5 breezy courses to teach this holiday season

It's that time of the year when the white blanket of pristine snow covers the ground, the prosaic streets are spruced up with shiny lights, and the aroma of freshly baked sugar cookies fills up everyone’s homes. As we huddle under the warmth of a comforter, watching our favorite Christmas movie, let's welcome this holiday season with a gleeful heart and a joyful smile.

That said, not everyone spends their holidays the same way. Some may take a trip to escape the mundaneness of life, some may host a get-together for their families and friends, and some may spend the holiday all by themselves, sipping hot chocolate in their pajamas. And many people may wish to do or learn something new as a part of their New Year's resolutions.

We've compiled five skills that might come in handy, especially during your winter break. If you're already an expert in any of these skills, you can consider making an online course around it and sharing your knowledge on the topic.    

The nuances of making pastries 

Who doesn't love the crispy-outside and soft-inside texture of gingerbread? Or, the tangy but sweet flavor of a cheesecake? Whether it's to add varieties to your Christmas menu or simply to get into the holiday vibe, homemade pastries are a perfect choice.

We're not sure if baking is an art or a science, but we're sure it needs a careful dose of ingredients and patience to get the perfect pastry in the desired shape and taste. However, even if you're a beginner, you can easily master this skill, provided you spend enough time learning it.

There are several resources out there that show how to get started with baking. However, nothing beats the process of learning from a master, who can guide you along every step.

If you have already mastered this skill, you can use online course platforms to curate your knowledge into an online course and teach budding bakers.

Knit your way through the holidays 

What's a cozier gift for the winter than a hand-knitted stocking? Hand-knitted fabrics and toys add a personal touch to your gifts, showcasing the effort you put into making them. Knitted fabrics can be customized and offer a unique level of comfort.

Knitting can be fun, addictive, and a great way to kill time during the holidays, especially when you're spending it alone. Learning to knit requires patience and can even help you deal with depression and anxiety.      

Knitting can be easily learned regardless of your age. All you need is the time and patience to learn this therapeutic art. You can easily find people who have created courses around knitting on the internet.

A glimpse of history through pottery 

The art of pottery has existed since the dawn of mankind. Several pottery products ranging from the neolithic era onwards are treated as precious fossils even today. Apart from its historical value, pottery has been used to make many Christmas products, such as Christmas trees and ornaments, mugs, plates, and other decorative touches.

These ornaments, with their rustic look, will give you the vintage Christmas look. You can learn pottery either to decorate your house or to make a small profit during the holiday season—money you can then use to buy gifts for your family and friends.

However, learning pottery is pretty hard for beginners and requires several pieces of equipment such as glazes, a potter's wheel, and other pottery tools, which can get expensive. You will also need a dedicated space to learn pottery efficiently.

Teaching pottery can also be a bit of a hurdle when you’re starting out. However, with platforms like TrainerCentral, you can host one-on-one sessions in real time with your learners and guide them throughout their pottery journey.

Gift wrapping and the WOW factor 

Have you ever found the perfect holiday gift for someone, only to wrap it up in paper in the same boring way? Though the gift wrap paper is going to end up crushed, wrapping your gift in a creative, festive way with the right materials adds elegance and fanciness to the presentation of your gift.

In this holiday season, where you're spending most of your time preparing gifts for your loved ones, learning a couple of wrapping hacks could be helpful to smarten things up.

Learning the techniques of gift wrapping includes learning colors, understanding designs from different traditions (like Furoshiki wrapping), customizing the ribbon, and, of course, mastering the basics.   

Fun fact: Gift wrapping offers several benefits, such as improved motor and visuospatial   skills, and enhanced bilateral coordination.

Decorating the Christmas way 

Decorating makes up a big part of the holiday season. Whether it's embellishing your Christmas tree or bringing the holiday spirit to your front yard, decorating builds a bond among family and friends. The fun in choosing the best ornaments, setting up the centerpiece for the dining table, and the friendly banter while building a snowman— decorating for the season helps brings people closer.

Learning how to decorate your house goes a long way even after the wintertime, as it becomes a way of life. Also, sprucing up your surroundings helps you to relax and creates a pleasant appearance for your guests.  

If you're a passionate interior designer who wants to make some extra profit during the holidays, consider teaching others the basics of designing and landscaping.   

Dolce far Niente  

The Italian saying "Dolce far Niente" translates as, "the sweetness of doing nothing." 

However, it doesn't mean being lazy and loitering your time away. Though learning can be fun, don't let the peer pressure of constantly being productive burn you out. The holiday seasons are all about taking a break and spending time with your loved ones. Sit back, relax, and let this holiday season rejuvenate you. Happy Holidays!