The best workshops that make a memorable Christmas gift

It’s almost Christmas again and that means the Christmas tree is shining in the living room, the Christmas music is blasting through the speakers and it’s time to think about what you’re going to surprise your loved ones with this year. Christmas is not exactly the most sustainable time of year and involves buying a lot of stuff, such as decorations and gifts. Perhaps that’s why you as a family have decided – in the context of sustainability and consuming less – to give fewer or no (physical) gifts this year. So it’s time to let your creativity flow and surprise someone in an original way. And what could be more fun than giving an experience as a gift, such as a day out where you do a creative workshop together! Go out together to get the most out of your gift. Also handy: a workshop is the ideal last-minute gift, so no last-minute stress this year.

We list the best places to experience a creative workshop, both in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany!

The best workshops in the Netherlands

De Steek

Learn to make your own clothes at sewing café De Steek in Amsterdam

Did you know that there is a trendy sewing café in Amsterdam where you can not only rent your own spot with a sewing machine, but also go for one-day or multi-day workshops? De Steek is a creative breeding ground for everyone who loves fashion, creation and crafts. There are now two locations in Amsterdam – both in West and East – and in West they offer various one-day workshops where you can learn to make your own tote bag, sweater, wrap top or skirt or learn to knit, crochet, embroider or macramé weave. Fun for beginners and more advanced creators! With this gift you not only give a memorable experience, they also go home with a self-made piece of clothing. Discover all the workshops of de Steek here.

Studio Koekoek

The best gift for the modern DIY’er

Do-it-yourself is hot! And what could be more fun than surprising the modern DIY’er with high-quality materials that allow them to let their creativity flow? Visit Studio Koekoek in Amsterdam for the best craft materials, embroidery kits, weaving materials, knitting materials or other DIY tools with a more ecological origin. Or give a creative workshop, which is organised in their cosy studio in the center of Amsterdam. Discover all the workshops at Studio Koekoek here.

De Naaierij

Creative sewing studio in The Hague

Also in The Hague you’ll find a trendy and creative sewing studio where you can follow various courses. The focus of De Naaierij is on clothing repair in order to create more awareness in the fashion industry. That is why you’ll find various courses of several weeks here where you learn to repair or alter clothing. The ideal Christmas gift for the more conscious fashionista! Go here for the range of courses at the De Naaierij.

Nature Bar

Make your own soap bar in Amsterdam

This year during the holiday season, give a natural and artisanal gift that someone will enjoy for a long time. Like a handmade soap or shampoo bar at Nature Bar! Nature Bar has been making natural, vegan and plastic-free soap in their soap factory in the heart of Amsterdam for many years already. And now you can learn how to do this yourself during a fun and creative afternoon. Owner Marlies will teach you all the tricks of the trade and you’ll go home with a selfmade shampoo bar in the scent and design of your choice. Read all the information about the workshop at Nature Bar here.

The Knitwit Stable

Follow a masterclass ​‘The world behind the sweater’ in Amsterdam

A new sweater is often bought quickly, but did you know that there is a whole world behind making a knitted sweater? At The Knitwit Stable in Baambrugge, near Amsterdam, they locally make knitted sweaters from Dutch wool. This masterclass introduces you to the entire production process, from the wool chain to the craft and the art behind knitting. The perfect gift for the more conscious fashionista who loves craft and textiles! Read all about the masterclass at The Knitwit Stable here.

BOTMA & van BENNEKOM

Make your own natural soap in Arnhem

The perfect indoor activity for an inspiring and creative afternoon during the winter months: make your own soap! This is possible at BOTMA & van BENNEKOM in Arnhem. This store and soap factory only makes soap from more natural ingredients, without synthetic additives. Create your own scent composition, choose your own colours and patterns and create your own handmade soap. This workshop is a great gift to do together too! Check here which dates are still available.

Iris Nijenhuis

Create your own unique piece of jewellery in Amsterdam

Does the person you’re surprising love unique jewellery? Then the workshop with Iris Nijenhuis in Amsterdam is the perfect gift. In her Amsterdam studio, you’ll create your own unique piece of jewellery under her guidance: from a cheerful bracelet to a colorful necklace or earrings, always using Iris’s signature puzzle technique. It’s a creative and personal gift that will inspire someone to create their own jewellery design and learn something special. Here you’ll find more information about the workshop.

The best workshops in Belgium

Janne Landuyt

Learn to knit during a workshop in Beringen

Do you know someone who would like to learn something new? Then surprise someone with a workshop where they learn a new technique, such as a knitting workshop with Janne Landuyt. Experience an original and creative afternoon in Beringen and learn all about the beautiful knitting technique on a professional Brother knitting machine. Here you choose your own yarns in different colours and raw materials, which are only natural and of high quality. Also nice: you don’t need any prior knowledge to follow this workshop. Discover the different workshops that you can follow with Janne Landuyt here.

Fien Demuynck

Learn to make your own jewelry in Ghent

Have you always wanted to learn how a jewel is made? And would you like to get started with silver or gold yourself? Then the workshops of jewelry designer Fien Demuynck are definitely something for you or your loved ones! In her atelier in Ghent, she teaches you all the tricks of the trade and you go home with your own handmade jewelry. From a workshop where you learn to make silver earrings or rings to a complete course to become a real silversmith – you can find the full range of workshops here.

The Natural Beauty Club

Give a make-up, hair or skincare workshop in Leuven

This is the perfect gift for beauty lovers! During the workshops of The Natural Beauty Club you’ll learn everything about creating a beauty routine with more natural products. Follow a make-up workshop where you’ll learn to create a beautiful, natural make-up look with the help of a professional make-up artist. Or learn how to style your own hair during a hairstyling workshop. And during a skincare workshop you’ll learn about your own skin type and which more natural care products suit it best. Here you can find all the workshops of The Natural Beauty Club in Leuven.

Sofie Darche

Make your own leather hip bag, pencil case or glasses case in Antwerp

Experience a creative and inspiring workshop in the atelier of Antwerp bag designer Sofie Darche. Sofie is a master in craftsmanship and will teach you all the tricks of her trade during this workshop. Under the guidance of Sofie, you will make your own leather hip bag, pencil case or glasses case in just a few hours. Choose your own color and go home with your own design. Also nice: you don’t need any experience to do this workshop. Discover the different workshops at Sofie Darche here.

Aard’ige Garens

Learn to knit in Leuven

Discover the art of knitting during an inspiring workshop, where you can learn new skills and create personal projects in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced knitter, at Aard’ige Garens in Leuven you’ll find a workshop that suits you. Follow a course, from the first stitches to your own garments and learn to knit at your own pace. Discover all available workshops here.

The Soul Store

Learn all about natural care products in Oostkamp

Do you love make-up and skincare, but would you like to learn more about how to do this in a more conscious and natural way? Then follow a workshop at The Soul Store in Oostkamp. Here they teach you everything about a more natural skincare routine, for example from brands like I.am.klean, Likami or Nourist. The ideal gift for yourself or for other beauty lovers! Discover the full range of workshops at The Soul Store here.

Clothilde

Natural beauty workshops in Aalst

Do you love beauty and do you live in the area of Aalst? Then the workshops of Clothilde are perfect for you. Give a beauty workshop as a Christmas present and go out together for a fun and inspiring afternoon in Aalst. For example, learn everything about the power of botanical ingredients in the skincare and make-up of Ere Perez. Or learn during a workshop how you can complete a good, caring and more natural beauty routine in just 10 minutes. Discover all workshops at Clothilde in Aalst here.

Cherry PaoPao

Create a personalized piece of jewelry in Antwerp

Bring memories to life by creating a personal piece of jewelry that you can cherish forever. During the workshop with jewelry designer Paolo from Cherry PaoPao in Antwerp, you’ll get started with this. Give the memorable gift of making personal jewelry, which can be a healing activity. The workshops of Cherry PaoPao are given in a creative environment where you feel safe and at ease, in the charming and atmospheric Nailscafé & Tattoo in Antwerp. Read more about the workshops and the available dates here.

REST

Give the gift of a modern DIY repair kit

Give a more sustainable and creative gift this holiday season with a Kintsugi DIY kit from REST in Mortsel! This kit lets you upcycle broken items with gold-colored glue, following the Japanese art of repair. It’s a way to embrace imperfection and value existing items. With the CHIYU Kintsugi DIY kit, you can get started at home. Mindful, full of meaning and creative.

The best workshops in Germany

Nochmall

A paradise for second-hand shopping and creative workshops in Berlin

Upcycling enthusiasts, take note! Berlin has opened its first department store for second-hand goods and creative workshops, called Nochmall. In addition to a gigantic store with second-hand, vintage and upcycled items and a repair café, creative workshops are also held here every week. Think of upcycling workshops where you can make something new from recycled materials, a workshop where you learn to darn socks or how to print textiles in a more sustainable way. Discover the full range of workshops at Nochmall here.

Sekundär Schick

Follow an upcycling workshop in Berlin

Do you know someone who loves sustainability, to make clothes themselves or would really like to learn how to do this? Then an upcycling workshop in the atelier of Sekundär Schick in Berlin is the ideal Christmas gift! Owner Sigrid Ellen Münzberg is a colorful and very experienced designer who can teach you everything about upcycling and making clothes. Because there are already enough new clothes in the world! Check out the range of workshops from Sekundär Schick and experience a creative and inspiring afternoon in Berlin.

PLUP – Planet Upcycling

Upcycling workshop for adults and children in Düsseldorf

Looking for a fun and creative gift for both young and old? Then take a look at the workshops at the creative breeding ground PLUP – Planet Upcycling in Düsseldorf. Give materials that would otherwise be thrown away a second life during a creative afternoon and go home with a beautiful, ​‘new’ product!

Slowsetter

Get personalized and more sustainable styling advice

Would you like to receive personalized styling advice from a more sustainable stylist, so that you can dress yourself in a more stylish and conscious way? This year, ask for a consultation from Slowsetter under the Christmas tree! With an enormous sense of style and a great knowledge of sustainability, Uta will guide you on your journey to a more sustainable wardrobe. Choose more sustainable brands or second-hand, or style the items you already have in an innovative way so that you look like new! Discover what Slowsetter has to offer here.

Studio Orf

Give the gift of a crochet workshop in Düsseldorf

Studio Orf in Düsseldorf invites you to learn the basics of crochet together, from the first stitch to your own creation, in a relaxed, inspiring atmosphere. Sounds like a perfect gift? We think so too! It’s a creative gift for friends or family who enjoy learning something new and engaging mindfully with colour and materials. Perfect for creating memories together. Discover Studio Orf’s crochet workshops here.

Dyeing textiles with plants and flowers

With Tessa Stetter or Dainty Dystopia

This gift is for anyone who loves being creative with paint, colour and textiles, all in a more sustainable way! You can enjoy a plant-based dyeing workshop together, or give them a DIY kit so they can get started at home. Tessa Stetter teaches you how to dye with flowers in Flensburg. If you live near Aachen, you can visit Dainty Dystopia.

Kleiderei

Give a membership to a clothing library

Do you know a true fashion lover who loves new outfits? Inspire them to make more sustainable clothing choices with a clothing library membership. At Kleiderei you can give a 3‑month membership as a gift and get an extra month free! With locations in Berlin, Cologne, Stuttgart, Freiburg and Hamburg, there’s a good chance there’s a store near you! Want to know more about this sustainable membership? Find out more info here!

Looking for more sustainable inspiration for the holidays?

• Light up your home with these cosy candles from eco-friendlier materials
• A greener Christmas: 14x inspiration for more sustainable Christmas gifts
• Glitter & glamour: how to find your party dress in a more sustainable way
• 18x Thoughtful and warm socks for under the Christmas tree
• The quest for a greener Christmas: How to find a more sustainable Christmas tree and decorations