This Christmas, give the gift of creativity with handmade crafts and shared experiences and bring a personal touch to your holiday gifting. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just looking for unique ideas, there are so many ways to give one-of-a-kind presents this year with short courses in Sussex, London and online.

In this guide, we’ll explore five inspiring ways to give creatively: from crafting a gift on a course to the good old fashioned gift voucher. Give something different this year with West Dean.

1. Give an experience and learn together.

What do you give the person who has everything? Quality time. Book a short course for you and a loved one and take time out to learn a new skill together on a one day course. Master new techniques, catch-up over coffee breaks and make memories together.

• Make a leather journal, 10 Jan, Rachel Ward-Sale, Sussex, £169
• Printmaking with packaging cartons, 16 Jan, Jane Fox, Sussex, £165
• Tapestry weaving on a backstrap loom, 18 Jan, London, £140
• Silversmithing – make a silver pickle fork, 20 Jan, Sussex, Abigail Brown, £172
• Free machine embroidery – mini pictures, 29 Jan, Linda Miller, Sussex, £157
• Bookbinding – French link-stitch notebooks, 7 Feb, Amy Kitcherside, London, £135

View all one day courses

2. Make a gift to give.

No gift communicates thought and care more than something handmade. With an array of short courses dedicated to creating a finished item, why not book a short course and simultatenoulsy learn a new skill and tick a present off the list. Find inspiration below and give a gift made with love.

• Greenwood spoon carving, 12 Nov, Annie Slack, Sussex, £175
• Ash splint basket weaving, 15-17 Nov, Guy Portelli, Sussex, £371
• Leatherwork – make a strapped day bag, 18-21 Nov, Jeremy and Carla Bonner, London, £570
• Jewellery making – beginners, 30 Nov - 1 Dec, Laila Smith, Sussex, £322
• Fired enamel copper bowls, 6-9 Dec, Sharon Ford, Sussex, £508
• Bookbinding – decorative stitched journal, 19 Dec, Tracey Bush, Sussex, £172

View all short courses

3. Online Courses

If you can’t make it to one of our campuses why not let us come to you? You can now learn from our expert tutors in the comfort of your own home. Know someone who wants to learn more about a creative practice? Looking for a date night idea? Below are just a handful of the many online courses available from West Dean.

• Exploring cyanotype creatively on paper and fabric, Zoe Burt, £47
• Get started with watercolour painting, Christine Forbe, £47
• Introduction to drawing, Philip Tyler, £47
• Get started with making books, Tracey Bush, £47

View all online short courses

4. Gifts for Gardeners

Do you need a gift for someone with green fingers? Help them perfect their pruning or conquer compost with short courses in gardening and garden design.

• How to prune with confidence, 11 Jan & 12 Jan, Benjamin Pope, Sussex, £157
• Simplifying the rules – easier ways to a successful fruit and vegetable garden lecture. 18 Jan, Charles Dowding, Sussex, £104
• Nurturing the world beneath your feet – understanding soil and making compost, 2 Feb, Sylvia Travers, Sussex, £157
• The winter garden – creating and maintaining winter interest, 8 Mar, Benjamin Pope, Sussex, £170

View all gardening and garden design short courses.

5.  Gift Vouchers

If all the above feels too risky then let them decide and give a West Dean gift voucher. Available in multiples of £25, this simple way to gift arts and crafts courses means you're sure to get it right and, who knows, perhaps a gift voucher will lead to a career change?

Buy gift vouchers

In a season which increasingly encourages consumption, give the gift of creating this Christmas with West Dean.