Buying gifts can be a complete nightmare, especially if the recipient is one of those irritating people who don’t seem to need anything and won’t give out any hints about what sort of things they are into. Although many of us take the path of least resistance and buy vouchers, a little lateral thinking can ensure you come up with an innovative and interesting gift, and build up some brownie points too. This is especially true when buying for people who are into making things and crafts. Whether it’s cooking, pottery, enamel jewellery or knitting, there is a perfect gift out there for everyone.

Cooking, wine and chocolate

Who doesn’t like good food, fine wines and a delicious box of handmade chocolates? Home winemaking is eternally popular, and giving a starter kit of bottles and an instruction book can ensure plenty of delicious liqueurs in the future. Keen foodies and cooks will always appreciate the latest kitchen gadget, a day at a cook school learning new techniques or some weird and wonderful cookery ingredients which are tricky to source in the supermarket. Up and down the country, small artisan producers of chocolates are sharing their skills in workshops, enabling participants to learn a new skill and take home some delicious handmade treats too.

Jewellery

The rocketing price of gold and silver has forced the price of shop bought jewellery to an all-time high, and a great gift for people who love making things is a jewellery workshop or course. Some courses focus on learning the basics, others on more advanced techniques such as enamel jewellery or intricate beadwork. People attending the course will get their own piece of enamel jewellery to take home with them and it will be a one-off designer original, completely different to anything found in the shops. The price of most courses will include all the materials and tools you need to complete a project.

Getting down and dirty

Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in existence, and there is still a thriving pottery industry today. Making pottery is very relaxing, and can be done by hand or on a potter’s wheel. Clay and glazes can be bought to use at home, but it is better to attend a class and learn the basics from a professional, and this will also give you access to using their kiln and tools. There is also the option to paint a finished plate, mug, bowl or ornament and this is the ideal activity for a group of friends.

Needlecrafts

Knitting, patchwork, quilting and cross stitch are more popular than ever and the basics for their crafts can be picked up for just a few pounds. Kits are available for beginners, and as these contain everything required to complete the project they are a perfect gift. A keen knitter or crocheter will appreciate a gift of some unusual yarn which they can use to make something special, and a gift of a pack of coordinating fabrics will delight anyone interested in making clothes or quilts.

Parriss Jewellers offer a great range of enamel jewellery and are master jewellers so can produce bespoke designs to suit your gift occasion.