[For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January
We’d like to introduce wall decorations that are perfect for January, the month when we welcome a brand-new year!
We’ve gathered auspicious New Year–themed pieces as well as works that let you feel the season of January.
Many January decorations feature vibrant colors that will brighten up your space.
We offer a wide range: items you shape by hand, projects with simple steps, and pieces that require fine finger work.
New Year’s decorations often feature traditional Japanese motifs such as shimenawa and shishimai.
Some older adults may find themselves reminiscing as they create.
Why not enjoy making them while sharing stories and memories?
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- Recommended winter wall decorations for seniors: heartwarming ideas
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- [For Seniors] January Activities and Recreation Games
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
[For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January (91–100)
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.
Tatsu-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.
Fluffy snow rabbit 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.
Fluffy chenille wish plaque (ema)
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.
Coffee filter idea ema (votive plaque)
When it comes to ema (votive plaques), the five-sided shape is the most familiar, but there are also versions inspired by auspicious motifs like fans.
Here’s an idea for an ema that evokes a fan shape, using a coffee filter.
The base is made with a simple step—cutting off the edge of a coffee filter—and then adding decorations such as the zodiac animal.
Since the base is thin, even if it’s somewhat soft, layering the decorations well is key to achieving a beautiful finish.
Think about balance as you place the decorations, including where to write your wish.
Long-tailed tit and red berries
The long-tailed tit, which lives only in Hokkaido, has pure white, fluffy plumage and beady eyes that are irresistibly cute—its fanbase is reportedly growing fast! How about using this adorable bird as a subject for torn-paper collage? Bird motifs can seem tricky, but the long-tailed tit’s round shape makes it easy to tear and approachable for anyone.
You can also draw in the finer details—like the beak, feet, and branches—with a pen.
Adding red berries as an accent color will give your collage a charming, atmospheric finish.
Felt kadomatsu
Let’s try making a kadomatsu using warm, cozy felt fabric! You can make it without sewing, and since you’ll be using your fingers a lot, it’s perfect for finger dexterity training for seniors.
Cut out each part—pine, bamboo, and plum—from felt, then attach them with a glue gun or similar adhesive.
A good tip is to make the bamboo first as the base, then arrange the other plants while checking the balance.
Watching it gradually take on the look of a kadomatsu will likely be exciting for seniors, too.
You can also enjoy customizing it, such as by changing the decoration colors!