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Bust out the glue gun and stand mixer: it’s holiday crafting time. This time of year, store-bought goodies and gifts just won’t cut it. If you really want to capture the Christmas cheer, you have to go handmade. Whether you already have some Martha Stewart–level skills or you still can’t figure out what DIY stands for, we've got you covered with this slate of holiday classes on everything from classic baking techniques to floral design. Santa’s elves ain’t got nothin’ on you.
DIY Wooden Holiday Ornaments
A beautifully decorated tree is a must for Christmas entertaining. Paint a few wooden ornaments to hang among the tinsel in this class at CraftJam (917-830-3496, craftjam.co; $50). No need to bring anything—they’ll provide the ornaments, paints, stencils and various other art supplies.
Holiday Prep: Bûche de Noël
This rolled chocolate cake frosted to look like a Yule log might be one of the trickiest holiday desserts to pull off. Thankfully, the chefs at Haven's Kitchen (212-929-7900, havenskitchen.com; $125) will walk you through the entire process—from baking the light sponge to decorating the cake with mini meringue mushrooms.
Holiday Make and Gift: Vanilla Extract, Chocolate Bark and Biscotti
Finally, a solution for what to get those tough-to-please people on your list: gourmet sweets. Everyone—from your great aunt to roommate—will appreciate homemade vanilla extract, festive chocolate bark, sticky caramel corn or crunchy biscotti. This cooking class at City Cooking West End (315-391-0723, citycookingwestend.com; $120) is tailored specifically to holiday gifts, and even includes tips on how to package your treats.
Flower Arranging
When your guests ask you where you found that gorgeous bouquet, you want to be able to say you arranged it yourself. Trust us—you’re going to feel very accomplished, and very fancy. Book a spot in a holiday flower arranging course at the New York Botanical Garden (718-817-8700, nybg.org; $195), and you’ll take home two elegant arrangements in a stylish white and silver palette.
Vegan Holiday Desserts
Got friends or family with special dietary needs? The Natural Gourmet Institute (212-645-5170, naturalgourmetinstitute.com; $130) has a solution to the holiday cooking dilemma. Learn how to whip up six dairy-free desserts from scratch in this three-hour class. With recipes this good—think triple chocolate brownies and peppermint ice cream—no one will even realize they’re vegan.
Chocolate-Making 101
This year, skip the waxy, foil-wrapped chocolate Santas for something a little more highbrow. At Tache Artisan Chocolate (212-473-3200, tachechocolate.com; $75), a master chocolatier will show you how to make chocolate lollipops, caramel kisses and French candies called grignotines.
Watercolor Card Workshop
Hopefully you’re already making your list and checking it twice—your Christmas card list, that is. Instead of stocking up on wintry stationary, make you own at a watercolor workshop at Brooklyn Brainery (347-292-7246, brooklynbrainery.com; $45). It’s even BYOB!
BYOB Gingerbread House Decorating
Channel your inner HGTV star and go to town decorating your very own gingerbread house at Taste Buds Kitchen (212-242-2248, tastebudskitchen.com; $79). Whether you’re lusting after a pretzel picket fence, candy cane gutters or hard candy stained glass windows, your design dreams are totally possible. A few glasses of wine will help get the creative juices flowing.
Terrarium Ornaments
Even the tiniest New York studio apartment can fit a terrarium—a miniature hanging garden. Using them as holiday ornaments is an even cuter idea. Head over to this class Luludi Living Frames (888-958-5834, luludi.net; $110) to make two of your own. Keep one for yourself, and wrap the other up to give as a lovely holiday gift!
Cupcake Decorating
Who doesn’t love cupcakes? Seriously, who? Take the floral frosting class at LAB Brooklyn (646-468-3723, labbrooklyn.com, $82) to decorate a half-dozen cakes with hydrangeas or daisies in festive hues. Bring the finished product into the office to spread the holiday cheer, or keep them for yourself—we won't judge.
Gift Wrap Workshop
A quality wrap job makes any gift seem nicer than it really is. Bring your holiday shopping swag to the veritable buffet of wrapping paper at The DIY Joint (203-988-0223, thediyjoint.com; $35) and go to town. It’s all-you-can-wrap, and they’ll even provide mimosas to get you in a festive mood.