Children and adults alike love to create their own gifts for those special people on their Christmas list. Whether it’s a ceramic handprint, an ornament crafted with love, a new furry stuffed friend for your collection, a piece of beaded jewelry or a quilt for charity, there is ample opportunity to celebrate your creativity here in the Las Vegas Valley. This may be the perfect time to learn a new skill, start a new tradition, perfect an old favorite craft or simply join with others to take a class and enjoy the companionship that comes with learning together. Whatever the reason and whomever you are going to gift with your original creation, this is one of the most satisfying and enduring experiences.

Color Me Mine (Ceramics)
The District @ GVR
2255 Village Walk Drive #133
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 522-1338
www.hendersoncolormemine.com

Every holiday season, Color Me Mine has special projects for budding “artists” to create for themselves and as gifts for others. Children especially enjoy this hands-on experience, creating their own beautifully crafted hand prints (the perfect gift for grandma or godparents) and seasonal decorations or ornaments that vary from year to year. This is the place for kids and adults to get creative, individually or in a group. You can even book a party at its Paint-It-Yourself Ceramic Studio.

Whitney Ranch Recreational Center
Santa’s Workshop
1575 Galleria Drive
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 267-5850
www.recreation.cityofhenderson.com

Date: December 8 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ages: 6 to 13

At Santa’s Workshop, kids make a take-home present and design their own wrapping paper in which to carefully wrap it. The event also features games, a special treat and a few holiday cartoons. This popular workshop gives parents the opportunity to do their own gift shopping while their children are safe in the care of the Whitney Ranch staff. It offers children the opportunity to make that “just right” gift for someone in their family. Registration is required by December 1.

Related: Top Photographers For Kids In Las Vegas

Sweet Beads
5734 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 629-6010
www.sweetbeads.com

If you ever wanted to learn how to create a piece of original beadwork as a gift, this is the place to start. You can take any number of classes to learn the craft and then let the creativity begin. There’s a vast amount of beads and fixings available, and the instructors are friendly and very approachable. Let your individuality shine and surprise someone with a handmade heirloom for Christmas.

Bead Jungle
1590 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 160
Henderson, NV 89012
(702) 432-2323
www.beadjungle.com

Bead Jungle teaches beadwork and beginning metal workshops to allow you to create that perfect gift for yourself or someone on your shopping list. In November, there are classes scheduled to make intricate beaded Christmas ornaments and some fantastic “bling” projects, too. December is sure to offer more of the same. This store is one of the most comprehensive bead shops in town, so once you get the process down, you will be free to be as creative as your imagination allows. Check out Bead Jungle’s Christmas Classic and Holiday Hustle ornament designs and prepare for a beading experience that is second to none.

Fabric Boutique 
4465 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 878-0068

You are assured of finding a huge assortment of quilting fabric and accessories at the Fabric Boutique, but this is also where quilters take classes, purchase kits and get advice from the friendly, knowledgeable staff. One of its special workshops is its “Charity Sew-In for Breast Cancer” which takes place every third Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is no sign up or class fee required. Like-minded individuals simply show up to create quilts for charities. The next date for this class is December 16, 2012, so why not give the gift of your time and skill at an event that is on-going throughout the year? What better time could there be to create something special for someone else than during the holiday season?

Related: Top Places For Rekindling Romance In Las Vegas

Sharon Damon is a preschool specialist, avid reader, passionate writer and creative baker/ cook. She has been a cooking instructor at a local Rec Center in Henderson, NV since 2011, and has written for Examiner and other publications since 2010. She knows her way around the keyboard and the kitchen! Sharon moved from a small city in Canada to Las Vegas 6 years ago, to marry the love of her life, and has since been swept up in the whirlwind known as Sin City. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.