By Joe HamwayIn this story:
- Learn DIY crafts from a family-run studio
- Make a Christmas wreath that blooms for years
- Stir up the fun with a holiday cocktail class
- Paint and sip your way to a canvas masterpiece
- Throw clay and get messy at a local pottery studio
- Cook up a family recipe with a local chef
- Let them choose with a gift card that gives back
The holidays are a big season for small creative businesses, and Christmas gift experiences are one of the sweetest ways to show local artisans some love! If you're hunting for Christmas gifts that give back, a hands-on class puts your holiday budget straight into the hands of the artists, chefs, and makers who teach them.
From soy candles poured into upcycled wine bottles to dumplings folded from a treasured family recipe, these workshops are a fun way to learn new skills from local creatives. Each pick below introduces you to a real teacher in a different city, so you'll know exactly who your gift is supporting.
It's a win for wellbeing, too! A 2024 study in Frontiers in Public Health of more than 7,000 adults found that creating arts and crafts was linked to higher happiness, greater life satisfaction, and a stronger sense that life is worthwhile!
Whether you're planning a festive family gathering or you need work Christmas party ideas, ClassBento has something for everyone. So we've done the work for you and rounded up seven feel good Christmas gifts that'll help your loved ones leave the stresses of the season behind and embrace a little creative joy.
1. Learn DIY crafts from a family-run studio
There are so many skills you can learn from artists and makers in your community. Does pouring your own custom candle sound like a cozy way to spend an afternoon? Sure, there are videos you can watch at home, but nothing beats being in the same room as a maker who can slow down and show you every detail.
In Chicago, this wine bottle candle making class in Pilsen with Chicago Candle Co is a true family affair. Husband-and-wife duo Sara and Fernando grew their business from a small kitchen project (Sara once melted wax in a microwave and poured candles into mason jars!) into a full candle studio. You'll upcycle a wine bottle into a vessel, blend scents for your own soy candle, and finish it with flower petals and a little glitter. As one ClassBento guest shared in their glowing 5-star review:
“Such a fun time and such a great class. This is a GREAT date night idea or an idea to do with friends. Fernando was so kind and funny and passionate about candle making... 5 out of 5!” — Andrew G.
Handmade by a local family, these are community Christmas gifts that warm two homes at once. If crafts are your jam, you can also try woodworking, jewelry making, mosaics, and so much more!
2. Make a Christmas wreath that blooms for years
Who doesn't love the sight of a gorgeous Christmas wreath? They add so much festive energy, whether you hang one on your door or inside your home. A wreath making class with a local floral artist gives you the supplies and techniques to fill a hoop with seasonal color, plus the skills to DIY more decor for holidays to come.
In Seattle, this holiday wreath paper craft class in Magnolia with Olivia He puts a creative twist on tradition. Olivia crafted her very first crepe paper rose at age eleven, and when her cat refused to share the house with real plants, she fell even harder for paper blooms. In a small group of up to 8, you'll layer paper greenery, holly, berries, poinsettias, and snowflakes into a cheerful wreath that'll brighten your mantel all season long.
Since paper flowers are pet-friendly and hypoallergenic, this is one of the most helpful Christmas gifts for a friend with allergies or a curious kitty. It also makes a great workshop for gathering with your girlfriends or to take with your mom and sister.
3. Stir up the fun with a holiday cocktail class
If you're after good experiences to give as gifts that'll get your friends together, it's hard to beat cocktail classes. You'll learn from an expert mixologist who walks you through the techniques you need to shake like a pro and add a seasonal splash to the classics.
In Los Angeles, this winter holiday mixology class in Downtown LA with TalkTales is all about bringing people together. The women-owned team built TalkTales around one big idea: connecting folks through the craft and history of cocktails. Your bartender-turned-teacher will guide you through three wintery, citrus-based shaken drinks (mocktails on request), and private groups of 5 or more can even have the mixologist come to their space for a merry night in. As one ClassBento guest raved in their 5-star review:
“Our teacher was great! He took time to teach us while also giving us some insight based on his experience. He also left time for us to get to know each other... The drinks were also really good. Highly recommend!” — Tony R.
