These Christmassy Craft Courses Have Gone Online
Double-jabbed, boosted, masked up and clinging on to Christmas cheer? There are still plenty of small, socially distanced events happening across the capital, to help keep spirits high.
And if you don’t fancy going out right now, you can join in the fun from home. Here’s our pick of the best low-key festive days out that have also gone online…
Cocktails By Candlelight
Hosted in a candlelit pop up shop in fairy-lit Seven Dials, just walking to this class drums up Christmas cheer. A candle and cocktail-making masterclass to a brilliantly retro playlist, you start the night with a mulled wine, then continue to sink Bombay Sapphire-laden concoctions at every opportunity.
Over 90 minutes, you can learn all about the eco-friendly properties of coconut wax, while rolling your eyes at some truly atrocious Christmas puns (and jumpers). The best bit? You come out with a cute, personally-made gift, which you can give to that person you definitely forgot to buy something for.
Can’t get out right now? Buy an at-home kit instead! They come with full instructions and you end up with the same lovely keepsake. Order by today (Fri 17th) if you’re keen on Christmas Day crafting…
Judith Blacklock Flower School
Tucked away in Knightsbridge’s idyllic mews, Judith Blacklock Flower School is a place of hallowed legend among the green fingered.
Classes are run by the truly delightful Judith, who’ll go out of her way to make sure you go home happy with your creation. Acclaimed as one of the UK’s most renowned institutes for giving excellent flower arranging courses, here you can learn to make a focal point for your mantlepiece or dinner party table. We love the half day Flowers For Beginners class, starting with a trip to the New Covent Garden Flower Market.
If you’re dutifully avoiding crowds before Christmas, you can watch Judith’s Luxury Christmas Wreath tutorial online for just £15. It’s great fun sourcing your materials at the garden centre (read: ‘foraging’ foliage from the local park).
BOOK: Judithblacklock.com
Bread Ahead Festive Baking Workshops
From Redbreast Whiskey and mince pie evenings to celebration bakes, Bread Ahead have covered ALL bases with their far-reaching Christmas cookathons.
Over the course of about three hours, bakers can finesse their frangipane, or inject va-va voom into traditional Victorian recipes. Our favourite class has to be the Italian workshop, where you can bake a seasonal onion focaccia, (great for your dinner party cheeseboard), then a festive clementine and almond cake and some classic almond biscotti.
When the pandemic hit, Bread Ahead pivoted. A huge selection of their courses are available online, via the snazzy E Learning section. You’ll get an interactive workbook to learn from, study, save and keep, using it before and after you join a live workshop via Zoom. Bellissimo.
