Birthday Experiences For Friends

Birthday experiences for friends are all about creating memories together—laughter in the kitchen, new skills discovered, and flavors shared. Whether you’re looking to surprise your favorite foodie or plan a fun group activity, these experiences offer a fresh way to celebrate. Gather your crew and turn an ordinary birthday into something special with hands-on moments everyone will enjoy.

  • From-Scratch Dim Sum
    $89
    (51)

    Great...Such a fun class and Chef Dom was a fantastic teacher and so great to learn from!

    Pros: enjoyable, class quality, fantastic teacher

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  • Private Event
    $900

    Cooking Class Description: For more information on Private Events, or to schedule your own, please contact your local Sur La Table store, or visit our Private Events page.


    What To Expect: In our classes you'll work together with other students (in groups...


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  • Private Event
    $2760

    Cooking Class Description: For more information on Private Events, or to schedule your own, please contact your local Sur La Table store, or visit our Private Events page.


    What To Expect: In our classes you'll work together with other students (in groups...


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  • Private Event
    $2500

    Cooking Class Description: For more information on Private Events, or to schedule your own, please contact your local Sur La Table store, or visit our Private Events page.


    What To Expect: In our classes you'll work together with other students (in groups...


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  • Festive Bread Workshop
    $89
    (101)

    So maybe not the best first experience with a cooking class here....Great class...Great class, great tips, great teacher - babka and cranberry bread were very tasty.

    Pros: educational, informative, fun class

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  • Irresistible Croissants
    $99
    (99)

    Gave my husband lessons as part of his sixtieth birthday celebration we had a great time our instructor...already planning his first batch this weekend of which I will be the lucky recipient, thank you for a great...What a great class! Chef Eric was...

    Pros: knowledgeable instructor, discount offer, personable instructor

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  • Date Night: Classic Steak Frites
    $99
    (45)

    Love making this again and again after class! Great lesson!...Great event...Wonderful evening and great instruction.

    Pros: good sauce, pride in results, great time

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  • Global Holiday Feast
    $99
    (26)

    Cooking Class Description: Experience holiday traditions from around the world and savor the foods that make these celebrations so special. You’ll learn to create a classic Christmas main course of prime rib, a showstopping centerpiece dish for families...

    Pros: enthusiastic staff, enjoyable experience, excellent food

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  • Online Prep Now, Eat Later: Beef Wellington (Eastern Time)
    $39

    We had a great time taking this class and learned so much!...Class was great! Learned a lot of helpful hints....Vanessa was a great instructor....Great experience...Great Class

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  • Online 2-Day Croissant Workshop (Eastern Time)
    $60

    Great class!...The chef gives great instruction and has a sense of humor....Great insights. Easy to follow instruction for a complicated dish....Great set up, and highly recommend if you are looking for something fun to do with family or friends.

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  • Online Date Night: Toast the New Year (Eastern Time)
    $39

    Melissa was great...Great way to spend an evening with hubby on New Year's Eve!

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  • Online Celebration of Spices (Eastern Time)
    $39

    Cooking Class Description: This menu features spiced chicken tossed with a sweet pomegranate sauce that we've paired with kabocha squash soup for extra winter flavors. We'll end the meal with a delicious, spiced apple cake for dessert.



    • To get fully prepared...

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  • Date Night: New Year’s Eve
    $99

    Cooking Class Description: Ring in the new year with a celebratory spread! Dress up steak with a brandy pan sauce and flambé it to perfection. Embellish fluffy mashed potatoes with truffle oil and prepare a fresh salad with Champagne Vinaigrette. End...

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Birthday Experiences For Friends

When it comes to celebrating a friend’s birthday, experiences often make the most memorable gifts. Instead of the usual presents, more people are choosing to share time together—learning something new, trying a hands-on activity, or exploring a fresh adventure. This approach is especially meaningful for groups of friends who want to mark the occasion with something special and out of the ordinary. Whether you’re planning for a close-knit gathering or a larger group, experience-based birthday gifts offer a chance to create lasting stories and inside jokes that will be talked about long after the candles are blown out. For those considering what to choose, think about your friend’s interests and your group’s vibe: some friends love a burst of adrenaline, while others gravitate toward creative pursuits or relaxing escapes. December is a wonderful time to embrace cozy indoor activities—like cooking or baking classes—where everyone can warm up together, share laughs, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. These experiences are not only fun, but also inclusive, making them an ideal choice for mixed groups or friends with varying skill levels.

Experience gifts are also a thoughtful option for friends who seem to have everything or who appreciate making memories over collecting things. Workshops and classes—such as painting, pottery, or mixology—invite everyone to try something new and take home a handmade memento. For the food lovers in your circle, tasting tours or chef-led cooking sessions turn a regular birthday into a celebration of flavor and camaraderie. If your group leans toward adventure, consider activities like indoor skydiving or a scenic weekend getaway to break out of the routine and bond over shared thrills. Even a simple picnic, upgraded with a creative twist or a surprise element, can feel extraordinary when it’s thoughtfully planned. As you browse options, consider the season—winter months are perfect for gathering around a table, learning a new recipe, and savoring a meal together. And if you’re looking for more inspiration or want to see a curated collection of ideas, our Creative Birthday Experience Gifts page features a range of experiences designed to delight every kind of friend and make birthdays truly unforgettable.

Choosing an experience for a friend’s birthday is a chance to match the activity to their personality and your shared history. Some friends will cherish the chance to unwind at a wine tasting or brunch cruise, while others might be thrilled by the challenge of a group escape room or a lively dance class. For the friend who loves to host, a culinary experience can double as a way to pick up new skills and recipes to share at future gatherings. And if you’re aiming to surprise, organizing a group outing to a live event or planning a themed creative project can turn the day into something truly unique. No matter what you select, the real gift is the time spent together—celebrating friendship, laughter, and another year of making memories.

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