By Erica GendaIn this story:
Treating yourself or a loved one to a Christmas experience gift doesn’t have a time limit! Let the spirit of the holidays live on during that glorious, hazy stretch between Christmas and New Year's Eve where time loses all meaning, sweatpants become formalwear, and meals consist entirely of leftovers and holiday chocolates.
Don’t get us wrong, binge-watching TV or lounging on the couch is a perfectly valid pastime, but this twilight zone of time that often gets forgotten could be an opportunity to refresh your mind, get off your screen and try something new. Turn those quiet, unscheduled days into something memorable instead!
Whether you're looking to dive headfirst into a new hands-on passion or simply want a fun, productive outing with your family, here are all the best things to do between Christmas and the New Year.
1. Find your calm with a pottery wheel class
If your festive season felt like a whirlwind, sinking your hands into cool, squishy clay is the ultimate antidote. Clay and pottery wheel workshops are the perfect way to find joy in the mess, unwind and feel more grounded. Whether you share laughs at a clay and sip evening or set your mind on learning the fundamentals of wheel throwing, you’ll walk away with a new experience, a skill to be proud of and a handcrafted piece to remember your time by!
2. Design your own statement jewellery
Why buy new accessories for your New Year's Eve outfit when you can make them yourself? This beaded jewellery workshop on the Gold Coast is a gorgeous summer activity that’ll have you leaning into creativity and enjoying a peaceful, productive time. Gather some friends, sip on some drinks and make some wearable art over this Christmas and New Year’s break. You’ll walk away with a colourful treasure and the memory of a summer well-spent.
“This was my first attempt at making bead jewellery, and I was extremely happy I found Sip and Jewel. Janella was very welcoming, with a fabulous set-up to learn in. She is an excellent teacher who clearly explains the necessary techniques, whilst providing plenty of creative ideas to guide me. I came home with 2 bracelets which I absolutely love.” - Michelle P.
3. Get cosy with tufting
If you’re up for something cosy and fun, you’ve got to try this mirror tufting class in Melbourne. Armed with a tufting gun, you can shoot colourful yarn into canvas to create a custom mirror frame. It’s vibrant, satisfying, and once you get in the zone, you may even find it restorative. This is perfect if you’re looking for things to do between Christmas and New Year's where you can expend all that extra festive energy! Plus, you’ll be adding a unique piece of decor to your home.
Make new Christmas Eve traditions this way!
4. Blend your own signature scent
Use the week before the New Year to prep your self-care routine by making your own signature perfume. A fragrance-focused class is both a luxurious and intentional experience—a subtle way to set your intentions for the year ahead, plus, you’ll smell fabulous too! Join a workshop like this personalised perfume class in South Brisbane and explore top, middle and base notes to find the perfect scent for you (or your friend or partner!)
This one’s a great thing to do between Christmas and New Year for couples especially:
“My husband and I had the most amazing time making perfumes for each other! The staff were very friendly, happy to answer any questions. The perfume making itself was easy to understand and comprehensive; honestly, I think the perfumes we made are the best we’ve both ever smelled. I would recommend it to anyone; it’s so much more intimate to make a loved one a scent than to just buy one from a shop.” - Kate G.
5. Create a sparkly summer memento
What better way to remember your summer break than to create something that always highlights the sunshine? Head to this suncatcher workshop on the Gold Coast and find time to connect meaningfully whilst making something precious. Whether you're crafting alongside your favourite person or taking some well-deserved ‘me time,’ you'll spend a relaxing morning or afternoon twisting wire, choosing glass beads and trapping pure sunshine in a loose frame. Every time it catches the afternoon light back home, you'll get a tiny, magical reminder of warm ocean breezes and the golden glow of summer.
6. Add whimsy to your life with an enchanting flower crown
Ever want to do something just for the sake of adding some extra charm to life? Then this flower crown workshop in Canberra is the perfect thing to do between Christmas and the New Year! Grab your besties and spend a delightful couple of hours snipping fresh petals, twisting greenery, and crafting a floral headpiece that’s sure to make you feel like a pixie princess. It’s the ultimate way to slow down, giggle through the festive haze, and step into the New Year with a fresh and carefree perspective.
7. Bind your own handmade journal
Call in the New Year with a journal handmade by you. This leather journal workshop in Melbourne will mean your New Year’s diary is sorted, personalised with charms and all! By the time the New Year’s countdown begins, you'll be ready to turn a fresh page and welcome what’s to come with a stylish, handy home for all your reflections, big ideas and everyday ramblings. Or it can simply be the coolest-looking to-do list you’ve ever had. Either way, it’s a fun way to spend your time, and you’ll get something helpful out of it, too!
That week between the holidays doesn't have to be a blur of endless scrolling and daytime nap marathons. Getting caught up in a creative workshop offers the perfect blend of relaxation, playful learning, and getting things done without even trying!
