Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be quite a challenge. Finding the perfect gift during a pandemic presents even more of an obstacle. This year, instead of running from shop to shop, stay safe at your 1212 Walnut apartment and instead brainstorm some ways to give the gift of time to your loved ones. While many of the events gift-givers usually think of—theater, sports games, movies—aren’t an option this year, there are other, smaller-scale excursions that are still in play. Cooking classes are always a great way to enjoy time with a loved one and, with City Kitchen at Reading Terminal Market, you can get all the fun of a traditional cooking class but with the peace of mind that you’re doing so safely.

City Kitchen is one of Philly’s most popular cooking schools. The space typically hosts public cooking classes at the market, four blocks from your 1213 Walnut apartment, which in recent months have been adapted for virtual settings. If you think an online cooking class doesn’t sound like a fun date night with your special someone or a great way to bond with a parent, think again!

In advance of its online classes, City Kitchen sends supplies and ingredients to all participants’ homes, so they can cook right along with the experts. No experience is necessary, so you can have fun and get creative with your loved ones right from the comfort of your 1213 Walnut apartment. Recent classes have included Cajun holiday favorites, gluten-free comfort food, make-ahead holiday breakfast and DIY cheeseboards. While many of the organization’s classes have gone virtual, it is still hosting limited on-site courses for small groups. The culinary team at City Kitchen is also up for handcrafted private events—so if you want to gather all of your loved ones via Zoom and have the chefs whip up a personalized cooking class, you can really earn some gift-giving points this holiday!

Getting out and about to celebrate the holidays and your loved ones will be a little harder this year, but with some creativity and by taking advantage of all that Philly has to offer, this can still be an exciting and memorable holiday season.

City Kitchen at Reading Terminal Market

1136 Arch St.

Philadelphia, PA 19107

267-534-4707