Paisley ties and reindeer socks needn’t overwhelm your holiday gift list this year. Step outside the shopping cart and buy your pals something that’ll get them off the couch and trying something new. Heck, treat yourself and tag along.
For indie crafters
Gift: Screenprinting lock-in
Cash: $5-$10 donation
Arts and crafts meets indie-rock slumber party during the overnight screenprinting “lock-ins” hosted by new DIY gallery and art shop No Coast Collective (1500 W. 17th St., 312-636-0971). Bunk at the shop’s Pilsen digs and learn hands-on art techniques focused on screenprinting, book binding and other crafty endeavors. Book a spot for the next lock-in happening Jan. 9. In the meantime, hit up No Coast’s Buy Something Handmade Day on Nov. 28, featuring demos and plenty of gifty ideas from its DIY store.
For party planners
Gift: Holiday dessert class
Cash: $30
Everyone knows someone who lives and dies by the cocktail soirees they throw around the holidays. Help them crank up their cuisine with a dessert class Dec. 13 at Opera (1301 S. Wabash Ave., 312-461-0161). Or take the class yourself and show up to the party with a tray of delectable sweets. Chef Beverly Kim shows you how to make several unique desserts and sends you home with recipes so you can make them again yourself. Class starts at 11:30 a.m.
For “Top Chef” junkies
Gift: Chef’s Table dinner
Cash: $55 plus tax and tip
Arm your giftee with the power to play Padma Lakshmi for an evening as chef Jonathan Fox offers up his latest creations during this monthly dinner at La Madia (59 W. Grand Ave., 312-329-0400). Get a firsthand look at Fox’s cooking techniques and then taste the results. Call now for a seat at the table on Jan. 3.
For beer snobs and endurance drinkers
Gift: Pub crawl
Cash: $30 plus cost of drinks at shopfesta.com/tbox
Give the gift of socialization — and lots of beer — during the annual 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl on Dec. 13. Score entry and lotsa deals on cocktails at 33 bars throughout Wrigleyville. Think you can drink your way through them all? The crawl starts at 10 a.m. from Cubby Bear (1059 W. Addison St., 773-327-1662), so time is on your side.
For Swing kids
Gift: Dance workshops
Cash: $30-$100
The $100 four-workshop gift certificate lets your swinger chose any four dance workshops at Big City Swing (1012 W. Randolph St., 312-243-0700) throughout the next year. Learn to swing, Lindy Hop or rock the Charleston; you don’t need a partner to participate. Can’t commit to a hundo? Give one workshop for $30.
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DIY gifting
Is the economy weighing down your gift budget? Invest in one of these classes and turn out handmade gifts in droves. L.B.
STICKY & SWEET CANDY MAKING
When: 11 a.m. Dec. 13
Where: Wooden Spoon, 5047 N. Clark St., 773-293-3190
Cost: $65
Takeaway: Sweet treats, including toffee, truffles and peppermint bark
NEW YEAR, NEW DATE BOOK AT PAPER SOURCE
When: 1 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: 919 W. Armitage Ave., 773-525-7300
When: 1 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: 2100 Central St., Evanston, 847-733-8830
Cost: $45
Takeaway: 2009 date book. Who doesn’t need one of those?
EARRINGS FOR BEGINNERS
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 8 or 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19
Where: Caravan Beads, 3361 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-248-9555
Cost: $28
Takeaway: Wire earrings that don’t cost a ton to remake
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lbalde@tribune.com
