Stories

How to Host the Ideal Hens Party for an Introvert

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By ClassBento Team

Create a memorable hens party for the bride-to-be who enjoys time with her nearest and dearest with these nine unique ideas!

Make Chocolate Truffles with R&M Fine Chocolate

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By ClassBento Team

Meet head chocolatier, Raanan Malkin, founder of R&M Fine Chocolates!

How to Create a Beautiful but Easy Watercolour Painting

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By ClassBento Team

Master the art of watercolours with these fun-filled painting classes in Australia and create your own unique masterpiece today!

Unconventional Gifts for Friends Who Have Everything

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By ClassBento Team

Give your loved ones DIY presents they'll remember with these unique experience gift ideas in Australia, guaranteed to bring a smile to their faGive your loved ones DIY presents they'll remember with these unique experience gift ideas in Australia, guaranteed to bring a smile to their face. ...

Why DIY Soy Candle Making Kits Will Transform Your Home

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By Sam Bowden

Needing a bit of a change around the house? Soy candle making kits can help transform the vibe of your living space.

Express Your Gratitude with These Thoughtful Gifts for Her

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By ClassBento Team

From cooking workshops to floristry classes, show the special lady in your life just how much you care with these thoughtful gifts for her!

To Spice or Not to Spice: Can Chilli Improve Your Health

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By Susana Aguilera

Find out how to add more chilli to your food and what the benefits of chilli are at a Melbourne cooking class near you with a focus on spicy cuiFind out how to add more chilli to your food and what the benefits of chilli are at a Melbourne cooking class near you with a focus on spicy cuisine. ...

9 Top Hens Party Ideas to Relax the Bride-to-be in 2025

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By Kellie Maloney

Wedding planning can be stressful, indulge your bride-to-be with these relaxing hens party ideas in 2025 to help her ease some worries and haveWedding planning can be stressful, indulge your bride-to-be with these relaxing hens party ideas in 2025 to help her ease some worries and have fun! ...

Fun DIY Crafts You Should Learn from an Expert

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By ClassBento Team

If you’re keen to give crafting a go, check out these fun-filled DIY craft workshops in Australia for some creative inspiration!

Learn Acrylic Painting for Beginners and Make a Masterpiece

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By ClassBento Team

Shake up your routine and discover a new hobby with acrylic painting classes in Australia, perfect for birthdays, team building activities, dateShake up your routine and discover a new hobby with acrylic painting classes in Australia, perfect for birthdays, team building activities, date nights and more. ...

Want to Learn to Cook Like a Pro? Discover Australia's Top Culinary Schools

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By ClassBento Team

Learn to cook and discover a world of delicious new flavours with the help of Australia’s finest culinary schools!

Meet the Real House Dogs of ClassBento

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By Katie Milton

You’ll never guess what they get up to…

Craft Ideas for Adults to Improve Mental Wellbeing

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By Jana Lepojevic

Need a creative outlet that’s good for the soul? Dive into these mental-health boosting craft ideas and discover how crafting can be your new go-toNeed a creative outlet that’s good for the soul? Dive into these mental-health boosting craft ideas and discover how crafting can be your new go-to for relaxation! ...

Create Memories (Not Clutter) with These Unique Present Ideas

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By ClassBento Team

Treat your loved ones to memories that will last a lifetime with our vast collection of unique experience gifts in Australia.

Why Arts and Crafts for Kids Build Self Confidence

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By Sam Bowden

Arts and craft classes for kids in Melbourne are a wonderful way to help build your child's self esteem and confidence. Here's why.

9 Awesome Gifts for Aunties Who Value Quality Time

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By ClassBento Team

Discover experience gifts for an aunty that will have her smiling from ear to ear – making memories together beats a boring box of chocolates!

Tried-And-Tested Gift Ideas for Mums Without a Wishlist

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By ClassBento Team

Struggling to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift for a mum without a wishlist? Explore our curated selection of thoughtful gift ideas for Mum!

Explore Your Inner Artist with Paint and Sip Classes in Australia

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By ClassBento Team

Channel your inner Picasso and sample some delicious wine at the same time with paint and sip classes in Australia! You don't need any experienceChannel your inner Picasso and sample some delicious wine at the same time with paint and sip classes in Australia! You don't need any experience to join! ...

