Three Kings Day on 6 January is a lovely chance to stretch the festive season just a little further. In many Christian traditions it’s Epiphany — the day we remember the Magi arriving with their gifts. In France, care homes make a real occasion of it with the galette des rois and proper crowns for whoever finds the fève. DomusVi residences do exactly that: residents decorate kings’ and queens’ crowns in the craft atelier, then wear them for the tasting.
This session is a closed crown — a card band around the head, arches meeting over the top, a soft tissue or crepe dome in the gaps, and stick-on gems along the band. The step-by-step below follows the coronation crown method published by Rhubarb and Wren, adapted for aged care and for the simpler kings’ and queens’ crowns we see in French care homes. I’ve noted an easier two-arch version as well when hands or time are limited.
A short history of Epiphany
Epiphany (from the Greek for “appearance” or “revelation”) falls on 6 January. In Western churches it marks the visit of the wise men — traditionally named Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar — to the infant Jesus. In many countries the day closes the Twelve Days of Christmas. French and Belgian households share a puff-pastry galette des rois with a tiny charm (the fève) baked inside; whoever finds it becomes king or queen for the day and wears a crown. Spanish and Latin American families celebrate Día de los Reyes with processions and gifts. For our residents, the crown itself often sparks stronger memories than the theology — paper hats from Christmas crackers, fancy-dress nights, and being “king” at the table.
Crowns in real aged care
An aged care home in France often prepares crowns ahead of Epiphany, see them here at EHPAD Grand Jardin (DomusVi), staff describe the warm lead-up of making the couronnes, then crowning the day’s kings and queens after the galette. At Domaine du Valier in Colomiers, residents spend Tuesday morning creative workshops fabricating the couronnes des rois before a shared tasting. Closed band-and-arch crowns with a coloured dome look right at home in that setting — worn at the table with a slice of pastry and a glass of cider or juice.
At a glance
| Time | About 35–50 minutes (less if pieces are pre-cut) |
|---|---|
| Group size | 1:1 or small groups of 4–6 |
| Skill level | Staff-led cutting; residents assemble and decorate |
| Best for | Three Kings Day / Epiphany (6 January), January craft tables, reminiscence |
Premium members get the full craft:
- 🧺 The full materials list, centimetre measurement guide and Debbie’s prep tip
- 📋 Clear step-by-step closed crown method, with the easier two-strip option
- 🖨️ A printable A4 PDF with large-print steps and photos, ready to sit beside each resident
- ✂️ Adaptations for limited hand strength, low vision and dementia
- 💬 Conversation prompts for Three Kings Day and crown memories
Here’s a peek at how it starts
1. Cut the pieces. A long headband, four arch strips, two hidden supports, and soft tissue for the dome.
2. Make the circlet. Join the band into a ring that fits the resident — this is the foundation of the whole crown.
Join Premium to unlock this activity and our full library for aged care.
Become our Premium Member to download Three Kings Day Crowns for Seniors
This download is only available to premium members, unlock a world of exclusive content designed to enhance your caregiving journey. Become a member today!
USD $39.12/ Year
30 days money-back guarantee. No question asked.
