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 (31–40)

Origami; first sunrise of the year; ema (wooden votive plaque)

In that first sunrise of the year, you can really feel its energy and power, can’t you? Some people may also imbue it with wishes like “I’ll do my best this year” or “May it be a good year.” A New Year’s ema plaque featuring such a divine first sunrise is perfect as a lucky charm.

If you attach an origami Mount Fuji alongside the origami first sunrise, it will look even more like a New Year’s ema.

Since Mount Fuji looks light blue or blue from a distance, choosing those colors of origami paper might be a good idea.

If you fold it using the white back side of the paper, you can also create the effect of snow piled on Mount Fuji.

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Simple Origami Ema (votive plaque)

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[Origami] Easy ⭐︎ How to Fold an Ema (votive plaque)Origami Translation Ema (wooden votive plaque)origami Daruma Mt. Fuji
♪ Original Song – Moomin – Moomin

Many older adults enjoy or are skilled at origami, don’t they? If you make ema (votive plaques) out of folded paper, those seniors are likely to be satisfied as well.

Once you fold the ema shape, fold your preferred parts—such as the zodiac animal, Mount Fuji, or the first sunrise of the year—and attach them.

There are many New Year–themed projects with simple steps that are easy to make, so it could be fun to look for them together with seniors.

While making the ema, some people may also find themselves reminiscing about New Year’s episodes and memories they once shared with their families.

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Just stick-on felt ema (votive plaque)

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January Ema (wooden votive plaque)Handmade Daruma Mt. Fuji Felt Day service #Danran no Ie Kasugai Chuo #2025
♬ Enjoy Kids – Dianernia92

Felt creations have a warm, gentle atmosphere, don’t they? If you glue felt pieces onto an ema plaque with wood glue, you can make a lovely piece.

Try making parts like a daruma, Mount Fuji, or the zodiac animals.

It’s such a cute craft that older adults are likely to enjoy it, too.

An ema decorated by placing the pieces wherever you like will be a one-of-a-kind work in the world.

As you make it, you might even get excited reminiscing about New Year’s celebrations from the past.

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New Year’s day care: Ema (votive plaque) making

New Year's day service recreation: Ema (votive plaque) making

New Year’s day care: Ema (votive plaque) making

You can also feel a sense of cuteness from ema plaques decorated with the zodiac animals.

Let’s attach zodiac animals, pine needles, bamboo leaves, plum blossoms, and other pieces to the ema backing.

Place the zodiac animal wherever you like, and it’s done.

If you bundle the backing and the parts to be attached—such as the zodiac pieces—together in a bag and hand them to seniors, it might make the craft easier for them.

Making this set together during a year-end craft activity with seniors also sounds fun.

Add a New Year-style message, such as your resolutions or wishes for the year, and it’s complete.

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How to make an easy origami ema (votive plaque)

[Origami] Easy Ema (votive plaque) Tutorial ✨ How to make a paper Ema #Seollal #NewYear #Decoration #Shrine #Wish #SacredHorse #WoodenPlaque #Prayer #NewYear’sDay #NewYear #Ema #FoldingInstructions #Origami #PaperFolding #종이접기 #DIY

How to make an easy origami ema (votive plaque)

Origami involves extensive use of the fingertips and helps stimulate the brain, so I imagine many senior care facilities incorporate it.

It also trains fine motor skills and concentration.

Ema (votive plaques) made with origami are perfect for January, making them a great recommendation for origami activities with older adults.

Let’s fold while creasing carefully to create the piece.

If the steps are simple, many seniors will likely be able to participate.

Enjoy adding your own touches, such as writing messages or decorating with New Year-themed stickers.

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[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas to Make at Day Service (41–50)

Three-dimensional Hamaya arrow and Ema plaque made with origami

Hamaya arrows and ema plaques: Introducing a 3D origami crafting method! How about decorating for January in winter with handmade New Year ornaments? [Tsukuru Mon]

Three-dimensional Hamaya arrow and Ema plaque made with origami

Some seniors may also purchase a ceremonial arrow (hamaya) and ema plaques during their first shrine visit of the New Year, right? These are perfect for the New Year, but some older adults may find it difficult to go out.

You can make one by rolling a rectangular piece of origami into a tube, attaching feathers, and decorating it with gold origami—then it’s done.

You could also substitute a paper straw to make it.

Attach an ema made from folded origami to the hamaya to complete it.

Since most of the folds are simple, it should be easy for seniors to make.

Give this good-luck craft a try and make it by hand!

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Ema-style message card

Winter: Praying for exam success with a handmade ema 🙏 [Message Card]

Ema-style message card

Let’s make ema message plaques that can also be used as wall decorations.

Cut the base for the message card—or thick paper or drawing paper—into the shape of an ema.

Ask the seniors to draw illustrations of the zodiac animals or write messages on them.

It’s a great way for their individuality to shine through.

Some may even create them for their family members they live with or for their grandchildren.

The cute finished ema pieces are sure to bring smiles to the seniors’ faces.

Using colored paper to make the ema will give the work a different feel and atmosphere, too.

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