How to Build Better Boundaries If You WFH

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By Courtenay Turner

Discover how to relieve stress, reduce the likelihood of burnout and improve your overall mental and physical wellbeing.

7 Crafty After School Activities for Kids

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By Sam Bowden

Chasing down quirky and creative after school activities for kids? Here are some of our best offerings from two of our best kids providers!

Smash Gift-Giving Stereotypes with These Unique Presents for Her

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By ClassBento Team

On the hunt for unique presents for her? Discover a whole host of gift experiences for women who like to challenge themselves and get creative!

Best Anniversary Gifts for Men in Australia

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By Annie Symmonds

Uncover the best anniversary gift ideas for men in Australia this year and surprise your lover with an unforgettable experience gift.

Discover Australia's Top Painting Classes for Adults

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By ClassBento Team

Unwind as you learn painting and dive into a world of colour at some of our best painting classes in Australia.

Rejuvenating Birthday Party Ideas for Mum in 2025

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By Annie Symmonds

Spoil Mum on her birthday with rejuvenating birthday party activities that she can to use to reset and celebrate! Perfect birthday party ideas forSpoil Mum on her birthday with rejuvenating birthday party activities that she can to use to reset and celebrate! Perfect birthday party ideas for Mums. ...

Birthday Presents for Dads Who Love to Cook

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By Annie Symmonds

Get Dad feeling empowered in the kitchen with these birthday gift for Dads in Australia, from Mexican cooking classes to pasta making workshops.

Gourmet E Gift Cards for Adults Who Love Artisan Experiences

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By ClassBento Team

Discover gourmet experiences! Explore gift card ideas for delightful classes & workshops

7 Productive Fun Things to do in Self Isolation

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By Sam Bowden

Fighting the tedium is crucial when looking for things to do during self isolation, so we've compiled a couple of pro-tips and suggestions to helpFighting the tedium is crucial when looking for things to do during self isolation, so we've compiled a couple of pro-tips and suggestions to help you push through quarantine season! ...

Stylish Party Ideas for a Sophisticated Hens Night

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By ClassBento Team

Plan a hens night that will go down in the history books with our range of classy hens party ideas across Australia!

Holiday Favourites: Pressy Sankaran, General Manager USA

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By ClassBento Team

Get to know the faces behind ClassBento and discover which workshops have made it to their top of their Christmas wish list!

Top 10 Experience Gifts for Men in 2025

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By Sarah Hinds-Friedl

Celebrate a special occasion with these top 10 experience gifts for men in Sydney and give him the best present based on his interests and passionsCelebrate a special occasion with these top 10 experience gifts for men in Sydney and give him the best present based on his interests and passions in 2025. ...

6 Feel-Good Workshops to Boost Your Mood

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By Courtenay Turner

Feeling adventurous? Give glass blowing a go. Overwhelmed? Find your peace in pottery. With workshops for (almost) every mood, we’re here to helpFeeling adventurous? Give glass blowing a go. Overwhelmed? Find your peace in pottery. With workshops for (almost) every mood, we’re here to help you feel good. ...

Why Art Courses Are Good for Stress Relief

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By ClassBento Team

Relax, unwind and enjoy the stress-relieving benefits of art classes in Australia, where you can learn to paint, draw and much more!

Unwind with Your Workmates at Paint and Sip

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By ClassBento Team

Invest in the wellness of your workplace and get your colleagues bonding and connecting with each other at paint and sip classes in Australia.

7 Different Painting Courses to Try in 2025

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By ClassBento Team

Try these fun-filled painting courses to try your hand at different painting techniques and learn the difference between each from watercolour toTry these fun-filled painting courses to try your hand at different painting techniques and learn the difference between each from watercolour to oil paints. ...

Free Tips to Make Your Coffee Taste Better

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By Sam Bowden

If you want to learn how to make the perfect cup of coffee, check out coffee classes in Sydney. In the meantime, explore free coffee making tipsIf you want to learn how to make the perfect cup of coffee, check out coffee classes in Sydney. In the meantime, explore free coffee making tips. ...

