If you find buying Christmas gifts, or indeed any gift, a challenge, then why not try to make something truly personalised and bespoke instead?
There’s a reason handmade gifts are treasured so much more—they’re packed with emotion, effort, and thought. Crafting something with your own hands and transforming them into heartfelt presents symbolises your care more than words ever could. Imagine the look on your loved one’s face when they receive a beautifully-crafted, unique gift made just for them. Here are some workshops in Jakarta that will have you turning your creativity into a thoughtful present.
Pottery Workshops at Tanakita Ceramics
If you want to make a Christmas gift that is both beautiful and functional, pottery is the answer. Tanakita Ceramics offers immersive pottery workshops that will give you a mindful, hands-on experience in creating your own clay masterpiece. You can mould your own quirky coffee mug, elegant vase, or unique plates that are guaranteed to delight the recipient, especially when they know their present was made by your own hands.
With beginner-friendly courses focusing on hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques, Tanakita will guide you from the basics of kneading and shaping clay to the intricate chemistry of painting your fired creation. The process is slow, steady, and deeply rewarding. The instructors are very experienced and thorough, guiding you through the preparation, firing, and painting stages.
For those more serious about pottery, Tanakita also offers four-week courses designed to take you from novice to pro. But even if you’re just looking for a unique weekend activity, their workshops will leave you with a sense of peace—and an incredibly thoughtful gift to boot.
Available at Barnyard Jakarta, Kemang, and Jalan Tanjung Duren Barat IV No.1, Grogol, West Jakarta
Bookings and Info: IG: @tanakitaceramics | tanakitaceramics.com
Batik Workshop at Rumah Batik Palbatu
If you’re in the mood for something distinctly Indonesian, why not try your hand at batik? Rumah Batik Palbatu offers a batik stamping workshop where you can create your very own batik fabric. Imagine gifting a friend or family member a batik scarf or wrap that you designed and made yourself. Not only will you impress them with your thoughtful present, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of learning a traditional art form that requires patience and skill.
From the educational intro to batik, to learning the intricate stamping and dyeing process, every step is a lesson in heritage and creativity. The six-step process, including stamping, colouring, and the final “lorod” (removing wax), ensures that every piece you create is one of a kind. And hey, by the end, you’ll be able to tell the difference between real batik and a knock-off—a gift in itself!
Available at Jalan Pal Batu 1, No.6, Menteng Dalam, Tebet.
Bookings and Info: +62 8568154723 | IG: @rumahbatik.palbatu
Perfumery Workshops at Naami Scents Academy
Scents are deeply personal, intertwined with memories, and if you want to show your gift recipient how much you care, this perfumery workshop is the perfect place. Naami Scents Academy combines world-class expertise from over 30 certification programs in Korea to bring the magic of scent creation to Jakarta. From professional classes to beginner workshops, they teach you all you need to know about the art of perfumery.
For this festive season, you can dive into a one-day perfume workshop and explore the process of blending and bottling your custom scent to give to your special recipient. Choose scents that they love, or that you feel represents who they are.
Their perfumery class lasts three hours, where you’ll learn the basics of perfumery, explore 30 different scents, and leave with your very own personalised 30ml bottle of premium fragrance oil (EDP type) from France and Korea. If you want a larger perfume that lasts even longer, you can upgrade your creation to 50ml for an additional fee. Join as a solo adventurer or gather your friends and enjoy it as an intimate group activity.
Available at Naami Scents Academy Studio, Taman Semanan Indah, West Jakarta
Bookings and Info: +62 878-8851-3871 | naami.scents@gmail.com | IG: @naamiscents.academy | naamiscents.com
Candle Making Workshop at KLEI Studio Academy
KLEI Studio Academy’s workshop blends the intricate process of candle-making with the allure of perfumery, resulting in a bespoke and wholesome gift. At this candle-making workshop, participants embark on a journey to craft their own candle from scratch. The session begins with Candle Crafting Basics, where participants learn how to create a candle that looks beautiful and fills a home with warmth. Next, attendees dive into Perfumery Basics, learning how top, middle, and base notes work together to form a balanced fragrance.
The highlight is the Fragrance Blending segment, where participants experiment with over 30 individual fragrance notes. Guided by experts, they create a custom scent—a truly unique aroma to gift or enjoy at home. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with a beautifully handcrafted 170g scented candle and a workbook filled with valuable tips for future creations.
Available at KSA Lounge at Amber Beauty Bar, 3rd floor, Kebayoran Arcade Bintaro, South Tangerang City Bookings: +6287716186444 | klei.studioo@gmail.com | IG: @klei.studioo | kleistudioworkshop.com
Jewellery-Making at Karya Workshop
Better than just purchasing expensive bracelets and rings, making them from scratch will give you a deeper appreciation for the craft—something you can share when gifting your carefully wrapped piece.
That’s exactly what you’ll get from the metalsmithing workshops at Karya Workshop. For those who aren’t familiar with what metalsmithing exactly is, here, they will learn about the process of creating jewellery by shaping, forming, and manipulating various metals such as gold, silver, copper, and brass.In these workshops, you’ll explore the basics of metalsmithing, from working with metals to the possibilities each material presents. Whether you’re crafting a dainty pendant, a bold ring, or personalised earrings, you’ll learn everything from soldering to shaping and polishing.
Karya Workshops provide private sessions for 1-3 people, where you’ll receive personalised attention and full access to the tools. There are also group workshops if you want to make it a fun activity with friends and family. The time for these workshops varies depending on your preference. The shortest is 3 hours, during which you’ll create simple but stunning pieces like rings or pendants. The longer 5-hour session allows for more intricate designs, like earrings or keychains. For those who want to dive deep, Karya offers 3-day or even 5-day workshops, where you’ll master both basic techniques and advanced skills like stone setting and casting.
Bookings and Info: +62 81281118689 | kalakkara.id@gmail.com | IG: @karya.workshop
