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

holly sardine

In the old days—well, a long, long time ago—when Setsubun approached, you’d often see decorations at every front door: a grilled sardine on a stick with holly attached.

These days, you don’t see them as much, perhaps due to hygiene concerns and various social considerations.

If you make them out of paper, there’s no smell and they last longer, so let’s try making a “holly-and-sardine” out of paper to give as a gift.

Use a pair of disposable chopsticks as the core, attach leaf shapes that imitate holly, and fix a fish head at the tip—then it’s done.

With this paper holly-and-sardine, you’ll surely find yourself looking forward to Setsubun.

Hiragi Sardines and the Demon

[Craft Idea] Setsubun Crafts: Holly-Iwashi, Oni, and Plum Blossoms — Japanese Event Crafting (February) (Senior Recreation) (Early Childhood Learning) (Wall Decorations) (Creative) (Origami) (ogre) (origami) (paper straws)

These decorations feature a sardine with holly leaves and an ogre motif, made using paper straws that are also sold at 100-yen shops.

All other materials can be sourced from 100-yen shops as well.

They’re easy to prepare, yet you can create impressive holly-and-sardine and ogre decorations.

The holly sardine is not complicated to make, so it should be easy for older adults to try.

The origami ogre and plum blossoms involve some fine finger work.

Using your fingertips dexterously can help with finger rehabilitation and stimulate the brain.

Please adjust the folding steps to suit the abilities of the older adults.

Beyond wall decorations, you can also attach strings to make hanging ornaments—there are many ways to use them depending on your ideas.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Nakajima Junko

Report a problem

Fluffy, fuzzy snowman

[Snowman] 'How to Make a Fluffy Snowman' Winter craft, February wall decoration, preschool craft, senior care recreation, How to make a fluffy snowman

When you think of winter, you think of snow.

Some seniors may have memories of living in snowy regions, and some may even come from snowy hometowns.

How about chatting about that while giving them a cute snowman wall decoration as a present? Since the snowman is made with cotton, it feels nice to the touch and you’ll find yourself wanting to reach out and touch it.

If you’re going to stick it on the wall, it’s best to shape paper into a circle and pack it with cotton.

Use pipe cleaners and beads to make the snowman’s face.

If you have time, it’s fun to make them together with everyone!

Candy box

[Craft] Valentine’s Day Project – Candy Box

Would you like to enjoy making candy boxes together? Using origami paper, ribbons, scissors, and glue, let’s create lovely pieces with older adults.

Moving your hands is great stimulation, isn’t it? Adding a message to the finished box turns it into a heartfelt gift.

The time spent crafting together is a wonderful chance to deepen communication.

By showing each other your creations and sharing ideas, you can spend time in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

The rich experience and sensibilities of older adults will surely lead to wonderful works.

Heart Pochi-bukuro (small envelope for gifting money)

[Practical Origami] How to Make a Heart Pochi-Bukuro/Envelope with Voice Instructions ☆ Origami Heart Envelope Tutorial

Let’s make a cute envelope with a heart motif—perfect for Valentine’s Day and other events.

The design features a folded envelope with a three-dimensional heart accent, and the key point is that both the envelope and the heart are made from a single sheet of paper.

You leave the part that will become the heart unfolded, then fold the rest and shape the remaining area into a heart.

Because the heart and the envelope end up on opposite sides of the paper, the overall look changes greatly depending on the design of the origami you use.

If you prefer not to have a white heart, you might try adhering two sheets of origami together before folding.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kappamaki

Report a problem