Best Places To Create Your Own Holiday Gifts In Minnesota
Gift giving is a large part of the holidays, and for children, there are few things more rewarding than being able to participate from beginning to end in creating those gifts. Thankfully for children and families who may not be "crafty" and need help making gifts, there are stores that can assist. Here are five of the best places to create your own Christmas gifts in Minnesota.
Art as You Like It
109 Division St.
Waite Park, MN 56837
(320) 257-2787
www.artasyoulikeit.net
Both children and adults can create a number of different Christmas gifts at Art as You Like It. The studio provides all of the tools needed for pottery painting, fused-glass projects and canvas painting. Pottery projects for Christmas can be created in groups or individually with the option to paint the pottery in the studio or even take it home to work on as a family and then bring it back to the studio for firing. This gives families an opportunity to create one-of-a-kind keepsakes with the help of pottery experts in the studio. It is advised that groups of four or more call ahead to ensure space availability.
Beadniks
Mall of America
368 N. Garden
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 854-9951
www.beadniks.com
Adults and children interested in creating unique jewelry for holiday presents will want to stop in at Beadniks. Beadniks is one of the largest bead sellers in the world. This spot not only provides all of the supplies and tools for rent that are necessary in creating handmade beaded jewelry, but it has staff members who are able to assist in making the perfect bracelet or necklace. A number of different styles of earrings can be created for as low as $3. Beadniks also holds classes and workshops throughout the year for those interested in learning how to make their own jewelry.
Related: Holiday Gifts Kids Can Make for Parents
Paint Your Plate
5027 France Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 929-6666
www.paintyourplate.webs.com
Paint Your Plate has two locations, one on France Avenue and the other on Grand Avenue. Visitors at either studio are able to paint a plate or select from hundreds of different types of items ranging from dishes to dog bowls, depending upon the preference of the painter (and who the gift is for). Visitors may also hold a gift-creating party which includes set up and clean up in the party room and a lesson from a Paint Your Plate staff member.
Kidcreate Studio
7918 Mitchell Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
(952) 974-3438
www.kidcreatestudio.com
Kidcreate Studio is an art studio designed specifically for children. There are various art programs, classes and parties available throughout the year, but for Christmas, Kidcreate Studio will hold its Twas the Night Before Workshop. At this workshop, children ages three to nine are inspired by Clement Clarke Moore's poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and create a 3D Christmas Eve scene, perfect to give as a gift at Christmas. Check the website for other winter break and Hanukkah classes. There is also a Kidcreate Studio in Woodbury.
The Framing Place and Gallery
1268 S. Robert St.
West St. Paul, MN 55118
(651) 457-1693
www.framingplaceandgallery.com
Children that have a piece of art already created (such as the handprint everyone makes in kindergarten) or a special photo of themselves may enjoy visiting this store to have it framed. The Framing Place and Gallery offers a wide variety of framing and mat cutting options as well as shadow box framing, which makes any picture a work of art and also protects and preserves the art for years after it has been created.
Related: Best Places for Kids to Shop for Holiday Gifts
Christina Majaski is a full-time legal assistant and freelance writer for online and print publications. She has an obsession for all things related to social media and invites you to follow along with her on Twitter @cmajaski. She currently resides with her daughter in central Minnesota. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
