🗓 Dates: 5 classes from July 8 to August 5

🕰️ Times: Mondays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM

🗺 Location: Merlin’s Place, 248 McKibbin St. 1G

💰 Tuition: ~~$500-800~~ $425 (one-time beta rate)

📋 Application: Apply here

👥 Class size: limited to 12 students

About

In this class, you’ll learn how to make a gift that speaks to a loved one’s heart. Across 5 weeks, you’ll play, craft, imagine, and master a set of skills for creating whimsical, heartfelt gifts.

To bridge theory & practice, you’ll craft a gift for a loved one. Whether it’s your anniversary, your mom’s birthday, a friend’s wedding, or some other special occasion, you’ll dream up a gift that’s heartfelt, hands-on, and made just for them. Then, we’ll help you bring your gift to life.

Ultimately, you’ll leave class with a one-of-a-kind gift you dreamed up, a set of tools for continuing to create exquisite gifts, a bonus gift you’ll make along the way, and lots of moments looking like this:

What you’ll get out of class

An understanding of how to make gifts that create warm fuzzies & happy tears
A set of tools for continuing to make heartfelt, playful gifts in the future
A one-of-a-kind gift for your loved one, made 100% by you
A bonus gift you’ll make for another loved one
A few small, whimsical gifts from me (the teacher) to you
A whole lot of fun (from games & surprises each class)
A few budding friendships (from your shared journey)

The gift you create will be about this shape and size.

Class Content

Week 1 (July 8)	Let’s Play We’ll jump right into some fun. You’ll enjoy a hands-on adventure and leave with a personalized gift ready to give to a loved one (the first of two gifts you’ll make throughout class).
Week 2 (July 15)	Sourcing from the Heart You’ll pick a loved one to make a gift for, throughout the rest of the course. We’ll teach you how to uncover a wealth of inspiration and how to see your loved one with new eyes.
Week 3 (July 22)	Pure Imagination Building off of last class, you’ll sketch out a concept for a one-of-a-kind gift. It’ll be a heartfelt, playful tabletop adventure that indulges, dazzles, & delights your loved one.
Week 4 (July 29)	Bring Your Gift to Life You’ll enter class with a concept that you’re ready to bring to life. In class, you’ll use your hands to craft your gift. We’ll provide materials, resources, and support.
Week 5 (Aug 5)	Show and Tell We’ll spend most of class putting the finishing touches on our gifts. In the last portion of class, we’ll share sneak peaks into our creations with each other.

About the teacher

Hi! My name is Josh. I’m an award-winning gift & game designer.

I founded Odes Unboxed in 2022 and have designed custom gifts for hundreds of folks, including celebs (like Neil Patrick Harris).

My work has also been featured on Room Escape Artist, Puzzling Company, and Escape the Roomers.

Outside of making gifts, I’m happiest when I’m around tennis, pickleball, singing, board games, or dark chocolate.

The gift-making journey

Here’s how past gifters have described what it’s like to make a gift.

Tuition

In the future, I expect tuition to be $500-800. Since this is the first time I’m offering this class, I’m offering a beta rate of $425. The tuition includes materials used each week as well as $50 toward materials used in your final gift.

If you can’t afford the $425 rate, you can indicate this on your application. There will be 2 scholarship spots available at a lower rate.

Class Expectations

Roll up your sleeves. Each session will be active and hands-on. This course is for you if you’re looking to create (rather than consume)!
Play as a team. A dozen wonderful human beings will make up this class. We’ll play, collaborate, and treat each other with care.
Arrive early. Each session is full of whimsical & intentional activities. So that we have time for them all, plan your commute so that you show up 5-10 minutes early.
Attend every class. If you miss a class, you’ll miss out. We ask that you proactively get in touch with us and dedicate time outside of class to ensure your gift doesn’t fall behind.

Applications

Applications are available here. They’ll be open from April 1 until the course fills up. They’ll be reviewed on a rolling basis, and I’ll aim to answer each application within 1-2 weeks of its submission. There are only 12 spots, so, the sooner you apply, the more likely you’ll get a spot.

Let’s make a gift!

(A few gifts I’ve made over the years. Since class is just 5 sessions, your gift won’t be this elaborate.)

Get in touch

If you have questions, you can reach me at josh@odesunboxed.com.

Similarly, if you’re interested in this class but unable to attend the summer session, drop me a line, and I’ll make sure you’re the first to learn about future offerings.

The Gift of a Lifetime