Crafting Festive Lanterns at Age Connects Café

Last week at Age Connects Cafe, our group enjoyed a lantern-making session, thanks to a thoughtful donation of recycled jars from a community member on the Penarth Reuse Facebook page. Using these jars as our base, we got creative with acrylic paints and colorful crepe paper, then cut out Christmas-themed silhouettes from black card to create striking shadow effects inside the jars. The result? Unique, festive lanterns that will bring a warm glow this holiday season!

Therapeutic Benefits

This craft was not only fun but also packed with therapeutic benefits:

• Mindfulness and Relaxation: The process of painting and layering paper encouraged focus and relaxation, creating a meditative, calming atmosphere.

• Sense of Achievement: Participants took pride in crafting a beautiful, functional item, boosting self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

• Cognitive Stimulation: Planning the design, selecting colours, and placing silhouettes challenged participants’ problem-solving and planning skills.

This festive lantern-making activity was a beautiful blend of creativity and therapy, helping participants prepare for the holidays with a handmade, meaningful creation!