The 12 Best Colorado-Inspired Stocking Stuffers

Sure, you could slip a few oranges, a pair of cotton tube socks, and a drugstore candy bar or two into your loved ones’ stockings (again) this year. But since you’re hanging them with care, you might as well fill those stockings with care, too. At a loss as to how to do that? We have you covered with 12 great local gift ideas that are sure to please palates, induce relaxation, toast the new year—and fit inside an oversize sock.

Below, our favorite stocking stuffers of 2024.

Batu Suci Diffuser Bracelet

The holiday season can bring all the warm and fuzzies, but it can also deliver a few ho, ho, holy $%@! moments. When you learn your mother-in-law “insists” on making Thanksgiving dinner or when someone grabbed the last Chicken Dance Elmo right in front of you, take a deep breath and be glad you bought yourself—and your bestie and sister—one of Batu Suci’s handmade diffuser bracelets ($24). From the creative mind of owner Lindsay Johnson, these stone-, wood- and/or lava bead-laden strings are designed to accommodate the company’s essential oils and help you relax, even when Santa forgot to buy batteries (again). Available online and at various retailers

Bobo’s Oatmeal Bites

The Bobo’s oat bars story starts with love. On a rainy day in 2003, a mom and her daughter, Bobo, were bonding in the kitchen. They pulled out a few (Colorado) pantry staples—whole-grain oats, cane sugar, and brown rice syrup—mixed in some vegan buttery spread, popped them in the oven, and voilà! One of our favorite non-GMO, plant-based, gluten-free snacks was born. Today, the full-size bars from this Loveland-based brand come in a variety of flavors, from dark chocolate almond with sea salt to cranberry orange ($33 for a pack of 12), but we think the tasty array of Oatmeal Bites are perfectly sized for stockings. Grab a box of lemon poppyseed or holiday-inspired peppermint brownie ($30 for a box of 30) and pop a few individually wrapped treats in each stocking to share the love. Available online and at various retailers

Roll Recovery R1 Percussion

As if holiday shopping weren’t stressful enough, you have to lug everything you’ve purchased home or lift box after box off your front porch. It’s exhausting—and can lead to sore muscles. Enter “the best massage gun,” per Runner’s World. It’s just what your giftee kneads, er, needs. The R1 Percussion ($129) from Boulder’s Roll Recovery offers four different settings and comes with four attachment head options, making it a great self-massage tool whether you’re recovering from the holiday festivities or your latest workout. Its petite proportions make it an easy recovery tool to travel with—and the perfect size to slip into a stocking. Best of all, it hits just 40 decibels when pumping at full power, so you can still hear those silver bells tinkling. Available online and at various retailers

Adventurist Soap Co. Bar Soaps

Daina Daniels’ decision to link her soap and body product business to outdoor pursuits was only natural. After all, the Colorado-born founder of Adventurist Soap Co. says she has “always been drawn to the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains. And there’s no better way to experience their grandeur than by tackling one of the state’s many fourteeners….” Turns out, summit-bagging celebrations are even better when followed up with a shower. That’s where Daniels’ nourishing, handmade soaps come in. Our favorites from this Morrison-based, Black-woman-owned business include the earthy, spicy scent of Peak Bagger and the slightly sweet, milk-oatmeal-honey aroma of Backcountry (both $10). Available online and at various retailers

Tincup Adventure Pack

The distillers at Tincup know that whiskey goes down better with a side of adventure. Glass bottles, however? Not so much. That’s why they introduced the Adventure Pack ($30) in fall 2023. The bottle houses the Denver spirit maker’s Original Mountain Whiskey in a double-walled, stainless-steel canteen made for trailside imbibing (read: it won’t break). Gift it to your favorite hiking, climbing, or camping pal, and he might be generous enough to share the contents of the 375-milliliter container on your next outing. Just remember that someone has to drive home. Available online and in various retailers

Piece, Love & Chocolate Truffles

Add a smidge of something sweet to your loved one’s stocking with some chocolatey goodness from Piece, Love & Chocolate. The Boulder confectioner sells a host of single sweets in its Pearl Street storefront, plus a selection of samplers online, including the 11-Piece Truffle Heart Box (starting at $38). The variety pack features the shop’s 11 most popular flavors, including cookies and cream, basil hand-cut ganache, and Left Hand Milk Stout. 805 Pearl St., Boulder

Bee-Och Organics Lip Balms

Cold temps and whipping winds are an unavoidable part of Colorado winters, but cracked, chapped lips don’t have to be—at least for your lucky gift recipient—thanks to Fort Lupton–based Bee-Och Organics. Stuff a tube or two of the deeply hydrating organic lip balm ($6) into their stocking for days when moisture and protection are needed (aka, every day). Or add a tinted lip balm ($9) if your recipient likes a subtle touch of color. Available online

Autonomy Foods Smart Latte

Sometimes you just can’t get to your local coffee shop—and other times you might just want something that delivers a few more health benefits than that venti caramel macchiato. Enter Autonomy Foods Smart Latte and Smart Matcha Latte, both of which pack a superfood punch, can be made at home or on the go, and fit perfectly into a stocking. Born in Boulder earlier this year, the company’s adaptogenic and health-boosting ingredients—see mushroom and herbal extracts as well as tree nuts, among other things—are packaged into 0.81-ounce packets ($36 for a box of six single servings that also includes necessary tools) that you empty into your coffee mug with hot water and then use the included micro frother to whip up. It’s not a PSL, but Autonomy says its lattes provide immune support, all-day focus, elevated moods, and gut health. Available online 

Moore Collection Tea Towels

Everyone loves a good tea towel. Plus, they’re so much more eco-friendly than using your 38th paper towel of the day. With that in mind, stuff all your favorite little elves’ stockings with one of Denver-based Moore Collection’s cute Colorado-forward hand-drying, spill-cleaning serviettes ($14). We’re partial to the Ski Days and Camp Gear iterations but the Winter Time cloth fits the season. Available online and at various retailers 

Kristen Ross Prints

Boulder-based landscape artist Kristen Ross’ acrylic landscape paintings capture the beauty of Colorado, from its gnarled Krummholz trees to its vibrant wildflowers to its shimmering alpine lakes. Her giclée prints, available in perfect-for-stocking-stuffing sizes, like a five-by-seven-inch of Rocky Mountain National Park’s Emerald Lake, are also reasonably priced enough (starting at $25) for being hung by the chimney with care. Even better: Ross donates a portion of all proceeds to the National Park Foundation, so (you and) your giftee can feel even better about the season. Available online and at various retailers 

HeadPeace Headbands

Help your pal keep their hair out of their face and sweat off their brow while looking fresh with headwear from woman-owned, Monument-based HeadPeace. You have plenty of choices: headbands (starting at $15), neck gaiters ($24), hats ($28), and even options for kiddos ($10). But the best part is that each headband is made in Nepal by Purnaa, a fair-trade, ethical manufacturing company that employs marginalized individuals and survivors of exploitation. Available online

Winnie Lou Pet Treats

We know you hung stockings for Fido and Mittens, too. Fill them with something worthy of your four-legged family member, like the treats made by Winnie Lou, a Boulder brand that’s committed to taking the mystery out of pet food ingredients. The company’s Bison Heart Bits for cats ($9 for a one-ounce bag) and Tidbits for dogs ($17 for a two-ounce bag) are made with a single ingredient: bison hearts from grass-fed Colorado bison. Available online