By Dan WardIn this story:
If you’re looking for new ideas for unique gifts for your nearest and dearest in 2026, why not give workshop experience gift cards a try? Not only are experience gifts the lucky recipient’s ticket to a whole world of crafty goodness but they also help support your local community by giving back to the crafters and creatives that enrich all of our lives.
Once you’ve known someone for a while, it’s easy to fall into the habit of buying them variations on the same gift each year — after all, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? But while your giftee might appreciate that bottle of perfume or pair of socks, an experience gift will give them memories they can cherish for a lifetime, plus some nifty new skills to boot.
Whether dad is a burgeoning crocheter, your best mate has been eyeing up some painting lessons or mum wants to throw down with some pottery classes, you’ll find craft classes in London, Manchester and all across the country that’ll make anyone’s Christmas truly unforgettable. Here’s why they make the best gifts.
You’ll be giving back to the local community
Discover the vibrant world of creative and culinary arts in your local community! By gifting a workshop experience to friends and loved ones, you'll help passionate small businesses thrive while spreading awareness of the incredible artistic talent flourishing across the country. These unique experiences support local entrepreneurs and inspire creativity, making them the perfect meaningful gift.
And they're brilliant for all kinds of occasions, big and small. Looking for fun things to do as a couple? Treat your other half to some cooking classes and discover a new way to enjoy some quality time together! No matter where your tastes lie, from classic comfort food to fresh new flavours from across the globe, you’ll love learning some new skills together with your significant other, whilst discovering new foodie hotspots in your city. It’ll also cut down on arguing over whose turn it is to cook — you’ll have fun sharing the load!
Maybe you’ve been looking for a way to get the gang together over the festive period. Why just go out for drinks when you could be learning to paint at the same time? Paint and sip classes make brilliant experience gifts for groups: they’re fun, beginner-friendly and easy to adapt to groups of any size or skill level. Whether you’re after the vibrant party atmosphere of a city centre bar or want something a bit more chilled, there are paint and sip parties all across the country that’ll give local businesses a much-needed boost, spark your creativity and create some priceless memories with your besties.
Savvy gifter Margaret Keane treated her granddaughter to one of our gift cards and loved the simplicity of the process:
"Gift Card purchase for my grand-daughter's 17th Birthday just before Christmas: THANK YOU for a super idea and for a swift and straightforward process! So helpful not to have to set up yet another account with yet another password and the whole thing, including printing the special voucher, completed in a few minutes--fantastic!"
They’re the gift that keeps on giving
While physical gifts are undoubtedly nice, especially if you take the time to find something the recipient will really love, they don’t last forever. By getting your loved ones some experience gifts this Christmas, they’ll be making memories that’ll last long after the festive season is over. From one-of-a-kind foodie experiences in Edinburgh to brilliantly boozy Bristol cocktail classes, there are unique gifts out there to suit everyone on your gifting list this Christmas.
Know a friend who was always doodling in the margins at school? Treat them to a drawing class and reawaken those artistic instincts! They may not have considered taking lessons themselves, or perhaps didn’t think they had the time. But with talented artists teaching all kinds of art classes in the UK, it’s easier than ever to find artistic gifts for the creatives in your life. Whether it turns into a hobby for life or is just a one-off dabble, they’ll pick up some nifty art skills, explore their local creative community and make some wonderful memories
It doesn’t have to be a solo experience, either. Whether you want to reconnect with dad over some casual cooking classes or bring along the whole family for some hands-on fun at a jewellery making workshop, doing something creative together is a fantastic alternative to the usual get-together.
Samantha Syer – one of our lovely community of crafters – chose a gift card for her son and was thrilled with how easy the process was:
"Super easy to buy and send my son a gift card for his birthday last year and he loved the pottery class. So much so that we’re doing it again this year but he’s doing the next level - Kintsugi!"
Experience gifts are brilliant — even at the last minute
We’ve all been there: no matter how prepared you try to be for festive gifting, sometimes life gets in the way and you leave someone’s present a little too late. Don’t panic! You don’t have to do a last-minute mad dash to the nearest shop and pick up any old thing. Our gift experience vouchers can be delivered via email, so they’re ready whenever you are.
They’re also brilliant if you want to reduce your stress levels this Christmas (and who wouldn’t?). Instead of having to track down that perfect gift in the shops, or wondering when or if it’ll show up when you order online, you’ll have personalised, truly special gifts for all your nearest and dearest sorted without having to set foot in a crowded department store.
Whether you get an experience voucher delivered virtually or opt for a physical card (because let’s face it, it’s nice to open things on Christmas day!), they’re also a brilliant option to cut down on plastic waste. By eschewing single-use packaging, particularly of the plastic variety, you’ll be doing your little bit for the environment, as well as your local crafting community. Whether you’re all joining in together or you’ve tailored your experience gifts for mum, dad and the whole family, giving experiences is a fun, sustainable alternative to physical gifts this Christmas. Plus, with all the time you save on wrapping, you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy with the people you love most — and that’s a tradition we can get behind!
