As Christmas draws nearer, gift giving is on the minds of the approximately 90 per cent of Americans who celebrate the holiday and who will spend close to $830 on gifts, according to the World Atlas. With the average home containing 300,000 items and with storage facilities now outnumbering Starbucks (LA Times), the added impact of holiday gift giving is somewhat staggering. A recent trend toward buying experiences as gifts shows that consumers are shifting away from purchasing non-essential items and turning toward items like concert tickets, date nights or weekend getaways, instead.
To that end, perhaps this year, it’s time to do things a little differently. Abandon your obligatory shopping trip and sit down with your laptop or smartphone, your favorite holiday beverage and head to Connect2Classes. For kids, teens and adults, you will find classes that make great experience-based gifts and make quick work of your holiday gift list. Enrollment in a class is a unique and thoughtful gift, and whether it is a one-day workshop or classes that span several months, the recipient receives a memorable experience along with valuable skills or training, all wrapped up in a bow.
Connect2Classes for kids and teens
Do you have a budding child comedian or aspiring chef? Give them the opportunity to learn new skills and gain exposure to a new kind of learning. Spend time with your child and learn some culinary skills yourself with Cooking With Your Kids from Frog Legs Kids Culinary Academy. You could also gift this class to your child and one of their grandparents, aunts or uncles. Knock two names off your list and let them spend some quality time together.
For ages 6-14, Friday Night Improv Camp is a great choice for kids to learn and develop creative thinking and public speaking skills. As an added bonus, parents get an evening free for a date night; browse Connect2Classes for a couples cooking or massage class.
Connect2Classes for adults
For the person on your list who is looking to shake things up in 2017, the Salsa Bootcamp is a Christmas memory that will last forever! Enroll together with your partner or best friend and learn some moves in a fun and encouraging environment.
If you don’t want to commit to a specific class but still like the idea of gifting a class, a Connect2Classes gift card is a great option. Leave the choice in the recipient’s hands and give the gift of lifelong learning and skill development.
Connect2Classes is a Seattle-based online marketplace for local and online classes. It is the premier source for exploring, comparing and registering for thousands of lifelong learning classes in the Puget Sound area. For more information visit: www.connect2classes.com.
