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You can do it: Learn stuff, don't buy stuff

 
Published July 15, 2015

It's nice to get things sometimes (for instance, I'd really like a decent pancake griddle because my flapjack game is a laughing-hot mess). But in general, experiences are much more memorable, don't you think?

I encountered that firsthand this year. Making stained glass art never crossed my mind, and actually, it seemed too daunting to ever really try. Still, my mother enjoyed it when she was in her 20s, and as her retirement loomed, she mentioned she'd like to get back into it.

It was an opening to vie for Daughter of the Year (cue jumbo fan to blow heroic cape). For Christmas, I bought us classes at Lead Lines Stained Glass Studio in Dunedin. For $55 each, we spent several hours on a Saturday making glass sun catchers, using the studio's professional equipment with instruction from the staff. Coupled with lunch at Cafe Alfresco, it was a pretty perfect day neither of us will forget.

Inspired by Laura Reiley's Dining Planner this week, which has information on classes at Belleair Bluffs' William Dean Chocolates, I conjured up a few more ideas for experience-based gifts. (But if you see a good deal on a griddle, drop me a line.)

Glass blowing

The stained glass had moderate heat involved. Maybe next, we'll move up to full-on glass blowing. The Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg offers everything from ladies night classes for $75 to couples packages for $125 to more intense, multiple-session courses. And that's not to mention Morean's other classes in jewelry, metal, mixed media, clay and more. Check out moreanartscenter.org.

Painting

I went to a bachelorette party at Painting With a Twist, one of those franchise places where you reproduce a painting with the help of a staff artist. I was kind of skeptical, but I actually found it relaxing. And — shocker — I kind of liked my Starry Night-inspired end product that now hangs in my guest bedroom. Bonus: There was wine. Painting With a Twist has locations on all sides of the bay, so check paintingwithatwist.com.

Beer brewing

If you have $5,000 on hand, you could enroll in the new Brewing Arts Program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Or, you can check out a 90-minute Saturday class at Booth's Brewing & Bar Supply in Tampa. Classes of about 25 people gather and learn about the inner workings of beer and brewing equipment. Bonus once more: There are samples. The class is normally $50, but that leads me to the next tip.

Check Groupon

Booth's Brewing is currently running a Groupon offering the class for $25. I've also seen recent deals for flying lessons at Tampa Bay Aviation and sky dives at Skydiving Land in Plant City, plus discounts on guitar lessons, horseback riding, Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes and more. Say it with me, now: Group savings websites are life.

From this critics this weekend: Pop tarts Ariana Grande and Sam Smith are in town. Amy Schumer is bringing the funny to a theater near you. Juniper Springs has sweet swimming for these hot summer days. And you'll definitely want to know about the popup cat cafe coming to Ybor City. Meow.