Stories
Inspiration on unique activities and gifts, mindfulness and more
Holiday Favourites: Gina Mason, Growth Partner
By ClassBento Team
Get to know the faces behind ClassBento and discover which workshops have made it to their top of their Christmas wish list!
9 Awesome Gifts for Aunties Who Value Quality Time
By ClassBento Team
Discover experience gifts for an aunty that will have her smiling from ear to ear – making memories together beats a boring box of chocolates!
Best Gifts for Men Under $100
By Jana Lepojevic
The best gifts for men under $100 aren’t things. Explore unforgettable experience gifts for him, from whisky tastings to art classes.
Guys Gifts Ideas for Every Type of Guy
By Tiffany Fung
Stuck on what gifts to get him? Discover guys gift ideas for every type of guy that he will want this year, whether he's a curious observer or a grounded man.
Your Guide to Fun and Unique Things to Do in Melbourne Next Month
By Tiffany Fung
Ready to shake up your plans? Discover quirky, hands-on things to do in Melbourne next month—from painting your pet to crafting a rug you’ll treasure.
Why a Wine Tasting Voucher Is the Perfect Gift for Every Occasion
By Tiffany Fung
Celebrating a special occasion? Wine tasting experiences are the perfect choice when it comes to memorable moments and quality time with loved ones.
Make Your Wife Feel Special with These Anniversary Gifts for Her
By Tiffany Fung
Celebrate this amazing milestone with these anniversary gifts for her. From pottery to jewellery making, you’ll find an endless list of options to surprise her.
5 Romantic Activities for Couples That Aren't Dinner and a Movie
By Jana Lepojevic
Transform date nights with romantic activities for couples! Try pottery classes, barista courses, cooking adventures and more for a fun and creative experience.
Why Cocktail Classes in Melbourne Are Perfect for Every Event
By Sam Bowden
Fun, social and a little bit boozy, cocktail classes in Melbourne are the perfect, hands-on activity for every occasion!
Gifting Sorted with These E Gift Card Ideas
By Jana Lepojevic
Make gift-giving easy with these e-gift card ideas. Fun, creative and memorable experiences for birthdays, Christmas, or just because.
Why Experience Gifts Are My Favourite Holiday Tradition
By Laine Fullerton
Skip the wrapping paper this year! ClassBento Australia's Head of Content shares why experience gifts are the best way to create lasting memories.
Gift Ideas for Her to Suit Every Special Occasion
By Tiffany Fung
Explore unique and thoughtful gift ideas for her. From romantic jewellery classes to relaxing perfumery courses, find the perfect present she'll adore.
Support Local with Fun Experience Gifts for Her in Melbourne
By Tiffany Fung
Treat the special lady in your life to our creative experience gifts for her in Melbourne and let them discover all the city has to offer!
7 Ways Wine and Painting Classes Can Boost Your Wellbeing
By Tiffany Fung
Explore 7 ways wine and painting classes can boost your wellbeing, reduce stress and build your confidence, with fun, creative workshops all across Australia.
Everything You Need to Know About Pottery
By Julia Carr-Catzel
Discover everything you need to know before trying pottery classes in Sydney, from ancient techniques to beginner-friendly tips and creative inspiration.
Customised Gifts for Her She'll Actually Use
By Tiffany Fung
Discover customised gifts for her she’ll actually use, from candle and pasta making classes to mindful art workshops. Thoughtful, creative and truly personal.
Expand Your Creativity with Australia's Top Craft Classes
By ClassBento Team
Unlock your creativity in 2026 with the top craft classes in Australia! From pottery to bullet journaling, discover mindful hobbies for a vibrant, focused year.
Nourishing Experience Gifts for Women Who Need a Little Me Time
By Tiffany Fung
If you have a special lady in your life who’s looking for some TLC, now is the time to treat her to a little “me time” with these experience gifts for women.
Fun and Festive Gift Experiences for Women
By Jana Lepojevic
Looking for a present for a special lady? Explore a variety of festive gift experiences for her that will inspire her creative spark.
