Top Spots To Create Your Own Holiday Gifts

When Christmas rolls around this year, skip the frenzied holiday shopping and create your own crafty work of art. There's no more cherished gift than one that has been created with love. And don't worry -- long gone are the days of tacky soup-can pencil holders and half-finished crocheted scarves. These are the top places to create your own classy Christmas gifts in Philadelphia.

East Falls Glassworks
3510 Scotts Lane, Suite C42
Philadelphia, PA 19129
(215) 848-2180
www.eastfallsglass.com

Price: $245 for one-day workshop including all supplies

Located at Sherman Mills, East Falls Glassworks is a glassblowing studio selling beautiful glass items handcrafted by local artists. The studio also gives patrons the amazing opportunity to create their own glass masterpieces. Knowledgeable glass blowers provide classes for all levels of experience -- you may even take private classes for small groups or one-on-one instruction! Whether it's mugs, stemware, window ornaments, plant-watering bulbs, vases and bowls, friends and family will be awed at your unique glass gift.

Related: Top Spots For Glass Art In Philadelphia

Pennypacker Mills
5 Haldeman Road
Schwenksville, PA 19473
(610) 287-9349
www.historicsites.montcopa.org

Price: $10 per person

Home to Pennsylvania's 25th governor, Pennypacker Mills is a 170-acre historic site with a restored barn, outbuildings and a three-story mansion. The facility offers a year-round calendar chock full of workshops and events. From wreath-making workshops to how to make homemade holiday candies, Pennypacker has a class for you and yours. Though the candymaking lesson doesn't include take-home options, families use this as a means of kicking off the holiday cooking.

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Beadworks Philadelphia
619 E. Passyunk Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 413-2323
www.beadworksphiladelphia.com

Price: $20 to $55 per class

Not only does Beadworks sell all kinds of beads and gemstones, it also hosts a slew of beading classes for ages 10 and older. This spot offers jewelry-making workshops for every experience level weekly. Featured specialty classes are offered on a monthly basis. Classes include instruction and all of the materials needed to complete a beautiful pair of earrings, bracelet, brooch or necklace. It's the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite gal pal.

Zuzu Studio
734 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(267) 230-4505
www.zuzujewelry.com

Price: $45 to $60

For those who want to give upscale, unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry to a loved one, Zuzu Studio has a class for you. Artist Allison Hunt offers wonderful workshops in her jewelry and metalsmithing studio, located in the center of Philadelphia. Beginning Oct. 24 though Dec. 12, you may sign up for a number of one-night classes. Projects include metal-stamped jewelry, battery-etched and enameled earrings, bangle bracelets, cabochon jewel rings, etched cuff bracelets, large link necklaces and beach pebble epoxy pieces.



Indy Hall Kitchen
20 N. 3rd St., 2nd floor
Philadelphia, PA
foodinjars@gmail.com

www.foodinjars.com

Price: $50

If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then he will love opening up your homemade jam on Christmas Day. Sign up for the the mulled apple cider jelly workshop on Dec. 2 here. Classes run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You'll go home with one jar of the delicious finished product, the recipe and the know-how to make more in your own kitchen for everyone in your family this holiday season.

Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.