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No need to break the bank this holiday season, because a little goes a long way with these gifts. Whether it’s your son’s second-grade teacher or your friendly neighbor, not everyone on your list needs a big-ticket item.
So, we’ve rounded up 10 locally made gifts, from the perfect hot cocoa mix to eco-friendly straws that will spread a little cheer—without straining your wallet. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Phoenix Fiber Mills Sunshine Peak Socks
Help your Texas transplant beat the Colorado cold with a pair of angora wool socks from Phoenix Fiber Mill, a southeastern Colorado family that’s been spinning socks out of natural fibers since December 2012. The Sunshine Peak ($18) pattern comes in five color combinations, all of which boast moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties (so your secret Santa won’t have stinky toes). Available online and at various retailers
Bibamba Hot Chocolate Mix
Hot cocoa is a cold-weather staple, but have you ever looked at the ingredients in that box of Swiss Miss? Trust us when we say your giftee deserves an upgrade. With the premium mix ($20 for eight servings) from Bibamba, a five-year-old chocolate company with ties to both Denver and Cameroon, your recipient gets a heavenly cup containing minimal ingredients: cacao beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, and Madagascar vanilla beans, plus the milk (or milk alternative) this luxurious mix is stirred into. Best of all, they’ll be sipping with a clean conscience: Husband-and-wife founders Patrick and Mara Tcheunou are just as passionate about using sustainable and ethical farming practices as they are about producing high-quality chocolate indulgences. Available online and at various retailers
Backpacker’s Pantry Camp Meals
For the hiking pal who’s tired of trailside PB&Js and squashed granola bars, wrap up one of the flavorful, freeze-dried meals from Boulder’s own Backpacker’s Pantry. Choose from more than 50 breakfasts, dinners, and desserts, including the bestselling, moderately spicy pad Thai—available with ($13) and without chicken ($10)—and the Hatch green chile mac and cheese ($8), a spicy Southwestern comfort meal. Available online and at various retailers
Sundance Sheepskin Coozies
Keep the rum and coke in your Solo cup cold but your hands warm with these sheepskin coozies (starting at $15) from Guffey-based Sundance. Made from the softest American sheepskin, these snug drink jackets help keep your ice intact without freezing your fingers. Each one is handmade and hugs your desired drink vessel—Solo cup, can, water bottle or wine bottle—like a winter coat. Available online and in-store at Sundance & Friends (1111 River Park Road, Buena Vista)
Hummingbird Glass Straws
Plastic straws are so 2010. Slip something more sustainable in your sister’s stocking this year with the help of Boulder-based Hummingbird Glass Straws. These handcrafted, reusable glass straws come in every color of the rainbow. Plus, they’re shatter resistant and dishwasher safe. Choose from a variety of lengths, quantities, and even diameters (they make extra wide straws for boba drinkers). We’ll be gifting the Bermuda Tide four pack ($20), which comes with four tropical-colored bent straws. Available online
Colorado Aromatics Bar Soaps
You don’t have to splurge on a massage at the Broadmoor to make someone feel pampered. These handcrafted soaps from Longmont’s Colorado Aromatics turn every shower into a spa-level experience. Made with herbs grown on the brand’s own farm, the organic bar soaps ($8) come in a variety of Centennial State–inspired scents, including Colorado Forest (pine, juniper, and cedar) and Winter Morning (peppermint, lavender, and tea tree). Available online and at various retailers
Cocktail Caravan Fresh-Pressed Cocktail Mixers
Special holiday beverages taste better when they’re made with locally sourced ingredients. At least, that’s the idea behind Cocktail Caravan’s fresh-pressed mixers ($18) made in Boulder. There are a number of seasonal releases, like the Q Sour, which blends orange, rosemary, and maple, and Wellspring, a holiday-inspired mix of pear, ginger, and cardamom. The cranberry-forward Santa’s Little Helper is sure to put everyone in a festive spirit, even if you just add sparkling water for a no-hassle mocktail. Available online and for pick-up at 2805 Wilderness Place, Suite 700, Boulder
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
Gym membership? Peloton? Shake Weights? No, no, and definitely no. There’s a better way to help your special someone get buff this holiday season—literally. Give them a Colorado-inspired CoolNet UV neck cover ($25) from accessory brand Buff. Lightweight and super stretchy, these handy neck gaiters are comfortable to wear when UPF 50 protection is in order, like on sunny-day snowshoe adventures. Come summer, the cover’s evaporative cooling properties are great for hot paddleboarding sessions. Available online and at various retailers
High Plains Spice Company Seasonings
If your mom’s pork chops are a little on the bland side, slipping a few seasonings from Sterling-based High Plains Spice Company in her stocking is really a gift for everyone. , Shop blends, from smoky barbecue rubs to loaded baked potato dips, for every at-home chef and aspiring pitmaster. Choose your spice commitment: a few ounces for sampling ($3–$9), or a whole pound for full-time flavor enthusiasts ($15–$24). If you can’t decide, we suggest the Pig Tickle Seasoning, the company’s bestselling blend that makes an excellent rub for slow cooking. Available online and in-store (312 Main St., Sterling)
Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale
Have a buddy with a case of the bah-humbugs? Hand them a bottle of Christmas Ale (price varies by retailer), what Breckenridge Brewery describes as its malty, full-bodied winter warmer. You can choose how many bottles to gift based on the severity of their Scrooge-like behavior. (A full-blown Grinch could benefit from the new 15-pack.) The full-flavor—and with a 7.1 percent ABV, full-strength—sipper balances caramel and chocolate notes from the malt with Chinook and Mt. Hood hops to create a bevvy sure to spread some holiday cheers, er, cheer. Available online and at various retailers
