[For Day Service Centers] February Craft Ideas: Decorations for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and the Feeling of Spring

peach blossoms

Kimie Gangi “Peach Blossoms” made with tissue paper #FebruaryDecor #Hinamatsuri #PeachBlossomLand #DIY #SpringWallDecor #Elderly #Recreation #Handmade

Speaking of flowers, it’s cherry blossoms; speaking of trees, it’s plum.

With these two, Japan’s spring is in full bloom.

It’s fun to go plum-blossom hunting even while shivering in the cold, and the traditional cherry-blossom viewing, even if the party aspect tends to be emphasized these days, has its own charm.

But we mustn’t forget peach blossoms.

Many people love those big, striking, gorgeously full blooms.

So how about decorating the gathering space with lots of peach blossoms made out of paper? You might even hear people say, “It’s like a peach blossom paradise!” It would also be nice for all the seniors to make peach blossoms together.

It’s a perfect event for a day when many people come together.

Plum blossom wreath

Origami plum blossom wreath folding method – Origami Plum Flower Wreath tutorial (niceno1)

When plum blossoms start to bloom, it feels like the peak of winter has passed and spring is gradually approaching, doesn’t it? This is a wreath made with origami, using plum blossoms—which begin to bloom around February—as the motif.

You carefully layer the creases to form a pentagon, then open it up to create a three-dimensional plum blossom.

Using the dimensional edges, you connect the flowers and shape them into a wreath.

You can express your originality through color balance, such as how you arrange the red, white, and pink flowers.

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kappamaki

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Dandelion decoration that calls in spring

How to Make Paper Dandelion Wall Hanging (Spring Wall Decoration) – How to Make Paper Dandelion Wall Decor

You can’t buy dandelions at a store, but you often see them blooming in the corners of parks, right? They start blooming around January and can be seen until about May.

They bloom in the same place every year, which makes them feel so resilient, doesn’t it? Many people probably find dandelions encouraging.

This time, let’s make a dandelion decoration that heralds spring.

It’s very easy to make! First, prepare some paper and make the leaves and flowers separately.

It’s all simple steps like folding and making small cuts.

Finally, prepare a wooden coffee stirrer and stick the pieces onto it, and before you know it, your dandelion decoration is complete.

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Nanaka

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maneki-neko (beckoning cat)

[Origami Cat] Lucky Maneki Neko that beckons happiness

Do you know what February 22 is? If you love cats, you probably do—it’s “Cat Day.” They say the date was chosen because the sound of a cat’s meow in Japanese, “nyaa-nyaa,” resembles the numbers in the date.

Since cats don’t need daily walks like dogs, many seniors keep them as pets.

So why not share a bit of happiness by making an origami “maneki-neko” (beckoning cat) and giving it as a gift? It’s tough until you learn the folds, but once you make one, you can make them one after another.

Add gold or red paper and it’ll look so real you might mistake it for a genuine maneki-neko.

May the beckoning cat bring good luck and auspicious beginnings this spring!

Setsubun tear-off calendar

Daily tear-off calendar production (Setsubun version)

When you think of events in February, many people probably think of Setsubun, right? Setsubun brings to mind things like ogres (oni), bean throwing, and ehomaki.

Let’s make a seasonally themed calendar by creating these associated items out of construction paper or cardstock.

For example, New Year’s for January, Hina dolls for March, and cherry-blossom viewing for April.

It could also be fun to have older adults imagine the season and craft what they describe.

Recalling what’s related to each month can serve as brain training, too.

By changing the motifs, you can create a calendar that can be used throughout the entire year.

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Nakajima Junko

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Heart-shaped flower

How to Make Cute Flowers with Heart Pompoms – DIY: How to Make Heart-Shaped Pompom Flowers

Cute hearts are not just for Valentine’s Day—they’re delightful to receive anytime, aren’t they? Today, we’re introducing a craft project for making heart-shaped flowers! You can use flat hearts to decorate letters or drawings, and you can also make three-dimensional hearts to send to someone.

Origami is great not only for fine motor skills, but also for the sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something and for training the brain to plan ahead.

Make lots of adorable heart flowers and give them as gifts to the people around you on Valentine’s Day!

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Kawamura Mina

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Heart-shaped paper fan

[Heart Decorations] How to Make Heart-Shaped Paper Fans

Valentine’s Day is a must-have event in February, and when it comes to decorations, hearts are the classic choice.

Here’s a three-dimensional heart motif that’s easy to incorporate into your Valentine’s décor.

Cut construction paper into a wide, horizontal oval, accordion-fold it, then fold it in half and glue it to form a heart shape.

Pink and red are the standard colors, but arranging hearts in a variety of colors for a more vibrant display could be fun, too.

These are great not only for wall decorations but also as an accent to accompany gifts.

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kappamaki

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