The 9 Best Gifts for Arts and Crafts Lovers (that They've Probably Never Tried!)

Exciting news – if you've got a crafty soul to buy for this year, we've got some awesome experience gift cards that will definitely help you out! Whether you're on the hunt for a cool birthday present for your crafty friend or a creative Christmas treat for your partner, look no further. We've got a wide variety of classes and workshops that make for the best surprise for your loved ones who love getting stuck into anything arty!

Check out our top picks for one-of-a-kind activity days that will surely make any crafty person jump for joy. With so many options, you're bound to find the perfect gift for anyone!

How to pick the best gifts for arts and crafts lovers

Let’s be honest: buying for a creative soul can feel a bit daunting. Do they need more yarn? Have they already got that specific type of kiln? Instead of trying to guess their secret stash requirements, the trick is to focus on the experience of making itself. Whether they're a total pro or a curious beginner, the best gifts are the ones that spark some excitement in the studio.

Here is how to choose a winner that’ll have them reaching for their apron in no time:

• Think about their mess tolerance: Does your recipient love the tactile, squelchy joy of wet clay, or would they prefer the clean, precise lines of calligraphy? Matching the craft to their personality – whether that’s messy and expressive or calm and clean –is a great place to start.

• Go for a newbie-friendly vibe: Even for a seasoned maker, there is something so refreshing about being a total beginner again. Look for a beginners craft workshop that offers a completely different medium to what they usually do. If they knit, try pottery; if they paint, try silversmithing!

• Consider the take-home factor: Some people love the process, but others really want a finished piece of decor to show off. A creative taster day that results in a tangible item – like a hand-poured candle or a silver ring – offers that instant sense of achievement that makes a gift feel extra special.

• Prioritise flexibility: Life gets busy, and hobbies shouldn't feel like a chore. The reason a craft gift voucher is such a hit is that it lets them choose the when and the where. It’s the gift of a free afternoon, entirely on their own terms.

• Check the location: While many of us love a little trip away, picking a voucher that can be used at a local studio makes it much easier for them to actually get stuck in. Plus, they might just meet a community of fellow makers right on their doorstep!

• Look for social vs solo vibes: Some people want a chatty, high-energy experience (like a paint and sip night), while others might prefer a quiet, meditative session like Kintsugi. Think about how they like to recharge their batteries!

1. Treat them to a stone carving workshop

If your special someone enjoys getting crafty and has a knack for DIY projects, why not encourage them to explore a new avenue of creativity with our exciting two-day stone carving workshop in Birmingham? Perfect for those who enjoy trying something unique and have a passion for preserving traditional skills, this workshop is an enjoyable way to learn the art of stone carving and create a beautiful sculpture in just two days. Let their creativity shine!

The workshop details

What?: Two day stone carving workshop

Where? Amerton Arts Studio in Birmingham

How much? £140

What will they learn? They’ll get hands-on with traditional mason’s tools like the dummy and chisel, learning exactly how to 'read' the stone and carve with confidence. Over the two days, they'll master everything from roughing out a basic shape to adding those fine, intricate details that turn a raw block into a stunning 3D sculpture.

While you're in town...

Whisk them off to Middleton Hall and Gardens, to take in the beautiful house and grounds – and browse the independent business trading from the Courtyard. Afternoon tea and aromatherapy oils? Sounds pretty good to us!

2. Give the bride a send off to remember with a naughty sewing class

Do you have a friend who's about to tie the knot and is a bit of a wild one? Instead of going for the usual bachelorette party accessories, how about stepping it up and signing up for one of our fun sewing class experience days? Swapping out negronis for needles might sound unexpected, but who wants to stick to the same old dinner and drinks routine? Treat your bestie to a unique and memorable experience by joining a cheeky nipple tassel making hen party. It's the perfect mix of cocktails and creativity for a night to remember. Trust me, it's a win-win celebration for everyone involved!

The workshop details

What?: Nipple tassel making class

Where? London

How much? From £35

What will they learn? The lucky bride-to-be and her crew will master the cheeky art of construction, from cutting perfect circular bases to attaching those all-important swinging tassels. They’ll get to play with a treasure trove of sequins, feathers, and gems, learning how to decorate their creations for maximum sparkle and sass!

While you're in town...

The teacher for this workshop is mobile and can travel within 50 miles of London – so the sky is the limit! We recommend setting up camp near the Fashion and Textile Museum, though – plenty of stitching inspiration in there!

3. Turn them into a furniture designer with a woodworking class

If your favourite person is all about interiors and loves getting creative, why not treat them to a super fun wood workshop in London? They can unleash their inner designer and make their own unique stool from scratch – it's the perfect gift for someone who enjoys getting crafty and wants to add a personal touch to their home decor. Say goodbye to boring flatpack furniture and DIY mishaps!

The workshop details

What?: Stool making class

Where? London

How much? £150

What will they learn? They’ll get to grips with traditional joinery as they measure, mark, and saw their way to a sturdy piece of furniture. Under the watchful eye of a pro, they'll master the art of the perfect finish, learning how to sand and oil the grain to make that timber truly sing!

While you're in town...

After they’ve finished the workshop, they can wander over to meet the resident goats and donkeys, or grab a farm-to-fork lunch at the award-winning café. It’s the perfect place to sit back, soak up the rustic vibes, and admire their handiwork while surrounded by some beautiful countryside. 

4. A blacksmithing class will let them have fun at a forge

Do you have someone special in mind who loves to get crafty and go all out with their projects? If your loved one is into trying new and bold things, why not surprise them with a unique birthday or Christmas gift and signing them up for a blacksmithing course for beginners? They'll travel back in time and immerse themselves in the world of a rural forge – the perfect gift for arts and crafts lovers who like to dive into something totally unexpected!