20 Chilled Out Hens Party Ideas
By Annie Symmonds
Explore serene hens party ideas tailored for the low-key bride-to-be of 2026! Find hens party activities to suit every member of the bridal crew.
How to Throw Crafty Kids Parties in Melbourne
By Sam Bowden
Organising kids activities in Melbourne? ClassBento has a few party ideas for kids that'll blow everyone's socks off
Why Team Building Cocktail Classes in Melbourne Work So Well
By Sam Bowden
Cocktail classes in Melbourne are the refreshing recipe you need for team building success, where you can have fun and bond with each other outside the office.
The Best Cheese Making Lessons for Cheese Lovers
By Jana Lepojevic
Love cheese? From creamy ricotta to gourmet brie, cheese making lessons offer flavour, fun and handy new skills. Ideal for date nights, birthdays or a fun weekend.
Is Creativity the Cure for Loneliness?
By Laine Fullerton
Discover the science behind the power of creativity and connection.
Top Eco-friendly Presents for Couples in Melbourne
By Kellie Maloney
Show love to your favourite pair and the planet with these unique gifts for couples in Melbourne and make them smile with everything from vegan cooking to Kintsugi.
How to Build Better Boundaries If You WFH
By Courtenay Turner
Discover how to relieve stress, reduce the likelihood of burnout and improve your overall mental and physical wellbeing.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
By Laine Fullerton
What lessons have you learned from the women in your life? Here’s four makers whose mothers and grandmothers inspired them to pursue a creative career.
Friendsmas Food Ideas That Pair Perfectly with Creative Experiences
By Erica Genda
Elevate your Friendsmas with delicious bites paired with festive activities. From pottery dates to pasta classes, find the ultimate holiday menu.
Top Employee Engagement Ideas for 2026
By Erica Genda
Need some fresh ideas for employee engagement? Get creative with these 9 unique activities to help your team bond and have fun in the process.
6 Creative Hen's Day Activities to Make Your Party Unforgettable
By Jana Lepojevic
Make your hen’s day unforgettable with creative hens party activities. Try pottery, collage and more for a memorable celebration with friends.
Become a Barista Pro in the Coffee Capital of Australia
By Kellie Maloney
Take your love of coffee to the next level and learn how to make the best coffee at barista classes in Melbourne. Become a barista pro in Melbourne!
Birthday Presents for Dads Who Love to Cook
By Annie Symmonds
Get Dad feeling empowered in the kitchen with these birthday gift for Dads in Australia, from Mexican cooking classes to pasta making workshops.
Beginner Photography Classes in Melbourne
By John Tabari
Explore Melbourne and practice capturing the true essence of this city with beginner photography classes in Melbourne. Smartphones or DSLR's, all are welcome.
Engagement Gift Ideas That Celebrate Love
By Jana Lepojevic
Discover thoughtful engagement gift ideas for couples. Fun workshops, creative experiences and sweet indulgences to celebrate their love story.
10 Reasons to Gift Experiences for Her in Melbourne This Year
By Tiffany Fung
Looking to treat someone special this year? Here are 10 reasons why workshops should be at the top of your gift ideas list for her.
How to Plan a Team Building Event Your Team Won't Hate
By Erica Genda
Want a team building event they'll actually love? Discover stress-free planning tips to boost morale, spark laughs and create unforgettable memories!
First Time Dad Gifts for Every Kind of New Father
By Jana Lepojevic
Celebrate fatherhood with these unique first-time dad gifts. From foodie adventures to creative escapes, find the perfect experience to suit his style.
A Guide to Making Your Own Pottery
By John Tabari
Delve into the origins of pottery and learn how to begin your DIY ceramics journey at pottery classes in Sydney!
