By Joe HamwayIn this story:
- 1. Play with clay at pottery classes
- 2. Create a heavenly-scented Christmas wreath
- 3. Throw the dough at a pizza making class
- 4. Get tied up in knots with macrame
- 5. Stir it up with a cocktail making class
- 6. Mend with gold at a kintsugi class
- 7. Tuft a cozy rug together
- Spread nothing but creative cheer this holiday season
Holiday decor unboxed, festive tunes in the background, maybe you've even caught a snowflake or two. That can only mean one thing: Christmas gift shopping is officially underway. If your gift list is starting to feel a little overwhelming, Christmas gift experiences are a fun way to make your loved ones smile without adding more stuff to their shelves. Workshops like pottery, cooking, and wreath making are fun, social, and the perfect experiences to gift for Christmas without any stress!
Does your sister get excited about trying the latest cocktail trend? A mixology workshop sounds like the perfect experience for her. Maybe your dad has always wanted to master a classic pizza recipe? A hands-on lesson with a local chef will give him a new skill to bring to the family dinner table.
And there's real science behind all those smiles! A 2024 study in Frontiers in Public Health found that people who made arts and crafts reported higher happiness, greater life satisfaction, and a stronger sense that life is worthwhile! Ready to spread some of that joy to the important people in your life? Get inspired with our favorite experience gift ideas for Christmas below, with picks from coast to coast!
1. Play with clay at pottery classes
Has your partner always dreamed of learning how to make pottery? If you're searching for unique Christmas gifts for adults this year, why not surprise your loved one with a wheel throwing class? These workshops are perfect for beginners and a great introduction to making ceramics in a friendly setting.
A local teacher will guide you step by step, teaching you how to form vessels while staying in control of the wheel and your clay. It’s a fun way to pick up a new skill and meet like-minded people, and the best part comes at the end, when your pieces have been glazed and fired and are ready to take home.
In Chicago, this ceramics workshop in Wrigleyville with Heather McQueen Studio is a laid-back, happy-hour-style way to get your hands muddy just a few blocks from the Friendly Confines. Heather is a ceramic artist with more than 30 years of experience (and a talented drum-maker, too!), and she'll help you shape and paint your own pieces before firing them in the kiln. As one ClassBento guest shared in their glowing 5-star review:
“This class with Heather (owner and instructor) was so great. My wife and I had such a fun time, and we were both able to create and paint two custom pieces. Heather prepared everything for us and gave us tips and tricks along the way... Heather was very nice and inviting, as well as very knowledgeable and passionate about pottery and various art forms. We are already looking forward to booking with her again.” — Chris C.
2. Create a heavenly-scented Christmas wreath
Looking for great gift experiences for a friend? If they have a green thumb or just love the idea of bringing more nature into their life, you can take a wreath making class as a shared experience. And if you're stuck on Christmas gifts for wife ideas, a wreath class she can enjoy with her best friend (or with you!) is a festive winner.
Make a wreath while you learn some floral arranging basics and chat about what's going on in your lives. You'll be surrounded by the smell of eucalyptus, pine boughs, and whatever else you're using to make your DIY wreath. Once you're done, you can hang your creation on your door and think about your time together every time you see it.
In San Francisco, this holiday wreath making workshop with Bold and Sprinkles is a merry way to deck the halls. Host Lucy, a former educator of more than 20 years, guides you through building an 18" grapevine wreath with evergreens, succulents, dried florals, and pine cones, all with hot cocoa, mulled wine, and holiday treats on hand. It's booked as a private event for groups of 20 or more, which makes it a festive pick for an office holiday party or a big friend gathering! One ClassBento guest summed it up in their 5-star review:
“Omg, I loved this class! It was fun and festive. I went with my partner, and we had such a fun time... great group event, 5 stars!” — Samuel R.
3. Throw the dough at a pizza making class
If you've been lucky enough to visit Naples, you know the birthplace of pizza is one of the best places to visit in Italy. You can have that iconic taste with a cooking class that doubles as a pizza party! Your teacher is a local chef who will teach you how to make pizza dough from scratch. You'll get all the tips and tricks for creating a tasty sauce, stretching and tossing your dough, and getting the perfect bake. Your homemade pizza pies will never be the same again, and you'll love sharing this gift of experience with family and friends.
Cooking classes make some of the sweetest gift ideas for couples this Christmas, too! It gives them the opportunity to enjoy a creative date night together, where they can bond over a new challenge and create new memories. Not only will they enjoy a delicious meal in class, but they'll also have new cooking skills and a homemade pizza recipe to take home, which makes these some of the most delicious date night gifts around!
In NYC, this pizza making cooking class near Herald Square with Selfup NYC has you kneading dough, stretching fresh mozzarella, and topping your own pies before they bake to golden perfection. It's designed for groups of 12 or more, so gather your crew for a holiday pizza party that'll have everyone saying “that's amore!” As one ClassBento guest put it in their 5-star review:
“It was an amazing class with lots of fun. The teacher was awesome! We had a great time learning, doing, and eating :) We cannot wait for another class.” — Bahar P.
