Christmas Events Cancelled? Kick Off the New Year with Some January Festivities Instead

Just when we thought it was safe to don our party hats and crack open the cocktail shaker, it seems like, once again, Christmas traditions in the workplace are now firmly off the menu. Whether the new guidance means you’re back to endless Zoom meetings and typing from your kitchen table, or your company Christmas party has been put on the back burner due to social distancing, don’t despair – with our range of Christmas gift experience ideas you can buy now and celebrate later. All hail the January Christmas party! 

With all of its Christmas activities, festive parties and celebrations, December is traditionally the most fun time of year in the workplace; whether you’re a web designer, waiter or warehouse manager, there’s plenty to look forward to. So if you were bracing yourself for a big yuletide bash, planning a spectacular secret Santa surprise or just looking forward to playing Quizmaster at the annual office trivia contest, the news that Christmas events are cancelled has probably left you feeling more no-no-no than ho-ho-ho. But before you unleash your inner Grinch, hear us out – rather than forgetting the festivities completely, save them up for January instead and start the new year with some belated yuletide fun rather than unrealistic fitness goals and a depressing diet. We know which we’d prefer!

January is famous for being the bleakest month of the year; the twinkly lights and decorations have been packed away, the weather is usually terrible and the Christmas cheer has run out. So while having to delay your usual workplace festivities was probably the Christmas surprise that nobody wanted, it could actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Everyone has more free time, and a few cool experiences will take the dullest month in the calendar from drab to fab for sure! If you really want to treat your hardworking team, ditch the usual restaurant plans and explore our range of experience gifts in the UK; from cocktail shaking in Sheffield and cake baking in Birmingham to getting creative with blooms, brushes and beeswax in Bristol, there’s something for everyone!

Shake up new year with a cocktail making class

Dinner and drinks might be an old favourite when it comes to celebrating the festive season, but why not think outside the box and give your team a truly tree-mendous treat to start off the new year instead? After the disappointment of cancelled Christmas activities and with an incredibly challenging year behind them, we think they deserve something a little bit special – so let them shake up a storm and master mixology with a cocktail making class instead! 

Got a group of gin connoisseurs to cater for? We’ve got a range of gin tasting sessions, cocktail making classes and even distillery tours that will surprise and delight the whole team, while those more into their vodka will love our mixology classes dedicated to mastering the perfect martini. Keen to keep a clear head? If you or your team are keeping it alcohol free, don’t worry – our range of mocktail classes and virgin drink blending experiences feature all of the delicious flavours and fresh ingredients but without the added tipple, so you can still join in with the fabulous festive fun! 

Led by professional bartenders and mixology maestros, our cocktail making classes are available across the whole of the UK; so whether you’re looking for fun Edinburgh activities, cool Bristol workshops for your hard working team members or ways to say a belated ‘Merry Christmas’ in Manchester, we’ve got you covered. If January rolls around and you’re still working from home, don’t sweat it – we’ve got plenty of virtual cocktail making classes which are ideal for remote teams, so you’ll all be able to celebrate the delayed festive season from the comfort of your own homes (pyjamas optional!).

Tantalize your teams tastebuds with a cooking class 

The team that cooks together, stays together – that’s the saying, right? While a visit to your favourite restaurant might be off the cards this Christmas, you can still indulge your taste buds and whet your appetites with one of our cooking classes or foodie experiences. From sourdough bread baking in Bristol to learning how to cook fresh linguine in Leeds, and even virtual cooking classes for remote teams across the UK, we’ve got something for everyone – and we mean everyone!

If you’re a team of total culinary novices, our beginners’ cooking classes will teach you and your hungry team members everything you need to know to ditch the takeaways; from basic cooking skills and knife techniques to choosing and using the freshest ingredients, you’ll all soon be sauteing your way to success. Keen to spice things up? We’ve got you covered with a range of Indian cooking classes and Asian culinary experiences that will help you all whip up cracking curry, decadent dumplings and spectacular stir fries in no time. For the eco-warriors who are keen to leave meat behind and go on a dairy detox, why not take the opportunity to have the ultimate vegan experience and join in with Veganuary 2024? Our vegetarian and vegan cooking classes are a great introduction to the world of planet friendly cooking, and will teach your workmates how to create delicious vegan food from scratch – trust us, it’s easier than you think! 

Held at sleek, modern kitchens across a variety of locations in the UK, our cooking classes are led by professional chefs, cater to all tastes and make the perfect belated Christmas party for your team. Learn to toss dough and whip up a traditional Italian pizza, host your own version of The Great British Bake Off by learning how to master the art of cake decorating or fire up the BBQ and learn how to grill the best meat, fish and vegetables you’ve ever tasted. Bon appetit!

A floristry experience will help them unwind with nature

Did you know DIY wreaths are for life, not just for Christmas? You might have missed the boat for the ultimate traditional Christmas activity, but the great news is that we’ve got a whole range of floristry classes and flower arranging workshops that will satisfy even the most passionate plant parent in your team!

Still fixed on the idea of wreath making? Don’t worry – although the Christmas wreaths might have been packed away, we’ve got a great range of DIY wreath classes that can be enjoyed in January (and February, March, April…..). From dried flower wreaths that will stand the test of time (and look as good in July as they do in December!) and greenery wreaths made from fabulous seasonal foliage, to succulent wreaths made from perfect perennials, our floristry pros will have your team cultivating their green thumbs in no time!

More into foliage than flowers? If you’re keen to green up the office space, whisk your team off to one of our plant care classes where you and your workmates will learn everything they need to know to turn the finance department into a lush jungle! From kokedama classes and glass terrarium workshops which will teach you all how to create and care for your own miniature ecosystems (the perfect addition to any desk!), to more detailed floristry experiences that will educate you on propagating and caring for your houseplants, we’ve got something special for every budding gardener!

If you don’t fancy those, you could also try….

If your team doesn't fancy shaking the night away at a cocktail making class, getting creative in the kitchen with a culinary experience or getting their hands dirty at a floristry workshop, we’ve still got plenty of craft classes to help you with your belated festivities...

• Get creative with clay at a pottery class; learn how to handbuild a clay pot, whip up a new mug for your morning coffee or hold your own version of The Great Pottery Throwdown and crown someone the King or Queen of Clay!

• Unleash your inner Picassos at a fun paint and sip session; learn how to paint a perfect portrait or lovely landscape and enjoy a cheeky tipple (or two!) at the same time.

• Whisk your hard working team off for a group wine tasting session, distillery tour or whisky experience, complete with local sightseeing and a slap-up lunch (post activity nap optional!).

• Help them unwind and get a little more zen with a yoga class, meditation workshop or aromatherapy candle making session. The ultimate in relaxing activities, they’ll finish the experience feeling calm, collected and ready to take on whatever 2024 has to throw at them!