Aged Health Benefits and Recreational Classes
By Sarah Hinds-Friedl
The weekend before my great-grandmother passed away at 98-years-old, she took me outside to plant sunflowers. Her daughter and granddaughter putThe weekend before my great-grandmother passed away at 98-years-old, she took me outside to plant sunflowers. Her daughter and granddaughter put up a fuss, claiming that it was too hot outside, and that she should rest instead. She just waved a hand and motioned for me to help her stand up. “I’m going to teach my great-granddaughter how to garden,” she said. I think we were all a little bit surprised. In her old age, Nora wasn’t usually so lucid. It was hot that day (the sunflowers wouldn’t survive the sweltering heat waves of the next few months,) but my great-grandmother didn’t seem to mind. Under her sun visor, she was all smiles. As she walked me through the steps of preparing the flowerbed and spreading the seeds in the fresh soil, my great-grandmother was radiating joy. Of course, she was always excited to spend time with family, but this was something different. This energy and warmth had something to do with gardening. In the years since her passing, I’ve always been incredibly grateful for the chance to share that afternoon with her. I was able to see first-hand how a simple task, like caring for a garden, could have such a powerful impact on a woman who had lived for a century. The fact that something as small as planting a seed could still put such a radiant smile on her face astounded me and pushed me to find more information on the power of leisure activities on the elderly. As it turns out, the benefits of leisure activities for everyone are vast, but they can have a particularly powerful effect on the mental health of middle-aged and advanced-aged citizens. Why should we focus on older individuals? As middle age passes into advanced years, our senior citizens have a difficult transition. The things they took for granted in youth, such as mobility and memory, have become less accessible in older age. Even the most joyful and lighthearted of people have to admit that this loss of function can be frustrating, scary, and depressing. The awareness of this slowing down can be especially accentuated in retired individuals, who can no longer focus on a career or feel a sense of fulfillment in their jobs. Luckily, there are ways to ease the transition. Researchers across the world have been searching for solutions to the problems associated exclusively with the experience of aging, and what they found was something that community centers and elderly facilities have been saying all along: creative hobbies are good for our mental state and physical health. Multi-cultural methods: what are they doing in Japan? A 2015 study (1) from the Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in Japan sought to put previous claims of the effectiveness of certain leisure activities to the test. Though they disproved earlier beliefs that participating in social activities could improve mental health in middle-aged and elderly individuals, they did find some overall uplifting benefits to other leisure activities. Their findings found, for instance, that hobbies, cultural activities, physical exercise, and sports all improved the mental health of elderly Japanese citizens. The effect was compounded when such activities were shared with a companion or group. What about Australians? A similar study (2) was conducted by three scholars in 2013 exploring the effect of hobbies on the mental health of elderly women living in Australia. Their impetus for conducting the study was a body of precedent publications that, although dealing with the benefits of creative activities on mental wellbeing, had largely excluded the effects of such hobbies on the older generation. Their definition of creative hobby was expansive: everything from needlework to photography to china painting was included in study. And their findings were incredible: Women involved in such activities were more likely to be socially engaged and showed a lower tendency toward “osteoarthritis, stroke, depression or anxiety/nervous disorder compared with women not involved in those hobbies” (2, page 7). These women were also more likely to be in physically good shape in terms of functionality and enjoy an overall higher quality of life. The reasoning for these benefits is still somewhat unclear. Experts believe that these types of hobbies probably improve mental health by lowering stress, sparking cognitive activity, and producing feelings of fulfillment and pride in participants. How can we use this information? We can all agree that investing our elderly population is a valuable use of effort and resources. After all, they are our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They are future versions of ourselves, as we navigate our own aging process. We certainly wouldn’t be here without them. And in this vulnerable time in their lives, we should put this scientific knowledge to good use. There are lots of possible workshops that retirees and try out or even start themselves such as paint-and-sip classes, stand up paddle boarding, water aerobics, yarn bombing (the rebellious act of covering public spaces with crocheted or knitted works of art). These are just a few examples of the plethora of wacky, fun, unique hobbies out there. This is one of the reasons why ClassBento was started, to make it easier for retirees to try out new hobbies and also allow them to teach their passions and get paid, giving them purpose back in their lives. Our elders deserve it Based on my personal experience with my great-grandmother, I cannot understate the effect of leisure activities on elderly individuals. Seeing the smile light up her face when her advanced years had caused her so much strain and exhaustion was truly a gift that I would encourage every young person to be a part of. So get the older people in your lives involved in a creative pursuit. It will benefit you both! (1) journals.plos.org (2) tandfonline.com ...
