They may not be as fun to unwrap on Christmas day, but these gifts last much longer. Give the gift of “doing” with a few of these options.
Serve it up
$189 at The Chopping Block,
Merchandise mart and 4747 N. Lincoln Ave., and thechoppingblock.net
Treat the folks or your friends to six demonstration classes from the culinary gurus at The Chopping Block.
Close knit
Nina Chicago, 1655 W. Division St., and ninachicago.com
Know someone who needs a hobby? Gift certificates for Nina Chicago are redeemable for group beginner knitting classes and products. They’re available in any denomination, but a two-hour group class is $50.
A week at the museum
$49.50 for adult pass, $39.50 for a child’s at citypass.com
Treat your culture vulture to a City Pass, which offers access to five museums over nine days.
Eat, drink, man, woman
$90 at excitations.com
Buy a night out with the Culinary Walking Tour for two. A guide will walk the folks through the city’s best architecture and offer samplings from the city’s best restaurants.
A night out with McDreamy
Available in increments from $5 to $100 at theater locations AND amctheatres.com
Give the Patrick Dempsey fan — shown here in his new film “Enchanted” — gift certificates to AMC Theatres, redeemable for movie tickets and concessions. Perfect for anyone who deserves a date night.
School of rock
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., 909 W. Armitage Ave.and oldtownschool.org
Have a friend with a dusty instrument they don’t know how to play? Gift certificates to the Old Town School of Folk Music can be redeemed for classes or private lessons. They’re available in any denomination, but eight-week group classes are $150.
Augustus Gloop
$40 at Chicago Chocolate Tours, 312-863-8614 and chicagochocolatetours.com
Take the parents on a Willy Wonka-esque adventure (sans Veruca Salt) on a Chocolate Tour. Choose from public tours that visit places such as Godiva, Hannah’s Bretzels, and Vosges or treat them to a private tour. The $40 fee includes samples of the treats.
