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

Candle house made from a milk carton

[Christmas at Home] Stylish and Super Easy Room Decorations: “Candle Houses Made from Milk Cartons”

It’s a house-like decoration made from a milk carton.

You place a candle-style light inside, and the glow visible through the windows is the charm.

The steps are simple: open the milk carton, cut it to match the light’s height, punch out window openings, then close it to form a roof with the white side facing outward.

A key point is attaching cellophane over the window areas; the choice of color changes the impression of the light that shines through.

Besides the simple pattern of a white house that highlights the light, decorating the white house with illustrations or ornaments is also recommended.

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kappamaki

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Handmade postcard made from a milk carton

Let's make postcards from milk cartons!

As a handmade idea, why not start by creating original postcards? You can make postcards using familiar items like milk cartons or things you have at home.

Peel off the film on the surface of a milk carton, blend it into a liquid, and you’re set.

You can also easily make a papermaking frame using a photo frame about the size of a postcard.

Scoop up the milk-carton pulp, drain it, and let it dry flat—and you’re done! Try drawing pictures or adding decorations for New Year’s cards to create a one-of-a-kind greeting.

These days, recycling has become more popular due to global environmental issues.

It might also be fun to craft while having a conversation themed around environmental topics.

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Nakajima Junko

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Christmas tree made with construction paper

[Construction paper Christmas tree] Sakura's Craft Room 46. Super fun! A tree made with colored construction paper and paper cups! First Christmas craft project. Christmas tree

Let’s make an adorable palm-sized “Christmas tree” using construction paper and a paper cup! Represent the fir tree’s fluffy needles with small, strip-shaped pieces of green and white construction paper.

To make it easier for older adults to participate, consider preparing the strips in advance and making other small adjustments.

You can enjoy decorating it with craft “pom-poms,” ribbons, and other embellishments available at 100-yen shops and similar stores.

Since the project uses lots of fine finger movements and requires thinking through the steps, it can also help stimulate the brain during the creative process.

You’ll make a sturdy trunk from thick paperboard, but a toilet paper roll can be used as a substitute.

If you do substitute, make sure it fits into the paper cup “flowerpot” that serves as the tree’s base.

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Nakajima Junko

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A scarf on a plate stand

[Easy for anyone!] A new knitting trick: the Plate-Stand Scarf #shorts

You can knit using a rod-style stand for holding plates upright.

Wrap the yarn around the rods on the plate stand in order.

Place the yarn over the wrapped yarn, then hook the lower yarn over it.

By repeating this, you can make a scarf.

There’s a similar method in finger knitting, so some older adults may have made one with their fingers before.

Plate stands and yarn are available at 100-yen shops, so it’s easy to get started.

Since you use your fingers a lot, it may also have brain-training benefits.

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Nakajima Junko

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Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)

[Old-fashioned fun at home] Let’s make and play Fukuwarai!

For the cold season, crafts that help you focus and have fun are recommended.

Fuku-warai is truly perfect for winter recreation.

Older adults may recall the past—memories of childhood or time with family—when they play.

The fuku-warai we’re introducing here lets you freely draw facial features using paints or pens.

Turning each person’s creativity into form can bring a real sense of accomplishment when it’s finished.

Because fuku-warai also sparks interaction with others, it becomes a time for communication as well.

Handmade fuku-warai is a wonderful recreational activity that offers joy and warmth to older adults.

3D Christmas candle

How to make an origami 3D Christmas candle | Origami 3D candle instructions

This is a three-dimensional candle motif assembled from origami.

Use an accordion-folded piece of origami as the base, then place a white sheet with the same accordion folds over it.

Next, fold in the diagonal creases you made on the top sheet, attach the flame piece there, and it’s complete.

Its simple appearance makes it easy to add decorations, and your choice of colors can really show your personality.

It might also be fun to connect several pieces of origami to make a large candle.

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kappamaki

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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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