Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
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.

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?

[For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January (11–20)

origami octopus

A New Year tradition! How to fold a kite [An explanation of an easy way to fold origami]

origami octopus

Do you know the origami “octopus”? With just a few simple steps, you can make an adorable octopus.

It’s a familiar pastime for many older adults and can evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Some people may recall childhood memories as they make it together.

Since origami can be done while seated, it’s easy to enjoy while chatting with those around you.

If there are any tricky steps, staff can provide support along the way.

Displaying the finished origami octopuses around the facility will create an even brighter, more cheerful atmosphere.

It would be wonderful if older adults can spend an enjoyable time with this activity.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Display the first calligraphy of the year

Calligraphy (Kakizome) Recreation at a Care Facility — Yui no Ki (a residential paid nursing home in Nagoya)

Display the first calligraphy of the year

Many adults don’t get much chance to do kakizome (the first calligraphy of the year).

Since it’s the New Year, how about enjoying kakizome together as a recreation and turning the works into a January wall display? You can choose any words you like for your kakizome—anything goes! Seasonal phrases like “Welcoming Spring” or “Happy New Year,” four-character idioms, or your New Year’s resolutions are all great options.

For many, it’s probably been a while since doing calligraphy, so practice plenty and pick your best piece to put on display.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Ume plum checkered pattern

Kimie Gangi’s New Year decoration: “Checkered Plum Pattern” — Japan New Year Ornaments

Ume plum checkered pattern

Plum blossoms are often used as New Year’s decorations.

Seeing the small, delicate blossoms may bring a sense of calm even to many older adults.

Here, we introduce a checkered plum-blossom pattern that looks lovely displayed alongside other New Year-themed crafts.

A checkered pattern consists of intersecting squares in two colors, and in this version, we’ll place plum blossoms inside the squares.

By combining origami cut into plum-blossom shapes with the blossom-shaped cutouts left over from cutting, you can create the checkered design.

Try pairing it with various New Year or January-themed projects.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

battledore (a traditional Japanese decorative paddle used for New Year, also used in the game hanetsuki)

[Craft Idea] Hagoita (Japanese battledore) decoration – Japanese Hagoita crafts (New Year, January, winter) (activities for seniors/day services) (preschool/educational) (creative occupational therapy) (wall decoration) (easy) (DIY)

battledore (a traditional Japanese decorative paddle used for New Year, also used in the game hanetsuki)

These are New Year’s decorative hagoita (battledores) made using A4 drawing paper or chiyogami as the base.

With the freedom to choose patterns and parts, each person can create a unique hagoita.

Asking about how they were made and the maker’s special touches can spark conversation, making this a great activity for group recreation.

There are endless ways to craft and customize the parts, so try experimenting while referring to various videos.

Hagoita are also traditionally gifted to baby girls celebrating their first New Year.

They look beautiful hung on the wall to create a festive atmosphere, and they make a wonderful present for your granddaughter as well.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

shimenawa decoration

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

shimenawa decoration

Speaking of shimenawa decorations, you often see them hung at many homes’ entrances for the New Year, right? This idea turns that shimenawa into a wall decoration.

Shimenawa are traditionally made by braiding rope, but this version uses kraft paper, so it’s easy and fun to make.

Glue two sheets of kraft paper together to form a rectangle, crumple it into a ball, then smooth it out and roll it from the edge into a long, thin shape.

Shape it into a shimenawa, and you’ll have it finished in no time.

Enjoy customizing it by adding plum blossoms, fans, or paper cranes made from origami!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[For Seniors] Recommended Wall Decorations and Crafts for January (21–30)

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem