Christmas craft workshops in London: 2020 edition
Get crafty this festive season with workshops covering everything from Christmas cards and decorations to wreath-making and homemade gifts
Make your own festive wreath at Petersham Nurseries
When: 7 - 15 December, 10:30am - 1:30pm, 3pm - 6pm, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AB / Petersham Nurseries, 31 King Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8JD
Cost: £150
Petersham's hugely popular festive wreath-making workshops are back – and for once, they haven't sold out. Taking place at both the Richmond and Covent Garden branches, the classes are being held in the venues' spacious airy restaurants on dates when Petersham is otherwise closed, to avoid overcrowding. The classes are also smaller than usual and attendees must bring a mask. In the sessions, you'll be taken through weaving a wreath in Petersham Nurseries' signature wild and rustic style, using winter foliage, festive berries and seed heads. The ticket price includes light refreshments.
Christmas baking workshops with the Bread Ahead bakery school
When: 5 - 23 December, various times
Where: Bread Ahead bakery schools in Chelsea and Wembley, and online via Zoom
Cost: £10 - £180 depending on class
Who doesn’t like to have a plate of freshly baked goods ready for when friends, loved ones and neighbours drop by unexpectedly over the festive period? We all know you’ll win more brownie points if your treats are homemade. Artisan bakery Bread Ahead is running festive baking workshops at two of their bakery schools and online via Zoom throughout December, through which you can try your hand at making everything from Victorian Christmas goodies (think spicy ginger cake or prune and walnut bread), to Christmas gingerbread decorations, German treats and superlative mince pies.
Eco-friendly Christmas cracker workshop
When: 13 December, 10am, 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
Where: 80 Ruckholt Road, Leyton, London E10 5FA
Cost: £40
In this two-hour workshop, you'll be guided through making six stylish Christmas crackers, filled with eco-friendly gifts (from brands including Myrtle and Soap, and Greener Habits), paper hats and jokes that are actually funny. All materials are provided.
Christmas wreath-making workshops at JamJar Flowers
When: Online at a time that suits
Where: Online
Cost: £50
Welcome in the festive season with JamJar Flowers this December. Swapping its Camberwell studio for the virtual sphere, the florists is posting wreath-making kits nationwide, with access to an online tutorial delivered by floral designer Talena Rolfe. The classes are a chance to learn the intricacies involved in creating a Christmas wreath using either a classic spruce or wired base. Working with beautiful seasonal foliage, foraged branches, sculptural seedheads, fruits and winter berries, you'll have all the materials you need to make a wreath that's just right to adorn your front door. All you’ll need is a pair of sharp scissors and a table or flat surface to work on.
Christmas card workshop with ObbyChristmas card workshop with Obby
When: 11 December, 1pm - 3pm
Where: Worcester Park
Cost: £25
In this beginners' Christmas card-making class, you'll learn the art of rubber stamping, cutting and layering using paper trimmers, plus colouring techniques and adding other embellishments to give your homemade cards a professional-looking finish. At the end of the two-hour class, you'll walk away with four to six personalised cards to send to lived ones. All materials and some light refreshments will be provided.
Members' Concrete Chocolate Workshop with BRIK
When: 10 December, 7pm
Where: Online
Cost: £40
Barbican member? You're in luck. Not only has the venue reopened with a strong arts programme, it's offering a series of virtual festive workshops exclusively for its members, including this concrete chocolate making workshop with award-winning chocolate design company BRIK. All materials and ingredients will be sent out in advance, and on the night, company founder Kia Utzon-Frank will lead you through creating texturised chocolate concrete surfaces.
Christmas wreath-making workshops at Kew Gardens
When: 4 - 6 December; 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
Where: Mansion Dining Room, Wakehurst, Selsfield Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 6TN
Cost: £49
For those with talented fingers, one of the most satisfying things about the festive season is seeing your handmade wreath hanging with pride on your front door. Whether you’ve made dozens in the past and are in need of new inspiration or are preparing to create festive foliage for the first time, a course at Kew Gardens could help you dress your door this year. Brighton-based florist Kate Langdale is hosting a relaxed two-hour workshop where you’ll weave your own wreath using eucalyptus, holly, pine cones, pheasant feathers and more – all sourced from the Wakehurst gardens.
