[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas: Boost Your Luck with New Year Decorations and Good-Luck Charms

New Year’s shimenawa wreath

[Senior Recreation] Easy New Year’s Shimenawa Wreath Using Newspaper [Craft/DIY] New Year decoration

Let’s make a festive shimenawa, an essential New Year’s decoration, using easy-to-find materials.

Crumple up some newspaper, twist it into a coil, and shape it into a circle to use as the base.

Wrap the base with crepe paper and glue it in place, then attach lucky-looking parts you’ve made separately—such as a fan and camellia flowers—to finish.

Because the steps are simple, it’s a craft that lets you come up with your own design, from the colors you choose to the decorations you include.

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kappamaki

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New Year’s origami

[New Year Origami] How to fold a cute and easy-to-make daruma

Let’s try folding a daruma doll using a single sheet of origami paper! The steps are simple, but you’ll end up with a cute daruma.

Once it’s done, draw the face with a pen or use round stickers—try different expressions and enjoy customizing it! Origami is said to stimulate and activate the brain by using your fingertips and thinking through the next steps.

It’s also easy to do while chatting with others, which helps spark social interaction.

Please make use of origami daruma to create a delightful time for older adults.

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Nakajima Junko

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Shimenawa wreath decoration

Paper Cord: How to Make the Base for a New Year’s Shimenawa Wreath Decoration

Let’s use paper cord from the 100-yen shop to make a shimenawa wreath decoration! Unlike store-bought items, it will have a handmade feel that you’ll grow attached to.

Spread out the paper cords to form a bundle and twist it clockwise, then twist that bundle counterclockwise.

Next, prepare another length twisted clockwise and wrap it around the first bundle.

Finally, shape it into a wreath and you’re done! Add plum blossoms, mizuhiki cords, folding fans, and more to create a wreath brimming with originality.

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miyabi

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Tatsu-daruma

[Origami Year of the Dragon] How to Fold a Dragon Daruma / How To Make an Origami Dragon Daruma

Let’s make a dragon daruma inspired by the zodiac animal of 2024, the dragon.

It features a dragon with a rounded, daruma-like shape.

Dragons have long been cherished as legendary creatures.

And you can easily craft this dignified dragon with origami! All you need are things like origami paper, glue, a pen, and stickers—simple supplies you likely already have at home.

Draw the character for “good fortune” on the dragon’s belly to invite luck.

Since it’s three-dimensional, it also makes a great decorative piece for your room.

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Nanaka

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Fluffy snow rabbit wall decoration

[Winter Craft] Fluffy Snow Bunny Wall Decoration♪

When it snows, you can’t help wanting to make a snow rabbit.

A snow rabbit is also a great motif for winter crafts! Try creating a soft, three-dimensional snow rabbit using tissues.

Crumple a few tissues to form the base of the snow rabbit, then wrap it with one more sheet to give it a fluffy look.

Add red round stickers for the eyes, cut out ears from origami paper and attach them, and it’s done! When displaying it on a wall, you might combine it with construction paper cut into a tray-like shape for the background, or decorate it with plum or camellia flowers and snowflakes for a lovely finish.

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miyabi

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menko (a traditional Japanese card-and-coin-flipping game)

Easy! Origami: How to make a paper menko [tutorial]

Let’s make a traditional toy, menko—familiar to many seniors—using origami! After you make it, how about enjoying a fun game of menko with your family or everyone at day service? You’ll create parts from two sheets of origami paper and combine them at the end.

By changing the color combinations, you can transform the look and finish with a charming menko! It’s perfect for New Year’s activities at day service or for making together with your grandchildren, so give it a try!

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miyabi

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Fluffy chenille wish plaque (ema)

Gen Hoshino says “Let’s dance at home,” and we say “Let’s make it at home♪ Let’s make ema♪ Let’s make them as a family.” (This is a how-to video from Kanone Junior High on making handmade ema craft plaques.)

It’s an ema plaque with a three-dimensional feel, as if the area outside the written wishes is framed by a softly wrapped chenille stem (pipe cleaner).

Cut the panel into the shape of an ema, then make an inner cut and hollow it out.

Wrap the chenille around the outer frame, punch a hole at the top of the inner piece, cover the entire inner piece with construction paper, thread the chenille through the inner hole, tie it, and fit it in place to complete the whole piece.

Have everyone write their wishes on the inner construction paper.

With the frame thoroughly decorated, the wishes written on the inside are nicely emphasized.

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kappamaki

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