![[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/9YvKpkR8lKc/maxresdefault.webp)
[For Seniors] January Craft Ideas for Day Service Activities
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 (1–10)
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.
Daifuku smile
https://www.tiktok.com/@karitasunosato/video/7196584301750668546This is a large-scale game of fukuwarai that you can enjoy like playing darts.
You toss the facial parts onto a large sheet with an outline of an Okame face to complete it.
You can play while seated, and there’s no need for a blindfold.
However, since the throwing positions are fixed, you’ll need to adjust your throwing strength so the mouth pieces land closer and the eye pieces land farther.
In other words, control is key.
It’s also important to throw the pieces horizontally so they don’t flip over, so keep that in mind and have fun.
Daffodils made with a template
Let’s make narcissus flowers that bloom from fall to winter and feel the winter season.
First, draw the shapes of the white petals and the yellow center on a template, and roughly cut them out along the outlines.
For the petals, glue two sheets of white construction paper together; for the center, use one sheet of yellow construction paper.
Then cut both pieces precisely along the template lines.
On the yellow piece, make several small slits around the edge.
Add slight creases to the petals to give them a three-dimensional look, and assemble the parts.
For the yellow center, fold the slit sections upward.
Finally, attach the stem and leaves made from green construction paper, and you’re done!
temari (Japanese handball/embroidered decorative ball)
How about making a charming, nostalgic temari ball using scrap paper and old newspapers as the core? Crumple up newspaper tightly, adding more paper and rolling until it reaches your preferred size.
Shape it with clear tape, and once it’s round, wrap rubber bands around it.
Then wind yarn in your favorite colors over the top.
Use the rubber bands as guides to wrap in a cross or in a radial pattern—create any design you like.
If you have a young grandchild, they might be delighted to receive it as a gift.
Plum blossoms made with origami
Try making plum blossoms with origami! The red-and-white color scheme is perfectly auspicious for the New Year.
Cut your origami paper into a pentagon and fold it to create five petals.
It involves fairly detailed work, so it might feel challenging at times, but that makes finishing it all the more satisfying! The alternating, overlapping petals give it a lovely three-dimensional look.
It’s also said that fine motor activities help stimulate the brain.
Make plenty and decorate the whole facility with vibrant color!
Winter Wall Decoration: Snow Rabbit
This is an adorable wall decoration perfect for the cold season.
By tracing a template onto construction paper and gluing on craft cotton, you can create a fluffy rabbit that looks like snow.
Its soft texture is so inviting to the touch that just looking at it warms the heart.
Use decorative pom-poms for the eyes, and attach cut origami paper for the ears to add dimension and charm.
Despite the simple materials and steps, the finished snow rabbit brings a distinctly wintry atmosphere when displayed on the wall.
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.