Find Balance with Ikebana Flower Arranging

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By ClassBento Team

To the untrained eye, ikebana may seem like just a few flowers in a bowl. The translation of the name doesn’t shed much light, with ike meaningTo the untrained eye, ikebana may seem like just a few flowers in a bowl. The translation of the name doesn’t shed much light, with ike meaning “arrange” or “alive” and bana meaning “flower (1).” Ikebana is also sometimes referred to in relation to kado or “the way of the flower (2).” But this etymology doesn’t get us any closer to understanding what ikebana is, where it came from and why Ikebana classes in Sydney are so popular. So to paint the picture, let’s consider the following scene:   Image that the year is 1403 and you are in Kyoto, Japan. You are approaching a Zen Buddhist temple, which is perched on the edge of a tranquil lake. Everywhere you look, you see twisting pines and thick green foliage. Pink and white cherry blossoms seem to be falling delicately from the sky. This is a sacred place, and as such it is quiet and calm.   The square building in front of you is three stories tall, each level separated by an ornate, sweeping roof and wrap-around walkway. The siding is yellowish-gold color which sets the temple in stark contrast with the soft greenery surrounding it. As you walk closer, you notice there is a doorway on the side of the temple facing the water, and you enter with bated breath.   Inside, simplicity governs the space. Natural light filters through panes of thin-paper windows and the wood flooring is bright and open. The room is free of all furniture, except for an altar at the center, directly in front of you.   The mantle is arranged on three tiers: at the top is an ornate carving of the Buddha in black stone. The two lower levels house four different floral arrangements, each seeming to defy gravity with their sprawling stems and drooping flowers.   You are surprised by the array of colors: deep violet tulips are placed with bright red buds and wide pink water lilies. Interspersed with the flowers are precariously arranged leafless sticks and pine tree branches, which reach up and lean gracefully over to the side or curl around the outside of the arrangement as if holding everything in.   Each ikebana is its own world of balance, playfulness, and tranquility. You could look at each one for hours, focusing on each individual blade of grass, stem, stick, or flower petal, and never tire of its design. Incredibly, each ikebana also adds to the balance of the altar as a whole. The effect is a kind of visual relaxation that is at once satisfying and mystifying.   You realize, as you continue to appreciate the earthly beauty in front of you, that you are unconsciously practicing a fundamental Zen Buddhist tradition: the practice of mindfulness, of allowing the mind to exist in the present moment, and to bask in the calmness and serenity of the body (3). Put simply, ikebana is not just a few flowers in a bowl. It is an art form. A spiritual journey. An integral piece of Japanese tradition.   Even to the untrained eye, this is something sacred and special.   And now, it is open to individuals all over the world. Classes range from beginner’s design to advanced floral arrangement. ClassBento’s Setsuko Yanagisawa leads an exciting introductory course which covers the basics of ikebana like layering flowers and building up an arrangement from the base.  You will even learn the different types of Japanese flora and fauna in order to make a beautiful and authentic work of art.   As with any creative pursuit, ikebana also offers a range of mental health benefits as well. The most, obvious benefit, probably is the meditative element of Japanese flower arrangement.   The benefits of meditation are well-documented (4), and have been shown to have a positive impact on people dealing with anxiety, depression and even physical pain. Ikebana can invite you to meditate by focusing your awareness on the technical and creative task at hand. You’ll find yourself so immersed in the beauty of your work, that you may not even realize that you’re meditating until you leave the session relaxed and serene.   Another advantage of practicing ikebana: self-expression. According to the Government of Western Australia Mental Health Commission (6), self-expression is a key factor in improving mental health and wellbeing. Luckily, ikebana is fundamentally a practice of self-expression, in which each arrangement speaks to the emotions and visual aesthetic of the individual creator. Furthermore, it can lead to a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, and because there are more than 3,000 schools of ikebana today(5), you will never run out of ways to express your creativity.   If you’re interested in incorporating your newfound skills in Japanese flower arrangements into your home, here’s some more great news for you. Ikebana can greatly improve your everyday mood by changing the ambiance of your living space. At its core, ikebana is about simplicity, balance, and an appreciation for the imperfect beauty of the natural world. These elements create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, which will naturally lower stress and rejuvenate you.   In addition to tranquility, the emphasis on appreciation offers its own set of advantages for those looking to take care of their mental wellbeing. According to prominent voices in the field of gratitude like Hugh van Cuylenburg (7), research clearly indicates that showing gratitude, for something as small as a glass of water to something as meaningful as a loving family, can greatly increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction. Ikebana teaches this practice of gratitude powerfully by asking its students to appreciate and be thankful for everything from the beautiful glazed vase to the fragile stems to the striking blooms of color and fragrance.   Overall, ikebana is not simply the act of arranging flowers. It goes far beyond its vague etymology into the realm of art, spirituality, and mental wellbeing. By signing up for a beginner’s class in ikebana, you are embarking on a meaningful and beautiful cultural journey.   Enjoy.               References:   (1)  ftd.com (2)  livingnow.com.au (3)  zen-buddhism.net (4)  mindaustralia.org.au (5)  ikebanabyjunko.com (6)  mentalhealth.wa.gov.au (7)  smh.com.au ...

