Unique Gift Ideas for Friends Who Have Everything

Discover the perfect antidote to a tough-to-gift friend with unique experience gift ideas in NYC! Whether you have a picky friend, a sustainable friend, or you're simply out of good gift ideas, there’s something for everyone in our list of creative workshops spanning from cooking to crafting!

Some friends seem to have everything, the newest gadget, gear for every occasion, and all the latest trending clothes. Some friends live a more minimalist lifestyle and prefer second-hand items. Either way, shopping for them can be tricky, but we've got you covered with a list of unique gift ideas that they're sure to love. Check out some of the most exciting experience gifts in NYC that both locals and tourists will enjoy!

Change your routine with a hands-on cooking class

Treat your friend or loved one to an unforgettable dining experience to celebrate their birthday or achievements with a cooking class in NYC! If your friend prefers to get their hands dirty over a fancy dress, this is the perfect way to enjoy a 5-star experience without the Michelin-star reservation. You'll be surprised at the fun you will have while simply learning to chop vegetables, knead dough, or pipe frosting.

You’ll still get to enjoy a delicious meal, but you’ll also leave with some new skills and fond memories to go with it. A shared experience of learning something new makes for a more memorable experience than doing something typical to your normal routine. So spice it up with a fun cooking class in your favorite cuisine.

Cooking classes are a great way to learn about other cultures and challenge yourself. From learning your favorite pasta recipes in an Italian cooking class to learning how to make a warm vegetarian curry recipe in an Indian cooking class, there are so many mouth-watering cooking classes in NYC to try! 

Decorate your day with handmade floral arrangements

Floristry workshops make some of the most relaxing creative workshops in NYC. For a friend who loves to soak in the beauty of nature, treat them to one of these flower arrangement classes. They’ll visit one of the charming floristry studios in NYC where they'll learn basic floristry techniques to craft gorgeous handmade bouquets and colorful arrangements.

Flowers make great gift ideas, but a floristry class will take this gift idea for friends to the next level. Not only will they leave with a pretty bouquet but also a few new skills to recreate these natural art pieces on their own and bring some natural beauty to their home on a regular basis. 

Jewelry-making workshops for every style

If yo're hoping to gift something that sparkles for a special gift, a jewelry class in NYC is the perfect fit! There is much more to jewelry making than you might think. In these jewelry workshops, you can even learn silver smithing basics to create your own fine jewelry featuring your favorite gemstones. Learn how to cast silver rings that you’ll never want to take off. 

If you’re looking for gifts for someone with a colorful personality, we offer beading classes, where they can choose a vibrant color palette and create stunning handmade necklaces to match their style. 

With these jewelry-making classes, you’ll never have to worry about gifting a piece of jewelry your friend might already have, as they’ll get to craft their own personalized piece. Even better, these experience gifts in NYC will allow them to step inside a local maker's studio and explore another side of their city. 

Design your own apparel in a screen printing class

While your friend may have clothes featuring all the latest trends, after one of these screen printing classes in NYC, they are guaranteed to have a totally unique outfit. In these workshops, you can learn to design your own art to print right onto a shirt, bandana, sweatshirt, and more! You’ll leave with clothes hand-designed by you, which not many people can say. You’ll also have the skills to keep going with screen printing if you’re feeling inspired. 

These classes are perfect for beginners and your instructor will teach you everything from transferring your design onto the silk screen to creating smooth and colorful prints on your favorite apparel. We offer many different types of screen printing courses, so if you’re itching to try more after your first class, you can find more workshops to hone in on your craft.

If you're friend prefers to shop sustainably or loves a good thrift session, this upcycling screen printing class in Brooklyn will make the best experience gift idea! You are encouraged to bring your own well-loved clothing for a creative refresh! 

Swap craft fair finds for pottery classes in NYC

While a handmade mug is a classic gift idea, if you want to try something new but still support local artists in NYC, trade in the homewares for a pottery workshop in NYC! They’ll be able to learn how to make their own handmade ceramics from hand-built mugs to wheel-thrown bowls. Soon their cabinets will be filled with their own art! 

These classes also make for the perfect excuse to get a little messy and relish the soothing benefits of this hands-on craft. So if you have a friend who needs a break, it’s easy to put away your phone and get into the zone in a pottery class when you’re hands are covered in mud. They’ll feel incredibly rewarded when they get to take home their handmade pottery sculpted from a single ball of clay!

NYC is home to many vibrant studios, talented artists, and delicious eateries and the perfect gift you're looking for might be in a funky studio a subway stop away! We've made it easy to shop and discover all the creative options NYC has to offer right here! Your best friend's next birthday and 2024 gifting season is about to be much more fun with these unique experience gift ideas in NYC!