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Make it the most memorable holiday season yet with our unique experience gifts in NYC. New York is home to endless fun and festive activities to celebrate the holidays! Why not gift a chance to explore what the city has to offer with these Christmas gift experiences. Instead of material things, you’ll provide your friends and family with precious memories and cool new skills, while exploring New York in a whole new way.
Engage your loved ones with cooking courses in a professional kitchen, craft classes with local makers, or cocktail-making with a fun mixologist. Every workshop is beginner-friendly and designed to draw out your creative side. There’s no need for prior knowledge because the welcoming teachers will offer expert guidance every step of the way.
If your bestie needs some holiday cheer, NYC experience gifts are the best kind of pick-me-ups. Pottery making and DIY jewelry crafting are brilliantly meditative, grounding anxious minds with repetitive hand movements and immersive techniques. Plus, flower arranging reconnects city dwellers to the abundance of the natural world – you'll feel a sense of calm when surrounded by sweet-smelling fragrances, vibrant colors, and brand-new friends.
Read on for our favorite experience gift picks in NYC that will let you avoid the Christmas rush at stores and focus on creating lasting memories instead.
1. Art Classes for DIY Christmas Decorations
Off-the-shelf ornaments and baubles can be super expensive, especially when you’re looking for ones that are a little more special than the usual box set. This is why we love art classes where you can learn how to make personalized DIY Christmas decorations. You’ll save money in the long run and be able to give all the people in your life a holiday masterpiece to cherish for years to come. Book a class with all of your friends for a way to hang out before the hustle and bust of the holidays.
If you know someone who cannot resist the lure of Christmas cookies, a decorating workshop with a pastry chef is an amazing experience. They’ll get to learn all the techniques they’ve looked up on YouTube but with the guidance of an instructor right there. Not only will your recipient get to take home some cookies, but they’ll also have the skills to create their own designs with the new skills they’ve learned.
Do you know someone who’s gotten into hand lettering or watercolor painting? They can expand their skills to create handmade cards to give out during the holidays. Our art workshops are great for anyone who’s just starting out or even has a few skills under their belt. You can give this unique experience to all your crafty loved ones and let them choose the date and time that works best for their schedule. Gifting doesn't get any easier than this!
2. Engaging cooking classes to level up Christmas dinner
Who says turkey or ham is required on the holiday menu? If you and your loved ones prefer alternatives, check out cooking classes in NYC that put an emphasis on learning in a fun setting. Not that there's anything wrong with traditional meals! You can learn how to make the perfect turkey too. But if you like food adventures, a class learning how to make dim sum or street tacos will put a new spin on holiday dining. You can expand your knowledge even more with vegan recipes, gluten-free baking, or Japanese desserts. In New York, the possibilities are endless.
Desserts are another way to take your holiday meal to the next level. Learn how to make Buche de Noel or create chocolate bonbons to share. Our baking classes have a wide variety of subjects and you can finally learn how to decorate a cake or bake macarons like a patissier.
3. Festive flower arranging and DIY wreaths for your door
If you know any proud plant parents who delight in their green babies, you can't go wrong with flower arranging workshops and Christmas wreath making classes. Not only will they acquire amazing new skills, but they'll find peace of mind in the middle of the holiday chaos.
Flower arranging classes can be a tranquil getaway from holiday stress. There's no room to worry about present buying, securing an office party venue, or family drama when fully immersed in weaving and wiring. The heavenly scents transport the senses and make your class a relaxing haven. A magical Christmas wreath making class lets you use fresh or even dried flowers and branches to create a colorful display for your door. Our NYC workshops make great experience gifts because you can getaway from the day-to-day and focus on something soothing. When you're done you have something lovely to take away and new skills to keep going.
If you're ready to find something that nurtures your loved one's wellbeing and encourages creative play, give a unique experience gift this Christmas and find one for yourself too!
4. Cookie and cake decorating classes for festive treats
Cookie swaps, gingerbread house competitions, grandma's famous pie recipes... there are so many festive treats that remind us of Christmastime. Whether you want to practice for your next family gathering or you simply want to enjoy the warm and fuzzy vibes of a day spent in the kitchen, a cookie or cake decorating class is perfect for both!
From learning how to decorate cookies with holiday designs to enjoying family time while decorating a cake together, you can enjoy a little sugar, spice, and everything nice in one of these festive workshops.
5. Mixology classes to bring the holiday spirit
Level up your hosting game by becoming a mixology master in a holiday cocktail making class! Or if you're looking for Christmas gift ideas for adults who are always the life of the party, this is the perfect gift. You can learn how to make holiday cocktail recipes that will be a delight at your next Christmas party.
These cocktail classes also make for great holiday team parties! If you're looking for ways to celebrate the end of the year with your coworkers, treat them all to a day of mixology! This will invite them to relax, connect, and enjoy themselves after a busy year.
