13 Days of Unconventional Columbus Christmas Gifts: Day 9
Today officially makes the midway point until Christmas. Now, sure — thirteen days is a bit arbitrary especially considering the song only goes up to 12, but here in Columbus we like to do things 8% better than everyone else.
So we’re going to thirteen! Starting today, we’ll be giving you a list of awesome gift ideas that aren’t your typical “scented candle” or “bath bombs with hand lotion” present package.
On the first day of christmas my true love gave to me…
Classes to Learn Ballroom Dancing
The above video is what #pro dancing looks like, it’ll probably take you a couple hundred lessons to get here.
1.) Groupon’s legit deal for a couple — with their current price you could be dancing the night away like Fred Astaire and …(quickly searches for similar era female dancer) Ginger Rogers! Yeah! For $40 bucks, you could get 5 dancing lessons for you and your partner. If that isn’t romantic then think ahead to when you’re double dippin’ and flippin’ around like true Ballroom Dancers!
2.) If you’re like me and only want to do things that you can jump headfirst into then maybe Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio is more in line with your goals. Recognized as the #1 most popular dance studio in Columbus Ohio by Consumers Choice Award for 11 consecutive years Consumers Choice Award Letter. Arthur Murray was the 2nd Franchise Business Created in US history with over 100 years in teaching dance instruction. Home of the largest ballroom competition The Ohio Star Ball, that started at the Arthur Murray Columbus Studio 36 years ago, by Sam Sodano Head of the Arthur Murray International Dance Board & Professional Coach and Dance Trainer at Arthur Murray, Columbus. They come in a bit pricier ($89 for five lessons) than the first option, but you’re guaranteed to be taught be someone who probably lives, eats and breathes ballroom dancing.
3.) Does the jeering and laughing of your peers as they watch you stumble and fail turn you off of learning new things? Well maybe private lessons are closer to your ideal way to learn something — with Emerald City Ballroom Dance club you can nab a gift certificate ($135) for private lessons! “Private lessons are the fastest way to learn how to dance and are great for developing leading and following skills, partnering skills and proper dance technique. Individuals who take private instructions learn 10x faster and will look more polished than those who only take group classes.” Boom! Get better 10x faster.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
Cooking Classes In a Group or Privately
The Kitchen: Owners Anne Boninsegna and Jen Lindsey are anything but traditional and their cooking classes at their German Village space shout that loud and proud. Hosting hands-on parties, social experiences built around a crafting chef-approved recipes. The night is the perfect DIY date, where you can team up and help craft the meal of your dreams. The Kitchen owners are there to help in times of dire stress but their main goals are that everyone has fun learning a new recipe or technique. Register for one of their monthly public dinner parties or plan a private dining event customized specifically for your group.
Franklin Park Conservatory: Sure, they got bonzai trees and adorable little cacti but did you know they also host an awesome cooking class? The adult courses consist of everything from knife skills to how to make vegan cooking (New Year’s Resolution) by instructors using ingredients straight from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus on site. Classes in December run through the next week, but start again at the beginning of the year, a perfect gift for your Food Channel binge watching special someone.
The Hills Market: The popular quick stop for wine, coffee and delicious foods, Hills Market, is a locally-owned specialty grocer that also offers private demonstration cooking classes! Whoa! You can buy your kale and learn how to prep it in the same place. Private classes run start at the beginning of the year and can accommodate groups of 12-32 people. So hey, maybe you can splurge on your office christmas gift to the crew. Some of the chefs that have taught these classes include chefs from Barcelona, Lindey’s, and Basi Italia. Learn a dish from your favorite chef, from your favorite restaurant with your favorite people — what’s not to love?
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On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
Make Your Own Microbrew
North High Brewing: Making your own beer is kind of intimidating, there’s a lot of cost involved, and a lot of trial and error if you’ve never made it before. North High Brewing takes what could be an exhausting failure into guaranteed, fool proof beers. You can be a brewmaster for a day with no worries as to what to bring because they already have all the supplies, including the recipes, the tools, and the know-how. You can go alone or split the cost of a session will all your friends. In the end, you get to take home an entire keg of handmade, fresh beer, or about six to seven cases of beer. Sounds like a win, amirite?
Buckeye Brewcraft: If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and dive deep in the world of craft beers, then Buckeye Brewcraft is the place where you can all your supplies, tools, and ingredients. You’re not intimidated, you’re not afraid of failure, you’ve done your research and you’re ready to roll. We only ask that if your brew turns out to be mana from heaven, you share it with the rest of us.
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On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
Blow Your Own Glass
Glass Axis: The wild-child, free range artist in your life needs this. They probably already have all the paint brushes and acrylic paints they’ll ever need, so this year, give them something a little different. Glass Axis works with all age ranges, and the cost is fairly cheap ranging anywhere from $30 for handmade ornaments or beads, to $500 multi-day glass blowing classes where you learn to make stained glass windows. And it’s a gift that keeps on giving, once your special someone learns how to make glass, you’ll never need to buy another cup or ornament ever again. That’s how that works, right?
Franklin Park Conservatory: If you think glass blowing is dangerous but super cool to watch, then take you and the kiddos to the Conservatory from 11 AM to 2 PM through the end of December. Every step of the process if taught through professional glass blowers and artist in a 25-minute session, all the while they create beautiful and fantastical glass art pieces. If you change your mind and do want to blow your own glass, you can make an appointment right then and there — they offer classes as well.
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We forgot to account for weekends, so…
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
A Membership to Gateway Film Theater
Gateway Film Center rocks and you can become a member! It’s like the simplest gift for you movie lovers out there and 2017 is shaping up to be a doozy of a year! So what do you get with a membership?
You get unlimited movies, bottomless popcorn, restaurant discounts and more! myGFC members get the ultimate insider experience.
MEMBERSHIP PERKS
- Unlimited movies
- Bottomless popcorn
- $5 Pizzas and $5 Torpedos in The Torpedo Room
- Advanced screenings
- Special member-only events
Check out our interview with GFC President Chris Hamel, where he announces CULT 101, Gateway Film Center’s most ambitious year long event ever.
Memberships start at $24.95 and for a duet 44.95 which is a $5 discount. Woo hoo!
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On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…
The Gift of Inner Peace 
Replenish Spa Co-Op: The holidays are often stressful — too focused on the gifts and not the gift of giving, and that’s why this list is so important! Replenish Spa gives you personalized body care, they charge on time rather than service, so you can the most out of each experience. Yoga, manicures, and skin care, oh my! Located in the Discovery District, it’s the perfect place to take a break from all that holiday nonsense.
Queer Yoga: A safe place to find inner peace for LGBTQ members and allies, and it’s just six bucks a class.“We endeavor to cultivate an atmosphere of acceptance and community in all we do, from sun salutations to post-yoga snack time.” Don’t worry about being a yoga pro, this class caters to both
beginners and experts.
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