[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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[For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January (131–140)
lion dance
The lion dance, an essential part of celebrations and festivals, is also a New Year’s tradition.
This origami craft lets you make a lion dance figure to welcome the year in a festive way.
Since the basic process is cutting pieces to shape and gluing them on, it’s easy to try even if you’re not especially handy.
Another plus is that the body, made from torn pieces, can be put together somewhat roughly and still show off unique character.
Crayons add a warm, crafty feel, and you can also switch up the drawing tools to enjoy your own originality!
ema (votive wooden plaque)
Making ema (votive plaques) is a wonderful craft that seniors can enjoy together.
Cut a pentagon from cardboard or thick paper and draw any design you like.
Adding origami cranes or daruma dolls will make it feel even more like New Year’s.
You can also write your New Year’s resolutions or wishes on the back.
To make it easier for seniors to participate, it’s a good idea to prepare a sample in advance.
Through making ema, you can enjoy a pleasant time while sharing memories from the past.
It would be lovely to share the joy of welcoming the New Year with handmade ema.
snowman
This is a recommended craft for seniors who love snow.
January, right in the heart of winter as we welcome the New Year, is a time when some regions are blanketed in snow.
A paper-craft snowman makes a cute ornament that brightens up a room and lifts the spirits.
One example of how to make it uses a three-dimensional structure: cut and fold construction paper into identical shapes, then stack and glue 16 pieces together.
Once you get started, you may find yourself so absorbed that you lose track of time.
Even in places without snow, you can still enjoy a cozy winter atmosphere.
sea bream
Sea bream (tai) has long been famous as a good-luck symbol in Japan, thanks to its auspicious red color and the pun on its name.
If you want a lucky wall decoration to start the year, try creating a bold sea bream display to set a festive New Year mood! Cut red construction paper into the shape of a sea bream, then cut and paste pieces for the dorsal fin, scales, and more.
It’s a very simple wall decor idea.
You can also make and add items that enhance the celebratory feel—like a lucky mallet or a folding fan—out of colored paper and arrange them around the fish.
A ceremonial arrow with an ema (wooden votive plaque) attached
A decorative New Year’s bow with an ema plaque—how lovely! Some of you may have bought one at the end of the year or during your first shrine visit.
With traditional Japanese ema and hamaya (ritual arrows), you can create an authentic New Year’s atmosphere.
You’ll make the bow using paper straws and construction paper, and the rest of the materials can be found at 100-yen shops.
The crafting process requires concentration and dexterity, but it’s said to offer brain-training benefits and a calming effect as well.
Why not make a handmade hamayumi with an ema, filled with your wishes and hopes for the new year? It’s not only easy and fun, but also a wonderful piece that lets you feel the tradition.
kagami mochi (traditional Japanese New Year rice cake decoration)
When it comes to New Year’s, kagami mochi is a must! You often see it in illustrations and cute decorations.
If displaying a real kagami mochi is a bit difficult but you’d still like to enjoy the vibe, how about making it as a wall decoration? For the mochi part, create a rounded, voluminous look using the flower pom-pom method: cut paper into fan shapes, roll them, and glue them together into a sphere.
Make the decorations—like the daidai orange, urajiro fern, and folding fan—out of origami.
With its dimensional feel and celebratory look, it’s the perfect wall decoration for January.
Snow rabbit wall decoration
The snow rabbit wall decorations are lovely! The soft, fluffy three-dimensional feel is really important.
Older adults will likely enjoy taking their time rolling the tissues.
The flower arrangements sound interesting, too.
It’s also nice that there are two options—dot stickers and construction paper—so you can choose what you like.
With these seasonal decorations, the room will look bright and festive.
Let’s have fun making them together and create wonderful memories.
Using your fingertips is said to help stimulate the brain as well.
How about taking your time and making them together with older adults?