[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?
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[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.
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.
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.
[For Day Service] February Craft Ideas: Decorations that evoke Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Spring (11–20)
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.
Simple and cute Setsubun wreath
https://www.tiktok.com/@buchiko_hoiku/video/7464122675724635399You can make a lovely Setsubun wreath using tissue paper, construction paper, and paper plates.
Cut out the center of the paper plate and attach crumpled tissue paper.
It looks charming in pink or red to evoke plum blossoms.
Cut out parts from construction paper to create an oni (ogre), an okame (mask/face), and a masu box filled with beans.
Staff can pre-cut the construction paper pieces, and seniors can be asked to assemble the parts and draw the faces.
It’s very easy to make a cute wreath, so it would likely be a hit to make at home with your grandchildren.
Tsumami-zaiku Ume Blossom
Tsumami zaiku can seem a bit difficult, but this one uses only the basic round fold, so it feels approachable even for beginners! Fold the chirimen fabric three times into a small triangle and glue it in place.
Use a small amount of glue to keep the finished look cleaner.
Gently puff it up, round it, and shape it, and your round fold is complete.
Combine five of these small pieces to make the upper row, then attach it to the lower row made the same way.
Turn it into a brooch or a strap, and you can feel the arrival of spring close by anytime.
Narcissus origami
This content guides you through making a three-dimensional daffodil, a flower that blooms beautifully in winter, using origami.
You create the center of the flower with yellow origami, and use the white reverse side to express the soft color of the petals.
It’s a process that requires delicate finger movements and concentration: make firm pre-creases and then fold finely along those guides.
If you pay attention to how you open cuts with scissors and keep your folds an even length, you’ll end up with an even more beautiful daffodil.
Finally, attach leaves made from green origami to complete it.
As you assemble, think about where on the flower the leaves emerge and how they protrude.
