The 10 Best Colorado Gifts for Readers

We all have that friend who prefers pageturners to people and spends more time on Goodreads than Facebook. Since they surely already have a bedside table stacked with books, we’ve rounded up 10 local gifts that will leave your literary pals feeling extra loved—without adding to their TBR.

From cozy loungewear sets to a private bookstore experience, here’s what we’re buying our bookish loved ones this year.

Date Night at Petals & Pages

If your lit lover is the kind that fantasizes about hiding in the bookstore bathroom so they can have the place all to themselves after hours, consider gifting them this one-of-a-kind experience at Petals & Pages to save them from committing a B and E. The Santa Fe Arts District bookstore’s date night experience ($110) gives you and your boo private use of the shop for 90 minutes—just enough time to spend the $30 gift card that’s included and complete the scavenger hunt while sipping on an alcoholic (or zero-proof) beverage. Customize your evening by adding bouquet making, terrarium building, or a paint-and-sip for $50. Reserve online

“I Read Past My Bedtime” Sweatshirt

This one is for all the bookworms with bags under their eyes. When every chapter seems to end on a cliffhanger, sometimes you have no choice but to sacrifice sleep for a good story. But the next day, when you’re paying for all that page turning, throw on this sweatshirt from Colorado Springs–based Fireheart Embroidery. The Etsy shop sells all sorts of clothing with minimalist embroidered designs on them, but the “I Read Past My Bedtime” sweatshirt should clear up any confusion about why you can’t keep your eyes open. Available online

Be a Good Person Signature Hoodie and Joggers

Since its founding in 2015, Be a Good Person (BAGP) has been on a simple mission to share the power of positivity. And the RiNo-based company has attracted big-name collaborators—including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Lululemon, and even the Denver Broncos—along the way. While your reader will love relaxing in any one of BAGP’s sweat sets, we have a soft spot (get it?) for the colorful signature hoodie ($85) and signature black joggers ($66) duo. Available online

Void & Form Shino Divide Mug

The only thing that might rival your bibliophile’s collection of books is their collection of mugs, because you can’t crack open a new read without a warm drink, right? Natalie Legg is the ceramist behind Void & Form, a one-woman studio churning out some of Denver’s dreamiest creations. Her earthy pieces are inspired by natural landscapes, with timeless designs that are easy on the eyes and feel good in the hand. The Shino Divide mug ($42) sports a milky white glossy glaze over a speckled clay and fits perfectly on any reader’s side table. Available online

Sundance Sheepskin & Leather Slide Slippers

The Anderson family has been making plush products out of their Guffey headquarters for more than 50 years, sourcing their extra-thick sheepskins from ranches around the American West. Their lineup of leather-soled slippers, slides, and moccasins is perfect for the homebodies on your holiday shopping list. Go with classic, natural leather ($109) for the traditionalist, or opt for the deluxe slides ($134), which feature a two-tone suede toe cap design that adds both flair and durability. Available online or at Sundance’s shop, 1111 Riverpark Rd., Buena Vista

Old Pine Candle Club Membership

Mood lighting is a must before diving into Lisa Jewell’s latest mystery or the newest installment of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series, so treat your favorite lit lover to the gift of a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly scented candle ($26 per month) from Evergreen-based Old Pine Candle Co. Each soy candle is selected to match the season and is phthalate- and paraben-free with a 45-hour burn time. Heads up for eager gift givers: Candles ship within days of purchase, so make holiday plans accordingly. Available online and at various retailers

North Drinkware Maroon Bells Blanket

Name a better duo than blankets and books. We’ll wait. This massive wool blanket ($325) from North Drinkware is 64 by 80 inches long, meaning absolutely no piggies will be poking out. But what makes this a Colorado couch staple is the topographical map of the Maroon Bells. A portion of proceeds from each blanket goes to the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies via 1% for the Planet. Available online

Ku Cha House of Tea Taste of the Rockies Gift Box

Rong Pan and and her husband Qin Liu, the owners of Boulder-based Ku Cha House of Tea, have been charming Coloradans with their high-quality, global tea blends for 19 years. While you can find practically any flavor at one of their four locations, we’re partial to the Taste of the Rockies ($45): a collection of six teas inspired by the couple’s adopted home. Featuring a mix of herbal, black, chai, and yerba mate—plus 5.5 ounces of Copoco’s Honey and a tea steeping ball—this collection is like a warm hug from the Centennial State. Available online and at Ku Cha House of Tea stores

Less is More Mountain Hanging Planter

A reading corner isn’t complete without a plant friend to share in the page turning. So help your reader spruce up their nook with a handmade hanging planter (starting at $40) from Michelle Silverstein and Mike Blume, the duo behind the Denver ceramic studio Less is More. Choose between four glaze colors to compliment the modern mountain design, and pair with your favorite cascading plant for a living gift. Available online

Shelf Love Tote Bag

For some, self-love means manicures and massages; for bookworms, it means an uninterrupted afternoon spent with a new release. Although you can’t put the gift of free time under the tree, you can wrap up this colorful, clever tote bag ($20) with the phrase “Shelf Love” emblazoned on it from Fort Collins–based online shop the Crowded Bookshelf. So even if your bookish bestie is stuck in the school pickup line or riding the train home from work, they can slip their favorite sci-fi novel out from inside and sneak in a few pages. Available online