Paint, pour and pass the cheer: Head out for a creative Christmas in Delhi

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Delhi – fairy lights glisten on Christmas trees with tables dressed in red, green, and white, and the notes of All I Want For Christmas Is You playing in the background. Across the city, cafés and art hubs are transforming into cosy, hands-on Christmas workshops, where the festive cheer comes with wreaths, buntings, winter fragrances, and edible treats.

‘Christmas is about togetherness, so themed art workshops are a hit’

“Christmas puts people in a festive mindset,” says artist Poulomi Bose of Pouls of Art, who is hosting multiple Christmas workshops in Gurgaon’s 32nd Avenue. “Everyone wants to step out, spend quality time, and do something meaningful together – and hands-on workshops make that possible.” Her sessions include wreath making, snow globe crafting, wood slice painting, felt toy making, fluid art, and gingerbread house decoration. “To add to the immersive experience, we’ve also set up a face-painting corner,” she adds.

Echoing the sentiment, Arushi Jain from Artphonso, which is set to host workshops, says, “Christmas is about coming together through cozy, community-led art workshops, sip-and-paint sessions, and a communal doodling wall. The Christmas-themed art workshops are a hit, as the vibe is warm and interactive. People will also be served with hot chocolate bombs.”

Takeaways: Quality time & a keepsake for Christmas

Whether it’s a sip-and-paint session with your gang or a cozy clay date, you can make the weekend before Christmas very artsy. “It’s about slowing down during a season that’s usually rushed. You get to sit with a parent, partner, or friend, talk, laugh, and make something together with your hands. What stays with you is the time spent and the little handmade piece you take home as a tangible memory of Christmas,” says Prakriti Chawla, founder of Bizyheart Studio, which hosts clay workshops.

“An immersive candle-making session in winter, especially around Christmas, is all about slowing down while being surrounded by warm lights, festive elements, and comforting winter fragrances,” says Vineet S Arora, founder of Rad Lvng. Talking about his Christmas special workshop, he says, “There is a special winter fragrance palette for the session. Participants will work with festive scents like bergamot, vanilla, frosted pine, sugarplum, and cinnamon cake, each designed to evoke the warmth and nostalgia of the holiday season. Guests also get to decorate their candles using Christmas and winter-inspired elements. By the end of the session, everyone leaves with a beautifully crafted, holiday-ready candle, a keepsake that smells like Christmas and feels just as comforting.”

Cafes that host these workshops are feeling the Christmas cheer too! “Twinkling lights, festive details, a special menu, and thoughtfully set tables, that’s how the cafe is prepped to host cosy, hands-on holiday workshops,” shares Sanjali Nirwani, founder of Unlocked, a cafe in Gurgaon. Ananya Yadav from Vean India, who is hosting a candle-making workshop at a cafe, says, “The workshop table will be inspired by a Christmas dinner table. Picture this: hot chocolate to be served and Christmas faves like Joy To The World and Jingle Bells being played in the background. It will be a slightly messy yet joyful session where we all learn and create with the community.”

'Expect a joyful atmosphere, shared tables, festive sips, and the simple pleasure of creating'

What's better than baking a cake on Christmas. "Christmas bake along feels like the most heart-warming way to bring the community together. The participants can look forward to a hands-on, Christmas experience — making everything from scratch with our chef’s guidance. From baking a festive Christmas cake and gingerbread cookies to learning how we prepare our mulled wine, the space will be filled with warm spices and fresh aromas. Expect a relaxed, joyful atmosphere, shared tables, festive sips, and the simple pleasure of creating and celebrating together at La Croûte in Sundar Nagar," says Ipsa Sambhi, chef and founder of the cafe. The cake bake along is being organised by Trove Experiences.

Christmas special workshops in the city

• Candle making
• Ornament decorating
• Mulled wine making
• Cookie decoration
• Wood slice painting
• Sip-n-paint session
• Christmas cake bakealong
• Clay date
• Eco-friendly wreath making