Cheers to that! Raising a glass with a small, local business is one of the most festive Christmas gifts that give back.
4. Paint and sip your way to a canvas masterpiece
Think you don't have the skills to paint anything, much less cover a canvas with beautiful art? With the guidance of a local artist, you'd be amazed at what you can achieve. You'll appreciate having a glass of your favorite wine while you learn the painting basics in a relaxed setting.
In NYC, this studio sip and paint class in Williamsburg with Elena Chestnykh welcomes you into the cozy Brooklyn studio of a professional exhibiting artist, right by the Morgan Av L train stop. Elena also mentors teens building their art school portfolios, so you're learning from someone who loves watching beginners grow. Pick watercolor or acrylic, sip a complimentary welcome drink, and paint alongside just 5 other guests. One happy ClassBento couple summed it up in their 5-star review:
“The class was very enjoyable and fun, and Elena was a great teacher! My wife and I are very happy with our finished paintings as well!” — Dylan D.
This is one of the best experience gifts for Christmas for anyone who's always wanted to nurture their inner artist but wasn't sure where to start. Paint and sip workshops also make fun team building activities if you want to show your appreciation for your coworkers at the end of the year.
5. Throw clay and get messy at a local pottery studio
It's not easy to learn pottery on your own, so this is the ideal skill to gain with an expert. Get comfortable in front of a pottery wheel with the help of a local ceramics teacher, and meet other students excited about picking up this creative hobby. Be sure to wear clothes you can get messy in because clay can get everywhere!
In the San Jose area, this hands-on pottery wheel class in downtown Campbell with Art Beat Studio comes from a women-owned studio that's been a creative hub for the neighborhood since 2005. Their motto is a lovely one: “when art inspires people, inspired people change the world.” In a small group of up to 8, you'll learn to center your clay and shape a piece that's uniquely yours, laughing through the wobbly moments along the way. One ClassBento guest, who booked it as a present, shared in their 5-star review:
“We really enjoyed this experience. It was great to learn the techniques and create our own pieces. It IS challenging and fun to see improvements across the class time. The instructor was patient and skillful. He seemed able to fix whatever mess we made as first-timers! We did this as an ‘experience’ birthday gift for a friend.” — Angela N.
Every mug or bowl becomes a daily reminder of a local studio, which makes pottery one of those Christmas gifts that give back long after the holidays.
6. Cook up a family recipe with a local chef
Looking for ideas to give back at Christmas that also fill bellies? A cooking class lets you practice a festive meal before the big day while supporting a chef who's sharing their own heritage.
In San Francisco, this dumpling dinner party cooking class in Hayes Valley with Eddie Lo serves up a heartwarming backstory. Eddie grew up in his mom's kitchen, watching her fold dumplings while she shared memories of her own mom and grandma, and he later learned these dishes at his parents' Chinese restaurant. Now he's keeping those handmade traditions alive by teaching you to make dough from scratch, fold the classic 13-pleat crescent, and mix your own secret dipping sauce before you feast on everything you made. As one ClassBento student raved in their 5-star review:
“Eddie was a great teacher! Funny, engaging, and broke down the process in a fun and understandable way. Eating your creations at the end of class is a good motivator to take constructive criticism and improve! Definitely a fun date night and experience. Highly recommend!” — Kyle Q.
Christmas presents that give back don't get much tastier than this!
7. Let them choose with a gift card that gives back
Not sure which class your giftee will love most? A ClassBento gift card lets them pick from more than 9,000 creative classes at a time that suits them, so every booking still lands with a local teacher. Also, ClassBento donates to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) with every booking, so your gift supports mental wellbeing in communities across the country, too. It's one of the simplest ways to give back for Christmas without leaving the couch.
The holidays are a time when we can put our focus back on community, and supporting artists in your city is a beautiful way to do that. You'll also meet people who are curious about art and expanding their skills, which makes these workshops a fun place to learn and a cool spot to make some new friends. Of all the Christmas gifts that give back, a class might be the one that keeps on giving all year!
So go ahead and deck the halls with handmade cheer, pour your heart into a candle, and wrap up the season with a little extra jingle for the makers who make it merry. Happy holidays, and happy creating!
