappamaki

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Shimenawa wreath decoration

All Paper! How to Make a New Year’s Shimenawa Wreath Decoration

Why not try making a handmade shimenawa wreath, an essential New Year’s decoration? It’s perfect for seniors’ finger dexterity training, and the handmade touch gives it a unique charm you won’t find in store-bought items.

For the shimenawa rope, you can unravel paper cord available at 100-yen shops and braid it yourself.

You can also enjoy decorating it however you like with items such as fans made from chiyogami paper, camellia flowers crafted from colored paper, and mizuhiki cords.

If making the shimenawa from paper cord feels too challenging, using a store-bought wreath base could be an easier way to finish it.

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miyabi

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Various Daruma decorations

[Origami Winter] New Year’s origami decorations: various “Daruma” ornaments. Easy craft and wall decorations (for childcare workers and caregivers). Papercraft Daruma / DIY.

Why not try making New Year decorations featuring the lucky Daruma motif? It’s easy to get started with familiar materials like origami and construction paper, making it a great option for day-service recreation activities as well! You can paint the Daruma’s face with a brush like a first-calligraphy exercise, create pieces inspired by the traditional Daruma-otoshi game, or make a three-dimensional Daruma with just a few simple cuts—there are countless ways to enjoy Daruma-themed New Year decorations depending on your creativity.

Use them as wall hangings or tabletop ornaments to brighten up your space and welcome the New Year in style.

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miyabi

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Fukumamori

[Craft Activity][100-Yen DIY] Easy, no sewing! Fukumamori (Good-Luck Charm) [Summer/Autumn Craft][Craft Vlog] What are your summer vacation memories?

Why not try handmaking a Fukumamori, a charm said to bring happiness? It’s a great idea both as an accessory for seniors to wear and as a gift for someone special.

Cut slits at both ends of the center of a piece of felt, then attach a string and decorative pom-poms onto tape and sandwich them between the felt.

After sticking fabric and buttons onto the felt, decorate with triangular fabric and beads, and finish by tying the string.

Create a heartwarming gift with a Japanese or Christmas theme!

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mutō

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Fluffy chenille wish plaque (ema)

Gen Hoshino says “Let’s dance at home,” and we say “Let’s make it at home♪ Let’s make ema♪ Let’s make them as a family.” (This is a how-to video from Kanone Junior High on making handmade ema craft plaques.)

It’s an ema plaque with a three-dimensional feel, as if the area outside the written wishes is framed by a softly wrapped chenille stem (pipe cleaner).

Cut the panel into the shape of an ema, then make an inner cut and hollow it out.

Wrap the chenille around the outer frame, punch a hole at the top of the inner piece, cover the entire inner piece with construction paper, thread the chenille through the inner hole, tie it, and fit it in place to complete the whole piece.

Have everyone write their wishes on the inner construction paper.

With the frame thoroughly decorated, the wishes written on the inside are nicely emphasized.

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kappamaki

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balancing toy (Yajirobei)

Let's make a balancing toy!

A yajirobei is a traditional Japanese toy.

It’s shaped like a person and balances with weights, so it’s also called a balancing doll.

Some older adults may remember playing with a yajirobei when they were children.

Let’s try making a nostalgic yajirobei using a pine cone.

All you need are bamboo skewers, glue, and so on.

Just cut the materials to size and stick them together—that’s it.

It’s an easy craft for seniors to try, so it’s recommended.

If you make a face out of construction paper for the pine cone at the end, you’ll have a humorous, personality-filled yajirobei.

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Nanaka

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Advent calendar

Medical Corporation Misugi-kai, Misugi Geriatric Health Facility “Advent Calendar”

Let’s make an Advent calendar that counts down the days until Christmas using simple paper chains.

It will look like a string of linked rings hanging down, with the date written on each ring.

On the corresponding day, cut off that day’s ring with scissors.

Watching the chain get shorter day by day builds excitement for Christmas.

Encourage holding the end of the chain firmly and cutting carefully to help focus on fine motor skills and concentration.

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kappamaki

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