![[For Day Service Centers] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Feeling of Spring](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/pr0KClTOF5g/maxresdefault.webp)
[For Day Service Centers] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Feeling of Spring
February is a month when you can feel the arrival of spring even amid the cold.
For crafts at the day service, let’s choose activities that engage the hands while reflecting the changing seasons.
Seasonal crafts may make you look forward to spring and spark lively conversations.
February’s unique motifs—Setsubun ogres and ehomaki rolls, camellias and daffodils that bloom beautifully despite the cold, and Valentine’s heart decorations—are all heartwarming.
Crafts made with familiar materials like origami paper, Yakult containers, and felt are easy for anyone to try and bring great joy when completed.
Shall we enjoy creating warm pieces together that help us forget the winter chill?
[For Day Service] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Coming of Spring (1–10)
Winter Wall Decoration: Snow Rabbit
When winter comes, many people think of snow bunnies.
The process is simple: fold a sheet of origami paper into quarters, then cut it into an oval with scissors.
Paste the oval-shaped origami slightly below the center of your base cardstock.
On a separate sheet, sketch a snow bunny shape to create a frame, then glue it onto the base you just prepared.
Attach cotton to form the bunny’s body, giving it a three-dimensional look.
Finish by adding movement with origami ears and nose pieces.
It’s also a great idea to decorate the edges with washi tape or other cute touches.
Easy plum blossoms with Marrakech knot (Mōru/knotting)
Plum blossoms are cherished by many as an early spring flower that begins blooming earlier than cherry or peach blossoms.
Because they bloom even in the cold season, they make us look forward to the spring that is just around the corner.
How about incorporating plum blossoms into your February craft recreation? Use bright pink pipe cleaners to create petals and stamens, and assemble each blossom one by one.
Make leaves with green pipe cleaners and attach them to the flowers.
The process of twisting pipe cleaners to form plum blossoms is effective for finger rehabilitation while nurturing imagination and concentration.
Enjoy a soothing moment indoors while gazing at your plum blossoms.
Wadaiko strap
The wadaiko strap makes a perfect item for yourself or as a gift.
When you think of oni, you often picture them holding a Japanese drum, right? Let’s try making a cute, rounded strap inspired by that drum! It’s very easy to make: place two plastic bottle caps together and secure them with vinyl tape.
Be careful not to forget to sandwich the strap cord in between.
Once you draw the distinctive “oni taiko” markings, it’s complete.
Attach it to your smartphone, cane, or bag, and you can always feel the warmth of something handmade.
It’s also wonderful to make them with friends and match as a set.
No-sew felt Oni decoration for Setsubun
Some people may find felt decorations difficult because they involve using needles.
This project can be made without sewing, so even those who aren’t confident with sewing can try it easily.
Use a compass to cut circles from red, yellow, and black felt.
Cut each circle in half, then create parts by pairing red with yellow and red with black.
Combine the parts into a ball shape to make the body.
Use the compass again to cut out two more circles, attach the facial features, and then join them to the body to finish.
If you make both a red ogre and a blue ogre and display them together, it really brings out the Setsubun atmosphere!
Handmade ogre decoration made of yarn
These are cute, perfectly round oni decorations for Setsubun.
Gather yarn, felt, and egg-shaped foam pieces.
You can buy everything at a 100-yen shop, which makes it nice and easy.
Apply craft glue to the foam piece and start wrapping it with yarn.
The key is to lay the yarn flat so it doesn’t create ridges.
Press it down with your hand from time to time to ensure it adheres firmly.
After making the pants section with yellow yarn, wrap the body with red yarn.
Create the hair using yarns of different thicknesses, then attach the face and horns to finish.
Even though they’re small, these adorable oni have a strong presence and will brighten up the atmosphere of any room.
Hanging decorations for Setsubun made of felt
For seasonal Setsubun wall decorations, we recommend making hanging ornaments out of felt.
Paper or origami decorations are lovely too, but this project is perfect for those who feel, “I made something similar last year…” You’ll cut small pieces of felt to create Setsubun motifs like ehomaki rolls, oni (ogres), and holly with sardines.
It’s very detailed work, but you can almost hear the fun conversations about what kind of faces to give them.
You’ll need a needle only for threading at the end, but you can make all the parts without sewing.
It’s a charming Setsubun decoration that conveys the warmth of felt.
Tsumami-zaiku: little oni and holly sardines
Speaking of Setsubun, we think of demons (oni) and holly sardines, right? Holly sardines have traditionally been displayed as talismans on Setsubun to keep evil spirits out of the home.
Bean-throwing is performed to drive away oni and pray for good health.
How about making oni and holly sardines perfect for Setsubun decorations using tsumami zaiku (pinching craft)? The process of cutting and gluing chirimen fabric and decorating the tiny faces exercises the fingers and stimulates the brain.
What kind of face should we make? What should they hold? Conversations with those around you are sure to liven up.
It’s a project that lets you enjoy the seasonal feeling of Setsubun while also giving you the sense of accomplishment when it’s finished.