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These gift experience ideas for mom in NYC include a delightful range of workshops designed to make you smile and have some fun with your mom in the Big Apple! Whether it's exploring a new hobby together or simply spending quality time, we've got you covered. Show her your love and appreciation with these thoughtful gift ideas hosted by passionate makers and creatives across New York City.
With a hands-on workshop in NYC, you can enjoy an experience day out together doing something fun. It will mean the world to her to have your undivided attention in a craft class or cooking workshop. With workshops all across NYC, from Italian cooking in Greenwich Village to pottery workshops in Williamsburg, you can find a creative workshop in your neck of the woods!
It will also allow both of you to take a moment to relax and enjoy the moment! Stress less and book an engaging workshop where you can create memories and take home a handmade creation, master a skill, or learn a new recipe.
1. Make handmade keepsakes in a pottery class
If your mom loves to try new things, treat her to a pottery class in NYC. In a pottery class, not only will you learn a few new skills and get the opportunity to dig your hands into some mud without any weird stares, but you also can create meaningful handmade goods.
Create slab mugs in a hand-building class or learn how to shape a bowl in a wheel-throwing workshop. After your class, you’ll have a handmade token to remind you of each other and the wonderful day spent together. You could even make something for each other as a special handmade gift you’ll cherish for years.
Interested in something a little different? Try a Kintsugi class! You can mend family heirlooms or a meaningful ceramic and turn it into a beautiful piece of art.
2. Paint and sip classes make great gifts for anyone
If you and your mom have more different interests than you do similarities, find common ground in a paint and sip class. These classes are taught in a casual and friendly environment with absolutely no experience or commitment necessary. Paint and sip classes are well-loved by many, even those who haven’t picked up a paintbrush since grade school! You can ease any tension with a relaxing lesson and a delightful glass of wine. Simply enjoy a soothing couple of hours in a creative and positive atmosphere.
These easy painting lessons will allow you to create something you’re proud of even if you aren’t the artistic type. Or at the very least you’ll have a good laugh learning how to paint while sipping on your favorite beverage!
You can even make it into a mother/child outing with a group by inviting your friends to bring along their moms for a fun social day!
3. Upskill in a textiles class
Is your mom already an avid knitter, superstar quilter, crochet queen, or sewing master? Treat her to a textiles workshop! While she may already know a thing or two about the medium, this will give you the opportunity to learn more about her interests. She’ll appreciate the thoughtful idea, and who knows maybe you’ll discover a new hobby you’ll be able to share with her.
You can also introduce her to new ideas which will hopefully inspire her own craftwork. Explore tufting classes in NYC or try a punch needle workshop, which might excite her to put her scrap yarn to use! Show her a fabric dyeing class where she can learn to use natural dyes or learn shibori techniques to incorporate into her quilts or hand-sewn clothes. You can find more picks for cool arts and crafts experience gifts for mom here.
Even if she’s not crafty, she can still enjoy one of these workshops, because they are perfectly tailored to beginners. You’ll learn from an expert and leave with a finished product ready for wear!
4. Add some flair to your gift idea with a cocktail-making class
Take your happy hour to the next level with a cocktail-making class. Rather than enjoying a simple drink or two together, you can extend the time together with an interactive lesson on how to make your own cocktails. Your bartender will spend time with you to help you discover your favorite concoctions. You'll learn the best liquors to use with your favorite flavors and vice versa. You can even turn it into a fun experiment with your mom to create a custom recipe to commemorate the special occasion.
For someone who’s known you longer than anyone else in your life, it can be hard to find new things to learn about one another. A fun activity adds a twist to your typical outing and will spark new conversations and create new memories!
At the next family party, you and your mom can whip out the shakers and chasers and impress all your guests with the magic concoctions you made in class.
5. Spice up your dining experience with a cooking lesson
Whether your mom loves to be in the kitchen or is more of a takeout and frozen meals kind of gal, you can both learn to have fun in the kitchen in a cooking class in NYC.
Not only is a cooking class an exciting activity, but you’ll also learn useful skills for everyday life. Try new recipes that will quickly become staples in your home kitchen! Next time, dinner at mom’s house will be something to look forward to and it might make you more inclined to lend a hand.
Choose your mom’s favorite cuisine– she can learn anything from pasta making from scratch to how to roll sushi rolls. There are so many delicious menus to try! Your class is taught by a professional chef, which will ensure a delicious meal to finish off the afternoon or evening. Whether or not your mom was previously a wiz in the kitchen, mom's cooking will definitely be your go-to after this cooking class in NYC!