Personalised 50th Birthday Gifts to Get Your Parents
By Erica Genda
Looking for 50th birthday gift ideas for your parents? Discover 8 personal gift experiences that are sure to be remembered long after the celebrations are done.
Best Paint and Sip Experiences to Try in 2026
By Erica Genda
Find the perfect paint and sip experiences near you with these top 11 painting classes! Enjoy a drink, grab a brush, and dive in!
7 Gift Cards for Him He Will Love
By Tiffany Fung
Discover seven best experience gift cards for him, from hands-on blacksmithing to cocktail making classes. Give the gift of fun memories that men will love!
Find Your Calm with These 5 Spring Craft Ideas
By Tiffany Fung
Craving a slower pace? Embrace simple living with these fun, mindful spring craft ideas, from soap making to pickling and beyond.
7 Unique Melbourne Experiences for Travel Lovers
By Tiffany Fung
Ignite your wanderlust with our gift experiences in Melbourne. From Indian cooking to Turkish mosaic lamp making, travel the world without leaving the city!
Best Gifts for New Mums Who Need a Bit of Me-Time
By Tiffany Fung
Discover the perfect Mother's Day gifts for new parents! Treat new Mums to relaxing experiences like floristry and pottery for some well-deserved me-time.
Brand Activation for Fashion Company
By ClassBento Team
A popular fashion company wanted to reinvigorate its brand, and launched a youthful campaign, with a Cuban theme, supported by a prominent singerA popular fashion company wanted to reinvigorate its brand, and launched a youthful campaign, with a Cuban theme, supported by a prominent singer and performer. To bring the campaign to life in Sydney, the brand designed an offline activation, inviting brand VIPs, influencers and press to Pitt Street Mall. A highlight of the event was ClassBento’s custom jewelry stand, where guests could custom order personalized earrings that fit in with the Cuban feel. There was a wide variety of beads and bangles to choose from, so the guests had plenty to spark their imagination – it was a nice avenue for them to indulge in their creativity. ClassBento’s teachers whipped up the earrings from their base components on the spot, and the guests could participate in the jewelry making if they liked. Our teachers know how to work a crowd, and kept the group engaged and buzzing. The jewelry was unique, authentic, designed specifically for this event, and of course, lots of fun to wear and share-worthy, and a nice way to remember the night by. Looking for an idea for your next marketing activation? Get in touch, and we’ll help find the right teachers to help you stand out and make it memorable. ...
DIY Christmas Gifts
By Kellie Maloney
Make Christmas 2026 extra special with these DIY experience gift cards! Choose from chocolate classes, painting workshops or festive cocktail parties.
Re-energise Against Burnout
By Sarah Hinds-Friedl
Boost your team's morale against burnout with our exciting team building activities in Australia, from skateboarding workshops to Turkish mosaic lamp classes.
7 Reasons to Gift Experiences in Melbourne
By Kellie Maloney
From playing with clay to cooking a meal—here are 7 reasons why gift experiences in Melbourne should be on everyone’s shopping gift list!
Can't Celebrate Together? Send Love with the Best Digital Gift Cards in Australia
By ClassBento Team
Can’t be with someone you love on their special day? Discover a range of digital gift cards which you can present to your not-so-nearest and dearest.
9 Easy Cocktails to Make in Melbourne
By Kellie Maloney
Master classic cocktail recipes at cocktail classes in Melbourne. Start your journey to delicious celebrations and nights out with these 9 easy cocktails to make.
50 Epic Hen Party Games and Activities Across Australia
By Annie Symmonds
Discover 50 hen party games and activities to help you plan the best hens party in Australia in 2026.
