Here's a selection of 13 paid activities you can do from home during the coronavirus lockdown. They all cost a little money, but could bring you or loved ones a lot of happiness!
Take part in an online wine tasting
Want to be able to tell your Syrah from your Shiraz or your Sauvignon Blanc from your Riesling? Book onto a virtual wine tasting and discover more about the best locations and producers of wine from all over the world. Clifton Wine School offer both stand-alone evening events or a 4-week course.
Send flowers to a friend
Let someone know you are thinking about them and send flowers to a friend. There are loads of options and apps to do this online. Try Bloom and Wild: their flowers come in a beautiful presentation box through the letterbox, which means your friend will be able to enjoy arranging them.
Send a care package to family
Receiving something in the post from a loved one when you can’t see them has the ability to make you feel closer. A care package is a lovely way to let them know they are in your thoughts. There are some fantastic options available ranging from bespoke book boxes to beauty. Our pick for the win would be food, specifically pasta.
Buy a gift card or voucher
Everyone is missing their favourite eateries right now. The wait should make it all the better for when we can eventually return. Some of these places will be struggling a lot due to a lack of income at the moment. Support your favourites by purchasing a gift card or voucher that can be used when they re-open.
Bid in an online auction
Going, going, gone! We may not be able to visit the auction rooms right now, but that doesn’t mean the excitement of a bidding war is lost. Check out the catalogues online, decide what your target is and the price you are willing to pay, and follow along online to see if you win the item.
Buy and sell second-hand records and CD’s
You may have had a chance to have a bit of a clear-out during lockdown. If so, did you uncover any records or CDs that you would be happy to part with? List them on Discogs: they may be exactly what someone is looking for. You can also have a browse to see if anything catches your eye.
Enhance your book collection by buying second-hand books
With a quiet summer ahead, perhaps now is a great time to bolster your book collection with some new additions. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to spend lots on new books, however. There are some fantastic websites such as viaLibri, where you can explore old, rare and out-of-print books.
Watch all the Marvel & Disney films
Sometimes a movie marathon is just called for. Disney+ are currently offering a 7-day free trial, but it may be a little bit of a stretch to think you could get through all the Marvel and Disney films within that time. Alternatively, for £5.99 a month you can stream them at your leisure.
Purchase a 3 month cocktail kit subscription
Fancy yourself as a bit of a mixologist? Refine your cocktail-making skills during lockdown with a 3-month cocktail kit subscription. This is perfect if you want to try some different cocktails before committing to buying all of the ingredients.
Make your own soap
From really beginner kits to something more specialist and artisan, there are lots of options available online if you fancy giving soap-making a go. These could also make really lovely gifts for family and friends.
Grow ‘funky’ vegetables at home
From ‘Wacky Tomatoes’ to ‘Psychedelic Salad’, Plant Theatre offers a range of fun, grow-your-own vegetable kits that kids and adults alike will enjoy. A great introduction to garden-to-table growing.
Build a model bird (free options as well)
Building a model bird has never been easier with these brilliant downloadable templates from Johan Scherft. Choose from an impressive Goldfinch or a crowd-pleasing Robin. Download, print and begin crafting.
Train your dog
No doubt your dog will be thinking it is the best time of their life at the moment with constant attention and all the family fighting for the daily dog walk. Perhaps you’ve previously tried training but had no luck? Now may be a good time to try again, as when lockdown is lifted your dog will need to get used to not seeing you as much. Discipline will help with this.
