Sustainable Stocking Filler Alternatives

Think outside the typical presents box and feel good this holiday season with these sustainable and unique experience gifts for Christmas! Sink your hands into clay at a pottery class, ignite your passions at a spark-filled metalwork experience or get amongst nature at a DIY terrarium workshop. Guided by experienced, local artisans from Sydney, Melbourne and beyond, you’ll be taking your Christmas gift ideas to exciting, new (and eco-friendly) heights in 2024!

Ready to start browsing sustainable stocking filler alternatives? Read on for our beginner-friendly guide to the best Santa-approved gift experiences in Australia.

Sink your hands into clay at pottery classes

In between gift shopping, party planning and cocktail sipping, the festive season can leave people feeling burnt out. Pottery classes are the perfect antidote, giving the lucky recipient a well-deserved excuse to slow down and enjoy some “me time” in the new year. 

Taught by experienced artisans, classes cover all the basics of pottery making, including wheel throwing, trimming and ceramic glazing. The process is famously therapeutic, making a pottery workshop (in the form of an experience gift card) the ideal stocking stuffer for a loved one who’s been feeling stressed out lately. 

They’re also one of the most fun things to do in Sydney and there’s plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a class. Opt for a beginner-friendly wheel throwing workshop or get creative with classes that teach you how to make hand-painted mugs. 

Make DIY succulents at terrarium classes

Looking for unique experience gifts that involve getting closer to nature? Terrariums are one of the hottest interior décor trends of the decade and our workshops will teach you exactly how to make them. 

Not only are terrariums beautiful showpieces, but they’re also fun to make and the plants in them are almost impossible to kill! This makes terrarium classes ideal for avid green thumbs, as well as friends or family members who can’t seem to keep anything alive. Not sure if your giftee will appreciate the activity you've chosen? Discover the 10 top reasons to gift an experience this holiday season!

Twist and tie plants at Kokedama classes

Another fantastic gift experience for plant lovers, Kokedama classes teach the ancient Japanese art of ornamental gardening. Led by expert horticulturists, you’ll learn how to wrap, twist and bind a beautiful moss ball that supports a lush living plant. Looking for stocking fillers for Mum? Take her to a Kokedama making class and spend quality time surrounded by nature. 

There’s no need for previous gardening experience, as these beginner-friendly Kokedama classes start completely from scratch. Even if your loved one has never heard of Kokedama before, they’ll leave with a beautiful hanging plant to display in their home. When it comes to finding fun things to do in Melbourne, our hands-on plant workshops top the list – but you’ll also find Kokedama classes in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth too.

Brush up on your penmanship at calligraphy classes

If you’re looking for experience gift ideas for a creative person in your life, calligraphy classes could be the perfect sustainable stocking stuffer alternative. Taught across Australia, these classes introduce you to the ancient art of brush lettering. 

Under the watchful eye of expert artists, you’ll learn the fundamentals of calligraphy before advancing to more complex techniques. There’s something incredibly relaxing about creating beautiful brushstrokes, making calligraphy classes the perfect Chrismas stocking fillers in Australia when it comes to pencilling in downtime.  

Go with the flow at alcohol ink art classes

Using specialised materials, alcohol ink classes teach you how to create beautiful art using vibrant, highly pigmented inks. These creativity-driven classes are all about finding the beauty in imperfection, making them ideal for beginners. 

While art classes tend to be popular with the ladies, they also make great experience gifts for men. A night of creating abstract artworks will encourage the fellas in your life to embrace their creative streak and try something new. Classes are generally small and intimate, meaning you’ll get plenty of attention and guidance from the teacher.    

Spark your creativity at metalwork classes

From creating artisan jewellery to forging carbon steel chef knives, there are metalwork classes in Australia for every age and interest. Wire sculpture workshops are great sustainable alternative stockings for the crafter in your life, while welding workshops are ideal experience gifts for him. If you’re stuck on a gift for Dad or brainstorming for the brother-in-law who has it all, a day of blowtorching is guaranteed to go down a treat! 

Make wearable art at jewellery making classes

For your best friend or little sister, why not splurge on a jewellery making masterclass where they’ll create their very own wearable works of art. Jewellery making is a great alternative to the traditional experience gift of a candle or scented oils. Not only are they fun, but they can also be used in future DIY crafting projects. If you’re stuck for stocking stuffer ideas, we have a number of workshops that show you how to make gorgeous pieces of metalware.

Our Sydney and Melbourne-based artisans will guide you through each step, from design to finishing touches, ensuring your creation is top quality and totally unique! The end result is the perfect present for someone who loves handmade craft items and has everything already (because let’s face it – there's always someone like that on your list!)

Get crafty in the kitchen at vegan cooking classes

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for Mum and Dad? Vegan cooking classes are a great introduction to the joys of plant-based eating. They’re one of the best unique gift experiences for couples and will give your favourite lovebirds a chance to bond and connect in the kitchen. As well as enjoying delicious plant-based meals on the day, the lucky couple will leave with the skills and experience to create their own delicious vegan meals at home. Basically, it’s a great excuse to invite yourself over for dinner! 

You don’t need to be a vegan to participate, as these beginner-friendly classes will appeal to herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Held at some of Australia’s top culinary schools, our vegan cooking workshops are one of the most fun things to do in Perth. 

Why opt for sustainable stocking fillers this Christmas? 

With so many great gift ideas to explore, there’s no excuse for lacklustre stockings this Christmas. By swapping the usual trinkets and knick-knacks for experience vouchers, you’ll be cutting down on landfill waste and treating your loved ones to a Christmas stocking stuffer they’ll genuinely love. Of course, it never hurts to throw in a few chocolate Lindt balls and a nice pair of socks too. 

As well as enjoying the gift experience, you may even help your loved one find a new hobby they can pursue for years to come. Your daughter might find a new passion for jewellery making after attending a metalwork masterclass, or your dad may burst into retirement with a newfound love for pottery. 

Feeling a little jealous of all the fun your lucky recipient is going to have? Why not stuff two vouchers into the stocking and invite yourself along for the ride? You’ll love the chance to spend quality time with your special someone while learning a new skill along the way. Who knows, it could blossom into a pastime the pair of you continue to enjoy together.

Ready to start browsing? From Perth to Sydney, we offer experience gifts across Australia. Simply punch in your keywords, or browse by theme, occasion or recipient to find inspiration for your sustainable stocking filler alternatives.