Alternative Christmas Gift Ideas

Not to panic you, but Christmas is just around the corner and the high streets are buzzing with shoppers rushing to fill their baskets. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure my friends and family are sick of unwrapping socks, calendars, and pretty much anything with the word 'novelty' in the title each year, so in a quest to think outside the box, here's some alternative Christmas gift ideas to spice up your shopping list.

Cookery Classes At Belfast Cookery School

Belfast Cookery School aims to encourage everyone to enjoy their cooking experience, and covers everything from quick meals to fine cuisine. Booking a class for your loved one is the gift that keeps on giving, as they are sure to come home with a revitalised passion for cooking, and may even try out some of their new skills for you to taste.

Top-class chefs offer a range of classes, including The Ultimate Christmas Dinner, Mexican Cuisine, Cocktail Academy and Christmas Baking, among many others.

You can purchase gift vouchers which can be used online or at the school, in exchange for a class led by handpicked resident and guest chefs who are all experts in their culinary fields.

Classes range from £30-£60 and can be booked online at Belfast Cookery School Class

Shortcross Gin Experience At Rademon Estate Distillery

Let the fun be-gin this Christmas by gifting a trip to the Rademon Estate Distillery for the Shortcross Gin Experience.

If there's a gin enthusiast in your family, a distillery tour is the ideal gift and will be sure to earn you some brownie points, or maybe even an invite to tag along.

A short 30 minute drive from Belfast City Centre, Rademon Estate boasts the most awarded gin on the island of Ireland. The Shortcross team will educate you on the process of harvesting local botanicals and how they distil the much-loved spirit on their bespoke copper pot.

Guests are also granted the opportunity to meet the distiller and founders of the company, and are invited to relax and end the experience with a gin and tonic.

A full bar service is available which offers Shortcross Cocktails, and as a thank you for visiting, you will be gifted a branded glass and a £5 voucher towards an onsite bottle purchase.

Tickets are priced at £20.

To book this fabulous Christmas gift experience, visit Shortcross Gin Experience

Fill A Date In Next Year's Calendar With Tickets To An SSE Arena Event

Even if you tend to procrastinate on your holiday shopping, booking tickets to an event or concert at the SSE arena means there is still something to look forward to once the festivities are over and the Christmas tree is packed away. With lots to chose from, there's something for everyone coming up in 2019.

• X Factor Live Tour
As the popular singing competition has come to an end for another year, tickets to the X factor live tour are a crowd-pleasing present for all fans of the show.
Kicking off in February, contestants will perform classic songs and viewers' favourites from the TV series.
Head to Ticketmaster to ensure you don't miss the opportunity to gift your loved one with the chance to see this year's stars perform live on Wednesday 06 March: X factor Live Tour
Prices range from £22 to £38.

• Blue Planet II Live In Concert
For the nature lovers out there, tickets to the live concert version of Blue Planet II make for a great gift experience.
Featuring film sequences from the Bafta award-winning show narrated by David Attenborough, the stunning visuals are accompanied by a musical performance of Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Flemming compositions by a Full Symphony Orchestra.
The wonders of the blue planet will be displayed on a 200 square meter 4K Ultra HD LED screen, creating an epic show that is sure to be a hit with fans of the Sunday night programme.
The immersive experience comes to the SSE Arena on Saturday 23 March at 8pm.
Tickets range from £38 to £65 and can be booked here: Blue Planet II- Live In Concert

• The Wonderful World Of Disney On Ice
Tickets to Disney on Ice will add a touch of excitement to your child's Santa sack on Christmas morning or make you a hit with your nieces and nephews.
Join Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they venture through a treasure-filled journey bound for adventure.
Audiences can relive the magic of their favourite Disney films as the show skates into Belfast from Friday 03 May 2019 until Sunday 05, with a range of morning, afternoon and evening shows on offer.
Seated tickets are priced from £18 to £46 and can be booked at The Wonderful World Of Disney On Ice

Game Of Thrones Style Glamping Experience

If your other half is enamoured with white walkers, dragons, and people who like to talk about winter, a night of Game of Thrones style glamping will definitely put a smile on their face.

Fans of George R.R. Martin's epic fantasy series can bed down in a glamping pod at the filming location used for Winterfell Castle, which is situated at Castle Ward in Strangford.

A replica of the Winterfell Archery Range will transport you into the world of Westeros, where you can dress in a Stark costume and enjoy firing arrows, before exploring the 10 other Game of Thrones filming hotspots on the demesne.

For your day cycling the grounds and recreating your favourite Game of Thrones moments, you'll be provided with a Stark Sack, containing a Medieval Scroll map, costumes, and role play swords.

A one night mini break is priced at £250 per couple.

For more information, visit: Game Of Thrones Style Clamping

Half Days Sailing On The Antrim Coast

For a gift to cover all the family and something to look forward to in the summer months, why not book a half days sailing on the Antrim coast?

You can learn the ropes of sailing on a 30' yacht or simply relax and enjoy the scenic views of Northern Ireland's eastern coastline.

Whether your dad is a sailing enthusiast, you fancy a day out with friends or some dolphin spotting with the kids, anyone can enjoy this experience for up to five people at a time.

The three-hour trips depart from Ballycastle Marina and can be tailored to suit the type of sailing you wish for, such as a full crossing to Rathlin Island, a sail to Ballintoy harbour, or staying near the bay to focus on boat handling and sailing skills.

Passengers are encouraged to get as much hands on sailing experience as possible.

A half-day sail for up to 5 people costs £250 and gift vouchers can be purchased at: Half Days Sailing Voucher

(JG)