Can't Celebrate Together? Send Love with the Best Digital Gift Cards in Australia

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By ClassBento Team

Can’t be with someone you love on their special day? Discover a range of digital gift cards which you can present to your not-so-nearest and dCan’t be with someone you love on their special day? Discover a range of digital gift cards which you can present to your not-so-nearest and dearest. ...

Best Embroidery Kits for Beginners 2025

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By Sam Bowden

ClassBento has assembled the MVP's of embroidery kits for beginners for you to sink your teeth into at home, in 2020!

Best Unique Experience Gifts in Australia

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By Annie Symmonds

Whether you’re looking for DIY birthday gift ideas or Christmas presents for Mum, there’s no better time to find the best unique experience giftsWhether you’re looking for DIY birthday gift ideas or Christmas presents for Mum, there’s no better time to find the best unique experience gifts in Australia! ...

Gift Ideas for All the Men in Your Life

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By Grace Smith

Find experience gifts for him in Sydney and treat every man in your life to more of his passions and interests. Make memories and celebrate him.

Alternative Corporate Team Activities for Every Type of Work Event

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By Laine Fullerton

Looking for the best team building activities for the best corporate event you're planning? Check out these fun classes for team building ideas.

Why Clay and Sip Is the New Friday Night Drinks

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By ClassBento Team

Discover why pottery classes in Australia are becoming one of the most popular ways to relax and unwind after work!

9 Brain Stimulating Gift Vouchers for Kids

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By ClassBento Team

From jewellery making and painting workshops to kids cooking classes, discover our top 9 gift vouchers for kids that will keep them entertained thisFrom jewellery making and painting workshops to kids cooking classes, discover our top 9 gift vouchers for kids that will keep them entertained this year. ...

Top Craft Ideas to Try in 2025

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By ClassBento Team

Getting crafty is fun and good for us! Reap all the benefits of getting hands-on and creative at a craft workshop. Start with these craft ideas forGetting crafty is fun and good for us! Reap all the benefits of getting hands-on and creative at a craft workshop. Start with these craft ideas for inspiration! ...

9 Photography Styles to Master in 2025

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By Grace Smith

Elevate your photo skills in 2025 with these 9 photography styles! You can learn about different photography styles at photography courses in MeElevate your photo skills in 2025 with these 9 photography styles! You can learn about different photography styles at photography courses in Melbourne. ...

You'll Love Learning to Draw at These Easy Art Classes

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By ClassBento Team

Rediscover the joy of drawing or experience it for the first time at art classes in Australia. See your vision come to life as your art skills iRediscover the joy of drawing or experience it for the first time at art classes in Australia. See your vision come to life as your art skills improve. ...

4 Mother-Daughter Moments That Will Warm Your Heart

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By Courtenay Turner

From Japanese ceramics to mosaic-making, these creative experiences will warm her heart!

Team Building Activities

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By Julia Carr-Catzel

Learn how team building activities can boost morale in the workplace and why it's so important. Explore our best corporate activity ideas with teamLearn how team building activities can boost morale in the workplace and why it's so important. Explore our best corporate activity ideas with team workshops. ...