Produced in partnership with Funzing.
Are you stuck on Christmas shopping ideas for friends and family and can't face the high street this week? Forget smellies and stationery, give them an unusual, creative and fun event that you can experience together in the company of a local London host and other adventurous Londoners.
For the active and adventurous: Djibouti Hula Hooping
Perk up a loved one's New Year with the gift of a Djibouti Hula Hooping session with Obie, 'Miss Pearl The Whirl' from The Majorettes, the world record holding hula hoop troupe led by Marawa the Amazing! This one-hour hula hooping session in Hoxton, with a disco/dancehall soundtrack, is guaranteed to get you moving, laughing and sweating... a new hobby/fitness regime/career for the new year? Hella fun.
For Mary Berry wannabees: Bake-off training
Giving a cookbook is no substitute for hands-on experience and the guidance of an expert. Lucy's Great British Bake Off Beginners' Training workshop in Shepherds Bush will equip you with apron and ingredients and build confidence with expert tuition, baking a showstopping chocolate cake to take home and share (or scoff solo). Should accelerate your GBBO preparation process by about three weeks.
For the ones with thespian tendencies: Theatre Gym
Try an acting masterclass with the person in your life who likes to be the centre of attention! Turn dramatic tendencies into performance skills with experienced actor and director, Tal, in a safe, creative environment in East London. Try new things with your body, attempt puppetry and partner work or simply unleash your inner child/diva.
For the hungry and curious: Dim Sum Experience
Anyone who loves dim sum must be curious about how the perfect parcels make it to the table, steamed to perfection. William Wong grew up in a Chinese restaurant and has run three of his own, so is well qualified to show you how to make delicious dim sum and make sure you have lots to eat when the class is over. Gift this experience this Christmas and you might even learn some Cantonese.
For the crafty and creative: Candlemaking
Homemade gifts are often the nicest. Give the gift of this candlemaking class and you'll learn how to handle wax, recycle candles, colour and fragrance them correctly and make them look pretty. Plus you'll leave the London Bridge studio with four beautiful handmade candles each and a raft of new crafty confidence — a gift that keeps on giving.
Find more London experiences with Funzing through their website, Twitter and Facebook page.
Do you have a particular hobby, professional skill or interest you'd like to share with other people in 2016? You can become a host and promote your own event on Funzing — find out more on their website.
