With the winter holidays fast approaching, D.C. is bursting with lights, holiday displays and holiday markets. If you want to bring the holiday home with you and don’t know where to start, several craft and cooking classes in DC offer a chance to make the season your own. Learn how to make cocktails, classic winter foods, decorations, baked goods, and more to match your holiday vision—and learn a new skill while you do it.
Decorating biscuits and cakes
Here’s an easy way to make the holidays sweeter: Relax and get creative with these cookie decorating tutorials and cake workshops.
A very fun cookie decorating class at Nothing Bundt Cakes, Alexandria | December 2
Children’s holiday treats (5-8 years) at Cookology Culinary School, Arlington | December 3
Winter biscuit decorating course at Lost Boy Cider, Alexandria | December 6
Gingerbread house decoration at the Zena Hotel, Downtown DC | December 9
Cookie and Christmas Sugar Cookie Decorating Class at NVS Kitchen & Bath, McLean | December 9
Children’s holiday baking course (8-17 years) at Cookology Culinary School, Arlington | December 9
Cookies and Cocoa: Cookie Ornaments at Shop Made in DC, multiple DC locations | December 9 and 17
Gingerbread workshop at Metrobar, NE DC | December 10
Course in decorating Christmas cakes and biscuits at Creative Grounds DC, Bloomingdale | December 16
Cooking and cocktails
Hoping to dazzle your friends and family with culinary masterpieces this holiday season? These classes can prepare you to impress with seasonal drinks and dishes.
Hot Cocktail Workshop at Augie’s Mussel House and Beer Garden, Alexandria | November 28
Cooking is a passion! (Lasagna, Latkes, Tunes and Spins) at Sticky Fingers Diner, H Street Corridor | December 3
Speakeasy Christmas Cocktail Making Class in CODE RED, Adams Morgan | December 4
Festive cooking: brunch at Cookology Culinary School, Arlington | December 10
Holiday breakfast class at Cookology Cooking School, Arlington | December 17
Making wreaths
If you want to keep your holiday decor classic but want to add a personal touch, try these area wreath making tutorials to craft a simple, seasonal addition for your front door or porch.
Building a winter wreath with cocktails at Union Market, NoMa | December 1, 5 and 13
Wreath making workshop at the Washington Hotel, Penn Quarter | December 5
Building a wreath at the United States Botanical Garden, DC | December 8
Decorating a holiday wreath at Shop Made in DC – The Roost, Capitol Hill | December 9
Make your own ornaments
Christmas trees are a little better when there’s a handmade ornament or two (or a dozen). Attend these ornament making sessions to design your own unique Christmas tree ornaments.
Workshop for ornaments at PlantHouse, Alexandria | November 25
Children’s workshop for ornaments at PlantHouse, Alexandria | November 26
Pressed flower holiday ornaments workshop at Shop Made in DC – Georgetown | November 26
Create your own clay ornament at The Village at Union Market, NoMa | December 3
Class of dried floral glass ornaments at PLNTR, Dupont Circle | December 7
Sip and Make: Ornament Making Workshop at Shop Made in DC – Georgetown| December 7
Other holiday crafts
If something a little more offbeat is your taste, there are plenty of less common crafts to spice up your winter holidays. These classes teach crafts like rug tufting and terrarium building.
Sip and Pour: Making a Holiday Candle at Shop Made in DC – Union Market | November 21 and December 20
Evening Elf Terrarium Workshop at PlantHouse, Alexandria | November 28
Winter Wine Glass Painting Party at Jula on the Potomac, Alexandria | November 29
Sip and Make: Holiday Hand Lettering Workshop at Shop Made in DC – Georgetown | November 29
Festive Classic Flower Class at Petal’s Edge Floral Design, Alexandria | December 13
Sipping and Stitching: Stitching a Snowflake at Shop Made in DC, multiple DC locations | December 6 and 13
Carpet Workshop: Holiday Edition at The Spice Suite, Northeast DC | December 19
Christmas centerpiece workshop and whiskey tasting at Belga Cafe, Capitol Hill | December 19
