These holiday craft workshops are loads of fun. Courtesy of Ridel: The Wine Glass Company
Create giftable treasures and festive décor with family and friends at these holiday-themed craft workshops across the First State.
The winter months don’t have to be blue. In fact, the holiday season is the perfect time to cultivate your inner artist. Even if you don’t have the time to take up a new hobby, you can always dip your toes into something new at a workshop. Below, you’ll find a handy list of seasonal DIY workshops offered by local businesses.
Inland Bays Garden Center
More than just a plant and garden supply store, the Inland Bays Garden Center focuses on environmental advocacy and restoration. “We really need to make a difference in what we plant now, [and] not just plant for beauty—planting for a purpose, planting for our native insects, bees, birds and wildlife,” says Cheryl Rehrig, the garden center’s co-founder. “Everybody needs to chip in and do something.”
The center hosts a variety of workshops throughout the year, but this December, Rehrig’s favorite is on the schedule: the tabletop tree workshop. “When you’re finished, it looks like you have a miniature tree, about a foot and a half or 2 feet tall. It’s incredible,” Rehrig says. Alison Webb, a 1985 American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) inductee, will be on hand to help visitors realize their crafty seasonal visions by helping them to arrange a miniature tree of cut evergreens, mostly boxwood. Bringing your own miniature holiday decorations for your tabletop tree is encouraged; sharp clippers and a paring knife are required. Refreshments and materials will be provided; the cost is $60.
Another popular workshop being offered this season for $45 is wreath-making with “master wreath maker” Don Duca. Juniper, fir, holly, magnolia, pine and more will be used to craft this festive holiday staple. It’s BYOR (bring your own ribbon), and Duca will teach you how to make the perfect bow for your wreath. Complete with carols, hot cider and gingerbread, this workshop will be a feast for the senses. The workshops, Rehrig notes, are “a fun way to get people into the Garden Center during the off-season.… It’s also a chance to meet people and socialize, and explain what our mission is in the long run.” (Note: The workshops are for adults.)
38320 Muddy Neck Road, Frankford | (302) 539-1839
Delaware Nature Society
Want to give a holiday gift to the birds in your backyard? At the Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin, you can make a present for your favorite feathered friends. On Sunday, December 4, at 10 a.m., you and your family can gather around a toasty fire and enjoy some treats as you create a gingerbread birdhouse for your backyard. All materials will be provided. The price is per family; member families pay $30; for nonmember families, it’s $45.
3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin | (302) 239-2334
LaFate Gallery
Join award-winning folk artist and gallery owner Eunice LaFate for a whimsical “Unique Wine Glass Paint Night/Day.” Use the provided dishwasher-safe glass paint to create a treasure for your mantelpiece or dining room that you’re sure to cherish for years to come, or gift it this holiday season. In addition, use vibrant acrylic paints to decorate a holiday card for a loved one. All materials will be provided, including glasses and wine. Contact LaFate to schedule your paint event. The price for this workshop is $45.
227 N. Market Street, Wilmington | (302) 656-6786
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Throughout December Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library hosts Wonderful Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering a perfect holiday escape for you and yours. You can tour the lavishly decorated, historic Winterthur mansion, sip cocktails, make s’mores, listen to live jazz and more. In addition, Winterthur offers holiday workshops on Wonderful Wednesdays. On December 7, learn the art of sensory wine tasting, hosted by Riedel. You can also attend a charcuterie wreath workshop, hosted by Crumb & Cow. On December 14, American Heritage Chocolate leads a “Taste and Learn!” chocolate tasting workshop. On December 21, try your hand at soap-making with “The Art of Handmade Soap,” led by Miche Scott Handmade. Finally, on December 28, Crumb & Cow hosts a New Year’s Eve charcuterie wreath workshop.
5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur | (302) 888-4775
Home Depot
For those with little ones, the perfect holiday workshop might be right around the corner in your local Home Depot. On December 3 from 9 a.m. to noon, you can sign your child up to create a free Santa Letters Mailbox, ensuring their wishes are magically delivered to the North Pole, posthaste. It’s a simple project suitable for little hands, and comes prepackaged in a kit with wooden pieces and easy-to-follow instructions. Paint and stickers will be available to customize your creations. Register while supplies last.
All Home Depot locations
Newark Arts Alliance
Join the Newark Arts Alliance this year for a variety of holiday ornament-making workshops. On December 3 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wendi Jacobs teaches a class on fused glass ornaments for kids 10 and up. Children can use precut pieces of glass or learn to safely cut their own, and design their own festive ornament that’s sure to grab plenty of light and attention on the tree or window. After the kids finish their designs, the ornaments are kiln-fired to be picked up in a matter of days. This class is $55 for members, $60 for nonmembers. All materials are provided. Gardening, work or rubberized gloves are optional and should be brought by the student if desired. An adult version of this fused-glass workshop is offered on December 10, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and costs $53 for members, $55 for nonmembers.
The Newark Arts Alliance will also be sponsoring the Art to Go Project at the Newark Free Library. On Wednesday, December 7, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the library hosts a free art activity—making paper star and dove ornaments—set to serve 30 to 50 kids.
Finally, on December 16, add a little coziness to your Friday night happy hour with Terry Foreman, a local artist and executive director of the Newark Arts Alliance, who will teach you to make felt ornaments. In this adult class, guests are encouraged to experiment with materials—and libations. Bring your own drinks if you want to spice up your felting. $32 for members, $35 for nonmembers.
276 E. Main Street, Suite 102, Newark | (302) 266-7266
Related: Find the Perfect Christmas Tree at These Tree Farms in Delaware
