The 10 Best Colorado Gifts for Readers

We all have that friend who prefers pageturners to people, the one who’s read 52 books this year and spends more time on Goodreads than Facebook. Since wrapping up another hardback for the holiday season may be hit or miss, we’ve rounded up 10 local gifts, from sheepskin slides to bookish apparel, that will instantly elevate your erudite friend or family member’s next reading sesh.

Tattered Cover OpenBook Sleeve

Independent bookstores like Tattered Cover could especially use some love this season. Support the Denver staple and help your book bestie protect their coveted collection with the vinyl OpenBook Sleeve, designed by the Tattered Cover team and crafted by Mile High WorkShop. The 8.75-by-12 inch closeable case ($26) protects paperbacks, magazines, e-readers, and more from leaky water bottles and surprise afternoon showers. Available online

Be a Good Person Emerald Sweat Set

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 this emerald terry cloth crewneck ($60) and sweatpants ($55) duo. Available online

Void & Form Matisse (3D) Mug

Is it even possible to crack open a new book without a cozy beverage by your side? We think not, which is why bibliophiles can never have too many mugs. Natalie Legg is the ceramist behind Void & Form, a one-woman studio churning out some of Denver’s coziest creations. Her earthy pieces are inspired by natural landscapes, with quirky shapes and designs that are easy on the eyes and feel good in the hand. The Matisse (3D) mug ($48) has a touch of texture and fits perfectly on any reader’s side table as a functional piece of home decor. 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 are perfect for the homebodies on your holiday shopping list. Go with classic, natural leather for the traditionalist, or opt for the deluxe slides ($120), which feature a two-tone suede toe cap design that adds both flair and durability. Available online or at Sundance’s shop, 1111 Riverpark Road, Buena Vista

Old Pine Candle Club Membership

Mood lighting is a must before diving into Lisa Jewell’s latest mystery or Britney Spears’ juicy memoir, 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 Piney Wine & Spirits, 26289 CO-74, Evergreen

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 on it. 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, have been charming Coloradans with their high-quality, global tea blends for 18 years. While you can find practically any flavor at one of their five 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

Phoenix Fiber Mill Sunshine Peak Socks

Phoenix Fiber Mill has been crafting cozy wool socks at their southern Colorado alpaca ranch for over 20 years, naming many of their feet warmers after Colorado fourteeners. With various weights, heights, and fibers to choose from, you can’t go wrong with gifting any pair, but the Sunshine Peak socks ($18) are perfect for bookworms. Made of angora wool, these socks are thick enough for winter wearing but also moisture wicking, making them year-round accessories. Available online

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

Climb Mountains Read Books Sweatshirt

If your favorite reader moonlights as a mountaineer, this unisex crewneck sweatshirt ($33) will surely become a staple in their wardrobe. Although Summit and Sea studio is based in Alaska, it’s outdoorsy designs will resonate with Coloradans. This sweatshirt features a craggy mountain peak, a book with wildflowers growing from its pages, and some simple advice: Climb mountains, read books. Available online