By Tiffany FungIn this story:
Finding a gift that's a little more exciting than another candle or pair of socks can be tricky. So, we went straight to the people who know creative experiences best: the ClassBento team!
We asked our colleagues to share the ClassBento experiences they'd recommend as gifts, who they'd love to give them to and what makes each one special. From pottery workshops inspired by beloved pets to cooking classes that bring the family together, their picks prove that the best gifts don't always come in a box.
Whether you're shopping for a creative friend, a devoted foodie or someone who seems to have everything, here's what our team would love to give (and receive!).
For the creative soul: Hand building and pottery painting
Senior Content Writer, Erica Genda's pick
If you know someone who loves getting creative, a pottery workshop is a lovely way to treat them to something different. Erica has her eye on this pottery hand building and painting workshop in Annandale, where guests get to make their own ceramic piece from scratch before adding a personal touch with underglaze.
It's a versatile gift, too. Erica would happily give this experience to friends or family, particularly as a chance to catch up towards the end of the year. After all, when everyone's busy shaping clay and decorating their creations, there's little opportunity to get distracted by a phone!
"I love hand building because it's calming and a new way to be creative. I also love the painting aspect of this one, to add some more personality to the piece you get to take home!"
Although Erica hasn't tried this particular workshop yet, she's already got it on her wishlist. And we can see why. It's a thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys making things with their hands, whether they're a seasoned creative or simply keen to try something new.
Who we'd gift it to: Your creative bestie, a family member or someone who could use a relaxing afternoon away from their screen.
For the adventurous foodie: A Japanese cooking class
Growth Partner, Pip Glinn's pick
Some gifts are fun on the day, while others keep delivering long after the wrapping paper has hit the recycling bin. Pip thinks a cooking class ticks both boxes, giving the recipient a delicious experience and new skills they can put to use at home.
Her personal pick would be a Japanese cooking class, which she'd love to gift to her family as a group experience. Japan is high on her travel wishlist, so learning to prepare Japanese dishes together feels like a fun way to explore some of its food culture and “add a few new favourites to our family cooking repertoire!”
The best part? Pip hasn't tried a cooking class yet, making this one a gift she'd be excited to experience alongside her family. And that's part of the appeal: you don't have to be an expert home cook to enjoy learning something new.
From discovering unfamiliar ingredients to picking up techniques you can use again and again, a cooking workshop is a great choice for anyone who loves exploring different cuisines.
Who we'd gift it to: Food-loving families, adventurous home cooks and anyone who'd rather share a delicious experience than unwrap another kitchen gadget.
For the devoted pet parent: A personalised pottery sculpture
Social Media Manager, Isabelle Lhotka's pick
Know someone who has approximately 500 photos of their dog on their phone? We've found their next favourite gift. Isabelle recommends this pet sculpture portrait in clay workshop, where animal lovers can create a little ceramic tribute to their furry best friend.
Her inspiration is close to home. Isabelle would love to gift this experience to her mum, who lives with the family's dog, Koda. Her plan? Get her mum to make a little sculpture of him, while Isabelle gets to steal the real Koda and take him home!
It's a pretty adorable gift idea, especially for someone who considers their pet part of the family. Rather than buying another pet-themed mug or novelty accessory, you're giving them the chance to create something personal that celebrates their four-legged companion.
But it's not just the finished creation that makes pottery so enjoyable, either. Isabelle has tried hand building before, and she loved how therapeutic the process was.
"My mind tends to run a million miles an hour, so having something creative to channel all that energy into was really nice. It's one of those activities where you're so focused on what you're making that you forget about everything else for a little while."
Who we'd gift it to: Dog mums, cat dads and anyone whose camera roll is 90% pet photos.
For the pizza enthusiast: A pizza making workshop
Tech Lead, Alex Corzo's pick
Who doesn't love pizza? Alex C is firmly in the pizza making camp, recommending a workshop as a gift for everyone and anyone! After all, most of us have attempted to make pizza at home, but learning how to do it properly is a whole different story.
There's more to creating a great pizza than throwing some toppings onto a base. A dedicated workshop gives you the chance to learn the art of making it from scratch, with the added bonus of enjoying your delicious creation at the end.
As Alex puts it, "Not many gifts come with dinner included!"
He's also speaking from experience. Alex has been to pizza making classes several times, first with his wife, then with his kids and later with his kids and mum. Clearly, one workshop wasn't enough!
What keeps him coming back is the “experience of making something from scratch and then sitting down to enjoy it together.” It's a relaxed way to spend time with the people you love, learn a new skill and have a few laughs along the way.
Who we'd gift it to: Pizza fanatics, families with hungry kids, couples who love cooking together and friends who never say no to a good meal.
Now that you've heard from the ClassBento team, take a deeper dive into what to gift with these unique experience gifts in Australia.