The workshop details

What?: Blacksmithing course for beginners

Where? Manchester

How much? £175

What will they learn? They’ll get right into the heat of things, learning how to manage a traditional coke forge and heat steel until it’s glowing and malleable. Under expert guidance, they’ll master essential techniques like drawing out, upsetting, and twisting, using a hammer and anvil to transform a raw metal bar into a beautiful, functional piece of ironwork.

While you're in town...

Treat your hungry budding blacksmith to a rejuvenating feast at The Mill, St Catherine's Park, where they'll be able to take in the beautiful surroundings before settling down to breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. With a range of seasonal dishes packed full of locally sourced produce and a selection of hot and cold drinks, you'll be spoilt for choice!

5. Make your favourite homebody happy with a cosy tufting class

Buying for someone who loves nothing more than to feather their nest? Then leave the shop-bought decor behind this year and treat them to a half day tufting workshop in Manchester instead, where they'll learn to make their very own handcrafted rug. Perfect for cosy toes or livening up blank walls!

The workshop details

What?: Half day tufting workshop

Where? Manchester

How much? From £110

What will they learn? In this hands-on Manchester workshop, they'll master the art of using a tufting gun to loop yarn into a custom design on a stretched canvas frame. Under expert guidance, they'll learn how to select the right yarn weights, map out a pattern, and apply professional finishing techniques like gluing and backing.

While you're in town...

Head out for a celebratory meal at gorgeous Porta in Salford, a brothers-owned tapas restaurant serving deliciously simple dishes where the quality ingredients speak for themselves.

6. Let them get hands-on with a pottery throwdown

Is their kitchen cupboard crying out for some soul? Skip the department store ceramics and gift them a beginner’s pottery class where they can finally live out their claymaking dreams! They’ll get messy at the potter’s wheel, learning to wedge clay, centre their piece, and 'pull' the walls to create a bespoke mug or bowl. It’s a meditative, messy, and soul-soothing way to spend an afternoon – and they’ll have a glazed masterpiece to show for it!

The workshop details

What?: Beginner's wheel throwing taster class

Where? Manchester

How much? From £55 including one fired piece of pottery

What will they learn? They'll master the foundational skills of wheel-throwing, including wedging clay to remove air bubbles, centring it on the spinning wheel, and using their hands to shape and pull the clay into functional forms like bowls or mugs.

While you're in town...

Make the most of any good weather and have a stroll along Ashton canal towpath, where you can take in boats, buildings and beautiful scenery!

7. They'll make a lasting impression with a lino printing workshop

For the homebody who loves a gallery wall, a lino printing class is the ultimate creative spark! They’ll learn the satisfying art of carving their own unique designs into linoleum blocks before inking them up and hand-pressing them onto high-quality paper or tote bags. It’s a fantastic way to master a new skill that they can easily take home to the kitchen table, turning every birthday card or piece of wall art into a handcrafted labour of love!

The workshop details

What?: Lino printing workshop

Where? Birmingham

How much? From £30

What will they learn? The workshop covers the full relief printing process, from transferring a sketch onto the block and safely using carving tools, to mixing inks and using a brayer to achieve a perfectly even print.

While you're in town...

Fuel up before class at The Early Bird Bakery nearby, with a coffee and one of their decadent cakes or pastries – twice baked pistachio croissant, anyone? 

8. Treat them to a future heirloom with a ring making class

We think the best gifts for arts and crafts lovers are those that leave them with precious mementos, so the next one is a real treat. Give them the chance to wear their heart on their sleeve – or rather, their finger – with a ring making class. Whether they opt for a hammered texture or a sleek minimalist finish, they’ll leave with a piece of high-end jewellery and the bragging rights of having made it themselves from scratch!

The workshop details

What?: Silver ring making workshop

Where? Glasgow

How much? £125

What will they learn? They'll be introduced to traditional silversmithing bench tools, learning how to anneal (heat) metal, use a blowtorch for soldering joins, and apply various texturing techniques before finishing with a high-shine polish.

While you're in town...

Grab a takeaway coffee and then head to Glasgow Green to enjoy the monuments, fountain and plenty of green space to stretch your legs.

9. They can dive into a world of colour with a terrazzo tray session

If they’re obsessed with stylish interiors, they’ll adore diving into the colourful world of Jesmonite workshops, they’ll learn to mix their own custom pigments and crush chips to create that iconic speckled effect in a decorative tray or coaster set. It’s fast-paced, incredibly fun, and uses sustainable materials, making it the perfect eco-friendly way to add a splash of bespoke colour to their bedside table or coffee station.

The workshop details

What?: Jesmonite trinket tray and ring holder workshop

Where? London

How much? From £50

What will they learn? Participants will learn the chemistry of working with Jesmonite, including how to cast into silicone moulds, create custom colour palettes, and the essential sanding and sealing steps that reveal the beautiful terrazzo chips hidden inside.

Ready to wrap up the perfect creative experience?

Whether they’re a serial hobbyist or a total novice looking for a new weekend passion, these workshops are the ultimate way to show you care. Forget the clutter of another store-bought trinket – give them the gift of a new skill, a messy apron, and the sheer pride of saying, "I made this!" From the rhythmic thud of the tufting gun to the soothing spin of the pottery wheel, these experiences are more than just classes; they are the start of a whole new creative chapter. So, go ahead and pick the craft that matches their personality, and get ready to see their inner artist shin

Read here to find out how you can support local creatives this Christmas with experience gift cards!