Christmas Workshop Series

Tutor: Far North REAP ACE Team - Lola & Atawhai

This three-workshop series is centred around the festive season and provides practical, cost-effective ways for participants to celebrate Christmas without placing additional strain on household budgets. Through a combination of a Kai on a Budget workshop, a Christmas-themed sewing workshop, and an Advent calendar workshop, participants will gain ideas for affordable festive menus, homemade decorations, and thoughtful handmade gifts. The series aims to inspire creativity, build practical skills, and support families to create meaningful Christmas experiences on a budget.

Learning Outcomes:

Workshop #1 - Festive Feast on a budget

Learners will:

• Plan a budget-friendly Christmas menu using affordable and accessible ingredients.

• Identify cost-saving strategies for purchasing and preparing festive meals.

• Prepare simple Christmas dishes that can feed a family while reducing food costs.

• Apply budgeting and meal-planning skills to future family celebrations and special occasions.

Workshop #2 - Sew it’s Christmas

Learners will:

• Demonstrate basic sewing machine safety and operation skills.

• Follow a simple sewing pattern to create a functional bag.

• Use measuring, cutting, and stitching techniques to complete a sewing project.

• Apply newly acquired sewing skills to create practical household items, gifts, or future craft projects.

Workshop #3 - The Advent Event - D.I.Y Advent Calendar

• Create a personalised Christmas advent calendar using craft materials and books.

• Assemble simple craft kits and activities suitable for family participation during the festive season.

• Explore creative and low-cost ways to engage children and whānau in Christmas traditions.

• Develop planning and crafting skills to create meaningful holiday experiences without significant expense.

Costs: $5 per workshop, per person