Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities

Work experience in a hospital as a physical therapistNakamū
I worked as a physical therapist at a general hospital for about four years. I’ve supported a wide range of patients, from those needing emergency rehabilitation to those doing rehabilitation at home at a comfortable pace. As a writer, I’d be happy to share health-related information with many people. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you!
Care Worker Initial Training Certification ObtainedNakajima Junko
Leveraging my experience working as a care worker at a day service, I am currently active as a writer in the caregiving and welfare fields. Beyond writing, I hope to expand my work into web design and illustration. I am a mother of three who has begun studying to become a certified social worker.

In January, we have the longstanding Japanese traditional event, the New Year’s celebration.

Many day service centers and welfare facilities likely put a lot of effort into decorations themed around January, the start of a new year.

So this time, we’ll introduce January crafts recommended for day service programs.

It’s still quite chilly, so let’s enjoy craft activities you can do indoors!

Even after the New Year’s holidays, winter-themed decorations like snow motifs and plum blossoms can stay up and be enjoyed as they are.

In addition to decorations, we’ve assembled many works that are perfect for January.

There are lots of ideas, including auspicious items, practical pieces, and projects that incorporate creative twists in the materials.

By all means, use these January craft ideas as a reference.

[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas to Make at Day Service (21–30)

Shimenawa with an ema (votive plaque) attached

[Craft Idea] Shimenawa paper craft (New Year in January) (senior activities) (early childhood education) (wall decorations) (creative) (easy) (seasonal) (ema plaques)

Shimenawa with an ema (votive plaque) attached

When New Year’s comes around, many households put up shimenawa decorations.

It would be lovely to display a handmade shimenawa along with ema plaques.

You can make them using craft paper or origami.

Using items from a 100-yen shop makes it easy to gather supplies.

Roll craft paper into a coil to form a ring and create the shimenawa.

Some older adults may have made shimenawa at home using straw and fruit.

Talking about shimenawa might spark conversation and help people connect.

Make plum blossoms, pine needles, and a folding fan to decorate the shimenawa.

Add a handmade ema, and it’s complete.

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Hanging decorations of pine, bamboo, and plum

How to make New Year decorations out of paper: a hanging pine, bamboo, and plum ornament! Why not try handcrafting one for your January decor? [Tsukuru-mon]

Hanging decorations of pine, bamboo, and plum

The pine-bamboo-plum hanging decoration is a festive wall ornament that combines New Year-like colors with auspicious motifs.

Cut A4 construction paper into long, thin strips and use three colors—green, yellow-green, and red—to create pine needles, bamboo leaves, and plum blossoms.

Adding decorative circles gives the piece a sense of motion, and it’s charming to watch it sway when hung.

Since everything is made of paper, it’s easy to make, and the scissor and glue work is light, making it safe and suitable for older adults.

With a bit of creativity in color and arrangement, each piece can take on its own unique character.

It’s a heartwarming idea that conveys a sense of good fortune.

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Wall decoration: extra-large fluffy kagami mochi

[January Wall Decoration] Fluffy Extra-Large Kagami Mochi [Easy Craft] Kagami mochi

Wall decoration: extra-large fluffy kagami mochi

At New Year’s, we display kagami mochi as a vessel for the Toshigami deity.

In this idea, we’ll recreate the kagami mochi using fluffy tissue paper.

First, stack several sheets of tissue paper, accordion-fold them, and tie the center with thread.

Then carefully separate the layers one by one, pulling them toward the center.

This will create a half-sphere, flower-like shape.

Make a total of five of these pieces, and create the mikan (mandarin) as well by using orange tissue paper in a slightly smaller size.

Stack these in tiers to form the kagami mochi on the wall.

Cut out the mikan leaves and a sanpō (ceremonial wooden stand) from construction paper to finish it off with a festive touch.

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Ema made from an envelope

Cute origami decorations for an easy envelope-made Ema (with audio commentary) — How to make paper decorations for a Japanese Ema

Ema made from an envelope

Let me show you an idea for making an ema (votive plaque) using a brown envelope.

First, place the envelope with the back side facing up, and fold the left corner of the flap toward the center line.

When you do this, make sure to fold it neatly so that the right corner comes to a sharp point.

Next, open the folded section and cut off the left corner along the crease.

Then, fold along the cut line twice, each fold 2 cm wide, and cut off the left side of the remaining envelope to the same width.

Also cut off the glued margin along the bottom, then unfold the parts you folded.

Cut along the crease on the left side where the envelope is still connected and open it up, then shape it into an ema by aligning it with the crease on the flap side.

Decorate it with flowers or Mt.

Fuji made from origami, and your ema decoration is complete! You can also have people write their wishes on it.

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Daruma Fukuwarai

Let’s incorporate the daruma, which is also popular as a New Year decoration, as a motif for a fukuwarai game.

The base daruma is attached to a frame, and you place the eyebrows, mustache, and ribbon on it.

After playing, you can glue the pieces down to use it as a New Year’s decoration.

How about customizing it by changing the daruma’s expression to a smiling one or switching the body to a different color? When using it as a decoration, it might also be lovely to decorate the frame.

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Cat Fukuwarai

I made a “cat fukuwarai” and tried playing with it!

Cat Fukuwarai

This is a recommended fukuwarai for those who love cats! When you think of fukuwarai, the classic themes are okame or hyottoko, but this one features a cat motif.

In addition to the eyes and nose, try adding parts like ears and a tail to enjoy the game.

Since there are many kinds of cats, try making the base with your favorite breed.

If you have a cat, it might be fun to use a photo of your own pet for the fukuwarai.

After you’re done, enjoy the adorable expression of the finished cat.

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Fukuwarai of the Seven Lucky Gods

@chokipeta_factory
Can you name the Seven Lucky Gods?#Nursery school Nursery teacher / Childcare worker Production New Year Fukuwarai
♬ Hoshiyume Drop – TOFU

How about playing Fukuwarai with the Seven Lucky Gods for a bit of good fortune? Ebisu, Daikokuten, Fukurokuju, Bishamonten, Hotei, Jurōjin, and Benzaiten—having the full set is truly impressive! After you finish the Fukuwarai game, you could even use them as New Year wall decorations.

It seems the Seven Lucky Gods illustrations are being prepared for sale, so they should become available for purchase before long, but if you’re good at drawing, you can make your own.

Another option is to use coloring-page illustrations that are available for free.

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