Christmas time can be a pain in the ass. Fairy lights – amazing. Christmas trees – delightful. Present buying – also nice, until you’re trying to buy a present for that family member who doesn’t like ‘stuff’ or that friend who already has everything they want. So often we end up buying people we love something they don’t really want, which is a waste of money, waste of time, and waste of wrapping paper. This got me thinking – what can we give people that they’ll actually enjoy?

 ClassBento is the genius answer to my problem: an online marketplace for arts, craft, culture and cooking workshops that was created solely for the purpose of discovering new passions. John and Iian – the founders of ClassBento – encourage anything that forces you out of your comfort zone, breaks routine, and involves trying something new. As such, the site is packed full of hundreds of classes, that are based all over the country, so there’s something for everyone and every interest. Whether you’re keen to try your hand at candle making, painting, pottery, woodwork or pizza making, you’re bound to find it on ClassBento. There’s an emphasis on local makers and artisans, so every time you book a class you know you’re supporting the neighbourhood and getting a unique experience.

 To see what all the hype was about, I headed over to Merchant & Green in Redfern to make my very own terrarium. As an indoor plant lover, I was really looking forward to giving this workshop a go, and it didn’t let me down. Chris, the owner of Merchant & Green, provided everything we needed for the workshop – round vases, soil, dry moss, stones, plants and decorative material, so all we had to do was watch, learn, and then give it a go. The classes are small, which is perfect for those who aren’t too sure what they’re doing, as it’s easy to ask questions along the way. Chris is a bit of an expert at terrarium-making, and offered some good insight into how terrariums work and how to help them thrive, which plant-killers like me will appreciate. The best part? You walk away at the end of the class with your very own terrarium, which required absolutely no preparation. You also get to stand amongst beautifully-scented flowers for an hour, which is always a bonus. Merchant & Green offer a host of other classes too, including basket weaving, Christmas wreath making, greenhouse terrarium making and a kokedama workshop– even from one store, there’s something for all of us.

 It’s so easy to let life go by without stopping to do things we really enjoy. Whether it’s picking up a shelved hobby or trying something new, we rarely invest in our creative passions, but tend to have the time of our lives when we do. ClassBento gives you the opportunity to do just that, and gives you the tools to encourage your loved ones to rekindle their passions. While corny, I’ll bet this is more valuable than receiving a pair of socks for the sixth year in a row. The new year is the perfect time to branch out, so jump online at classbento.com.au and find the perfect class – for a friend, family member, or yourself. 

@tropicool_life // @classbento // @merchantandgreen