Creative Christmas Gift Guide

There are so many wellbeing benefits from expressing your creative side, so these gifts are sure to bring smiles to their faces.

Learn a new creative skill

Whether it’s wool, paint or ink, your loved one can discover how to create some beautiful pieces…

Brush Lettering For Beginners (teaandcrafting.co.uk, £55, London)

This beginner’s brush lettering calligraphy workshop can be described as a more relaxed form of modern calligraphy and this class will teach them everything they need to know. This is also perfect for anyone wanting to use brush lettering for wedding invitations, menus, artwork or envelopes.

Popup Painting For Two (£60, virginexperiencedays.co.uk, 35 venues across the UK)

This course for two would be a great way to spend some creative quality time together. Led by qualified and practising artists, these informal experiences use popular and iconic works as inspiration for each event. artists will be on hand to provide step-by-step guidance as you each set about creating masterpieces of your own. paint as you please, with as much or as little support as you want.

Macrame plant hanger (virginexperiencedays.co.uk, £70, Brighton or London)

Discover the art behind creating macramé plant hangers with this expert-led workshop. Learn how to make a total of three knots, before putting your knowledge to the test and creating your own fully knotted macramé hanging planter by hand. At the end, you’ll be able to take home your finished macramé plant hanger, as well as lots of useful insider tips on the basics of macramé work, so that you can continue the creativity back home.

Make your own Tassel Earrings (myo.place, £50, London)

Perfect for trendsetters and jewellery lovers to learn everything about the art of handmade earrings. no experience is required, they just select their favourite tassel colour, wire material and decorative beads, and in two-and-a-half hours they’ll be wearing their own unique creations!

Make your Own Lino Printed Cushion Cover or T-Towel Creative Workshop (virginexperiencedays.co.uk, £35, London)

On arrival, you’ll begin by exploring the incredible library, home to over 1,000 books on arts and crafts. Then it’s on to the creative stuff – with the guidance of an expert teacher, you’ll learn about traditional lino cutting techniques and put your skills to the test with your own lino design, which you’ll print on to a cushion cover or tea towel. You’ll leave with your new creation as well as your lino stamp to take home.

Introduction To Crochet (ministryofcraft.co.uk, £32.50, Manchester)

This workshop is the perfect initiation into crochet if they’re looking to learn the craft but don’t know how to get started. They will learn some basic stitches and techniques, then, using what they’ve learned, make a beautiful granny square. it’s suitable for complete beginners or for those looking to refresh their skills.

Beginners Watercolour Painting – Blossoms (teaandcrafting.co.uk, £47.50, London)

Learn how to capture the movement and feeling of flowers, using fun and easy painting techniques. Find out about about the different paints, colour mixing, brushes and papers, before you learn how to effectively create single stems of flowers and leaves, and combine them into a floral posy painting. You’ll be guided throughout the workshop and given tips on how to develop your own unique style, and will take home a colour chart, practice sheets, a list of useful resources, and a pretty painting for your wall.

Craft Boxes

Craftiosity Craft Kits (From £20 a month, craftiosity.co.uk)

Each month, Craftiosity will send your loved one a completely new kit with a modern vibe, to make beautiful things for their life and home. It could be book-binding, ceramics, cyanotype printing – or something completely different! All kits come with the essential tools and materials in the box, step-by-step instructions to make something they’ll love, and online tutorials they can replay at leisure.

Craftpod (From £23, craftpod.co.uk)

Combining a love of nature and crafting, Craftpod is a creative subscription box that celebrates each season through a selection of interesting craft projects and other treats, all in one handy, letterbox-friendly package. There is also the makings of a delicious cup of tea tucked into the box, so they can enjoy that while crafting. You can sign your loved-one up to a year’s subscription (four boxes – one for each season) or buy them just one box to try.

Makerly (From £15 a month, makerlycrafts.com)

A subscription box for people who love to make stuff! Makerly scour the craft-sphere to bring you kits from their favourite makers and designers, always championing indie artists and unique ideas. Each kit is lovingly put together, containing all the materials, instructions, patterns and tools you need to complete each months surprise project. Past boxes have included jewellery making, DIY fairy lights, gemstone soap kits, and qullling.

Tickets

Renegade Craft Fair (renegadecraft.com, Dec 15-16 2018, London)

A festive celebration of contemporary handmade, featuring the country’s foremost voices in craft and design. Shop emerging and established Makers’ goods, discover rarities, get creative while workshopping, and end the day with a cocktail!