Best Crafts for Kids to Improve Their Focus
By Sam Bowden
Searching for kids activities in Melbourne that can help improve their concentration and focus? Here's a good place to start.
How to Reuse Your Coffee Grounds
By Sarah Hinds-Friedl
Discover seven creative ways to reuse your coffee grounds and help the planet after you've learned to make the best coffee at a barista course in Melbourne.
How to Host the Ideal Hens Party for an Introvert
By ClassBento Team
Create a memorable hens party for the bride-to-be who enjoys time with her nearest and dearest with these nine unique ideas!
Feeling Holiday Fatigue? Do This Before the New Year
By Laine Fullerton
The holidays can leave your brain and body feeling a little *fried*. Instead of rushing into January, try these few simple, science-backed ways to reset.
Non-touristy Things to Do in Melbourne Next Month
By Courtenay Turner
Ready to discover a different side of Australia's capital of cool? Check out our guide to the best non-touristy things to do in Melbourne in 2026.
What Experience Melbourne Dates Are Actually Like
By Tiffany Fung
Need exciting date ideas in Melbourne? Find out what to expect at our couple's experiences and learn why they're the best things for couples to do in Melbourne.
5 Feel-Good Reasons to Gift Experiences This Christmas
By Laine Fullerton
And give yourself a pat on the back.
13 Personalised Gifts for Mums Who Live Far Away
By ClassBento Team
Looking for personalised gifts for Mum? These handpicked gift experiences are the perfect way to show you care, no matter how far apart you are.
How to Make Team Building Activities in Melbourne a Success
By Sam Bowden
If you're looking for unique team building activities in Melbourne, here's a quick guide on the do's and don'ts for office team events.
Why Paint and Sip Classes in Melbourne Are the Perfect Way to Detox Your Week
By Sam Bowden
Indulge in soul-soothing and refreshing paint and sip classes in Melbourne - the perfect way to unwind at the end of the week.
Looking for Hens Weekend Ideas in Melbourne? Try a Staycation
By Sarah Hinds-Friedl
In need of hens weekend ideas in Melbourne? Rent a house, stock up on the bride-to-be’s favourite snacks and wine and bring a perfume blending workshop to you...
Zero Waste Bartending: The Future of Cocktail Making in Melbourne
By Sarah Hinds-Friedl
Shake up sustainable drinks that favour foraging, fermentation and zero waste bartending with cocktail classes in Melbourne!
5 Best Date Ideas to Help Spark the Romance
By Tiffany Fung
Ignite the romance in your relationship with one of our unique date night ideas in Australia, from spinning clay on a wheel to making custom DIY jewellery.
Want to Know Which Workshops Are on Our Christmas Wishlist
By Tiffany Fung
Hint: There’s something in here for everyone.
How to Nail Your 10 Year Anniversary Gift
By ClassBento Team
From mosaic making to wine and cheese tasting, these experience gifts for couples will help you reconnect with your lover, right in time for your anniversary.
Cute Gifts for Your Girlfriend She Can Share with Friends
By ClassBento Team
While there’s definitely a place for romantic date nights for two, these cute girlfriend gifts for her will win you serious brownie points with your special someone.
Gift Guide for Him for Every Occasion
By Jana Lepojevic
Stuck on what to buy? Our gift guide for him helps you find fun, thoughtful experience gifts for men, fit for every occasion.
At the End of This Quiz You'll Know Exactly What to Gift Your Partner
By Laine Fullerton
Searching for gifts for couples? Take our quiz to unlock meaningful experiences, from crafting to cooking, designed for quality time together!
Why Craft Workshops Are the Perfect Way to Unwind
By ClassBento Team
Soothe your senses with relaxing craft classes in Australia. Whether it's pottery painting or mosaic making, these workshops are the perfect way to unwind.
13 Thoughtful Wedding Gifts for Couples Without a Registry
By ClassBento Team
Discover thoughtful gift experiences for couples who don’t have a registry and get your favourite duo cooking up a storm, playing with clay or getting crafty.
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