Great offer in Vienna

Experience arts and crafts and make your own gifts

Skilled and creative minds can make their own nativity figures this year.(Bild: Alexander Hoffmann)

Arts and crafts come alive in Vienna at Christmas time: Workshops for carving, leatherworking and embroidery.

As the festive pre-Christmas season approaches, Vienna is not just about punch and mulled wine or sometimes stressful Christmas shopping. Arts and crafts also come alive in the capital. Vienna's arts and crafts businesses offer a variety of workshops ranging from carving and leatherworking to textile art and ceramics. We have summarized the best addresses:

• Holzhandwerk Wien: At Weißgasse 3, participants can make their own nativity figures in carving courses.

• Lederlab: If you fancy leather, you can learn how to make handmade bags at Lederlab (Cumberlandstrasse 54, 1140).

• At the Elisabeth Rössler textile gallery, participants can look forward to creative workshops where they can learn everything from Japanese embroidery to silk painting. The courses take place at various locations in and around Vienna. Info: www.textilgalerie.at.

• At the Renate Gerlach Ceramics Workshop, participants learn the basics of working with ceramics and design their own works of art in creative workshops with clay. Info: www.renategerlach.com.

• The art of engraving is offered by artisan Kapeller. Info: www.messermacher.at.

"We invite everyone to experience the magic of arts and crafts, create unique gifts and enjoy a creative Christmas season together," says Maria Neumann, Chairwoman of the Trade and Crafts Division of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.

Another highlight of the pre-Christmas period is the arts and crafts Advent market at the arteum sculpture center. Until December 21, visitors can discover handmade works of art and gift ideas from 25 artisans. Anyone still looking for a creative Christmas present has a good chance of finding what they are looking for.