ADULT education provider, ACL Essex, is launching a range of Christmas courses this December, from wreathmaking to festive pottery classes to help people of Harlow get crafty and make their own presents and decorations.

For a chance to develop pottery skills and make small Christmas presents, ‘Pottery Christmas Gifts’ is being held. Available over a period of two to three weeks in the morning, afternoon or evening, the course enables learners to produce a small, hand-crafted gift, such as a stylish bowl or a hand-painted mug.

Residents can also create unique artworks for Christmas cards, or sketches of a family member or favourite pet in the two-week course ‘Art for Christmas’. Tutors will also be available to offer advice on how to reprint artwork to make personalised Christmas and greeting cards.

All the family can join in the fun this Christmas with a range of crafting workshops being held across the county. These fun interactive courses for the family will show crafters of all ages how to make homemade gifts to give to loved ones.

There are also wreathmaking courses, Christmas-themed floristry arrangement courses, and ‘Christmas Crochet’, an online self-study course where learners can develop their skills to crochet a foundation row and use traditional stitches to make small gifts.

Lisa Jarentowski, ACL Essex Principal said: “We love celebrating Christmas here at ACL Essex! There are so many fun courses on offer across the county, where residents can get stuck in and get into the spirit of the season.”

She added: “This year we are in a cost of living crisis, so we hope our courses can help people make their own Christmas decorations or produce gifts that are handmade and truly made with love this year.”

ACL Essex is also offering one-off courses, such as ‘Mindfulness at Christmas’ and ‘Self Care at Christmas’, aimed at parents who would like some wellbeing support going into the festive season.

Courses will be held at ACL centres countywide or online. To discover more about festive courses at ACL Essex centres this year, visit www.aclessex.com/christmas-courses.