4. Get tied up in knots with macrame
This retro craft has made a huge comeback, and if you have a friend or coworker who loves trying new crafts, macrame would make an excellent Christmas experience gift. A handmade plant hanger for a shared apartment is also one of the most useful gifts for couples who love filling their home with greenery. You'll get all the supplies when you show up to class, so all you have to do is roll up your sleeves and get ready to make a lot of knots!
In the Bay Area, this macrame plant hanger workshop in Oakland with Antonia Lara Sanchez is a playful, plant-filled pick set inside an adorable plant shop. Antonia is a Chilean interdisciplinary artist and former design educator who believes in the healing nature of art, and she'll teach you three knots (square, spiral, and gathering) so your custom hanger fits your favorite pot perfectly. It's also a sweet way to celebrate someone special, as one ClassBento guest shared in their glowing 5-star review:
“This was perfect! I booked a class with Antonia for my mom's birthday; it was 3 of us, a nice intimate, pretty much private session, which allowed more hands-on support with Antonia. She provided all the materials and instructions. We were able to make macrame for the first time, and they were super cute and sturdy. We also bought some cute plants from the store. I highly recommend!” — Leah U.
5. Stir it up with a cocktail making class
It's hard to kick off the holidays without a celebratory drink of some kind! Mixology classes let you learn from a bartender in a festive setting. Curious about easy cocktails to make for Christmas? Bring your coworkers or your closest friends to a workshop and get the inside track on all the latest recipes.
These are some of the most social experiences to gift for Christmas, because they're all about hanging out, having fun, and enjoying a night out around a shared experience. Even if there are people in your group who don't drink alcohol, many cocktail workshops are inclusive and happy to help everyone join in on the fun.
In Manhattan, this classic and creative cocktails class in Midtown with CocuSocial is led by master mixologist Carolyn. She'll demo a classic martini and lavender lemontini, a margarita and spicy margarita, and an old fashioned and mesquite smoked old fashioned, then you'll team up with a partner to mix your two favorites and head home with a recipe e-booklet for your own bar cart. Remember that cocktail-loving sister? One ClassBento guest took hers for a birthday outing and shared in their 5-star review:
“I took my sister here for a birthday outing, and we had a blast! Carolyn was informative, fun, and creative. This was a wonderful class with different options, cocktail history, and warmth from the instructor. I would highly recommend!” — Heather C.
6. Mend with gold at a kintsugi class
For the thoughtful soul on your list, kintsugi is a beautiful way to slow down and create something meaningful. This centuries-old Japanese art repairs broken ceramics with golden seams, celebrating every crack as part of the story. It's a reflective, creative, and surprisingly joyful experience to share with someone you love, and one of the most heartfelt gift experiences for Christmas you can give.
In Los Angeles, this kintsugi class in Mar Vista with Kat Kusumori-McDowell blends the ancient art with a modern twist, and your instructor will guide you through each step so you can walk away with your own golden-mended piece. One ClassBento guest who gave it as a gift shared in their 5-star review:
“I thoroughly enjoyed this class with my nephew, which I gave him as a belated graduation gift. It was such a special and meaningful experience for us to share together! Kat was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about the art of kintsugi... We had a wonderful time, learned a lot, and walked away with our own kintsugi pieces and a special memory together. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking for a unique and meaningful experience!” — Stephanie N.
7. Tuft a cozy rug together
If your loved one lives for colorful decor and a little bit of adrenaline, rug tufting is pure creative fun! Armed with a tufting gun and a rainbow of yarns, even total beginners can turn a simple design into a soft rug or piece of wall art in a single afternoon. Hands-on classes like this are some of the most memorable activities as Christmas gifts, because everyone walks out proudly carrying something they made.
In San Jose, this rug tufting workshop downtown with Mr. Scientist lets you choose from over 130 designs and 99 vibrant yarns, then fire up the tufting gun after a quick group intro. Your host, a self-described scientist and musician who loves blending art and science, finishes your piece with complimentary backing and shaving so you can carry your fluffy masterpiece home the same day. It's one of our favorite experience gift ideas for Christmas for couples, friends, and teams alike. Just ask this ClassBento guest, who shared in their 5-star review:
“Overall, a great experience. It was a gift to our friends, and they loved it!” — Dhara P.
Spread nothing but creative cheer this holiday season
Convinced that Christmas gift experiences are the way to go this holiday season? Whether your giftee lives in Seattle or Santa Monica, a ClassBento gift card lets them choose the class and date that suit them best. It's the easiest way to wrap up experience Christmas ideas for everyone on your list, from your crafty coworker to your foodie best friend. After all, the best experiences to gift for Christmas are the ones you can laugh through together!
Also, ClassBento donates to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) with every booking, so your gift spreads a little extra joy!
So spread some creative cheer, book a workshop with your favorite people, and make this the year of Yule-tide memories. With these experience gift ideas for Christmas, your holidays are sure to be merry, bright, and wonderfully hands-on!
