These Chicago Experiences Make Great Gifts for Her

What are your favorite qualities in the perfect present? If relaxation, making memories and trying something new and creative sound like a fun time for you, you’ll want to try one of these amazing Chicago experience gift ideas for her.

Show your friend, partner, or mom how much you care by personalizing their gift with an experience they’ll love. Identify their favorite hobby or their go-to activity when their looking for things to do in Chicago, and treat them to a creative workshop that matches their interests. They’ll feel supported and uplifted in pursuing their passion or taking time for themselves to learn a new skill.

She can try beginner workshops in crafting, art, food, and drinks! You can even join in on the fun and spend quality time with each other celebrating the occasion. Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts, birthday presents, or anniversary gifts for her, you’ve come to the right place.

A cooking student dumps pink and orange handmade pasta into a pot of boiling water in a pasta making class.

Cooking classes make meaningful experiences

Skip a fancy dinner reservation and try a cooking workshop in Chicago! Spoiler: you’ll still get to enjoy a fantastic dinner created by a professional chef with you as their sous chef! If you have a friend or loved one who is a major foodie or loves to cook at home, they’ll appreciate a cooking class learning new recipes from one of the best chefs in the city.

Gift them a class in their favorite cuisine from Chicago pizza making to a delicious Indian food feast! A cooking class makes for a great alternative to a dinner out or a gift card to their favorite restaurant because they’ll get to learn new skills they can take home with them to use again. Plus they can spend quality time with you if you book for two, which will create a much more meaningful occasion.

Explore craft workshops in Chicago

Was your mom always pulling out craft supplies growing up or is your BFF known to DIY her home decor and everything in between? She’ll love a craft workshop in Chicago. Try a classic such as a candle-making workshop where she can pick out her favorite scents and waxes to create the perfect candle that will put her at peace. If she’s looking for something adventurous, jump on the latest craze with a tufting workshop. She can learn to make her own retro rug, full of personality and life just like herself!

Looking for something a little more grounding? Dig your hands in some clay and play with mud in pottery classes for beginners. Learn wheel throwing basics or how to make a pinch pot mug from friendly neighborhood ceramicists. Spend time among other creatives and get an inside look at your local ceramics studio in Chicago.

There are so many craft workshops to choose from, you’ll be able to find a gift idea for her for every holiday.

A painting instructor and student smile as they scoop paint out of a jar in a painting class.

Painting classes make for fun birthday ideas

Paint and sip classes make some of the most fun experiences in Chicago. Get together with a group of friends or embark on a date night for two at one of these colorful classes. Paint and sip classes make learning how to create your first masterpiece easy with no experience necessary. Your friendly instructor will take you through each step of the process. From sunsets to pet pictures, you can even paint in the dark in a black light paint and sip class.

As you paint, you can chat amongst yourselves and sip on your favorite adult beverage. These classes present a relaxing and carefree environment, the perfect place to get a little creative without any pressure. If you’re looking to host a birthday party, book a private event at the paint and sip studio for a creative birthday party idea for adults. Who said the fun birthday parties had to end in elementary school, let loose with a paint party!

A student in a floristry class holds their dried floral arrangement while she talks to another student

Bask in the beauty of a floristry class

If you’re looking for a stunning setting to celebrate, we can’t imagine anything better than a floristry class. Surrounded by bouquets and blooms, you can treat her to an activity as beautiful as she is.

Floristry is not only fun, but it’s a useful skill to have. Soon you’ll be able to pick up a couple of bundles of flowers and turn them into gorgeous homemade arrangements, floral wreaths for every holiday, and DIY bouquets as gift ideas for your friends and family. These floristry workshops in Chicago make for peaceful, positive, and picturesque gift ideas for any occasion, whether you’re celebrating a bride-to-be and need a charming bachelorette party activity or you want to take your mom out for a lovely self-care day among the roses.

Get creative in a mixology class

If you love celebratory happy hour, why not try a cocktail making class for a change? In one of these mixology workshops in Chicago, a professional bartender will teach you how to craft the best cocktails in the city. Learn everything from the classics to creative cocktail recipes you could never dream to see on a menu!

These classes make for much more engaging activities than a drink at your local bar. You’ll create a memorable experience for whoever you are celebrating. This Chicago experience makes for especially good gift ideas for people who love a specialty drink or liquor, as they can learn more about their favorites and how to craft creative cocktails on their own.