Gift Guide 2019: 8 Gorgeous Home Goods to Give (or Keep for Yourself)

Hand-painted Ornaments

Local artist Ashley Joon’s feminine floral murals have been popping up all over the Front Range this year (at Denver’s Ramble Hotel, Hazel art bar, women’s co-working space Charley Co., and at Infinite Monkey Theorem’s new Fort Collins taproom, to name a few), but this holiday season, her abstract designs are available to enjoy at a much smaller scale—on lovely, hand-painted glass ornaments for the tree (small, 2.6”, $25; large, 3.1”, $30). Joon will make just 60 of these one-of-a-kind pieces—each featuring painterly florals in one of three color ways: white and gray, blue and white, or red and white—so choose yours soon. You’ll find them online, at the Art Can—across from the Ramble Hotel—on November 22 and 23 from 5–9 p.m., or at Ironton Distillery on December 6 during First Friday from 5–9 p.m.

“The Root” Christmas Tree Stand

Who needs a tree skirt when the stand looks this good? Made by Garden Glory, a Swedish company that specializes in extravagantly designed garden goods for the high-style set, these newly launched stands are strong and stable, with a twisting root design that comes in three modern finishes: matte crème white, matte black, or silver. The stands can fit a tree up to 10 feet tall, with a 6-inch trunk diameter, and hold up to half a gallon of water. $249

Hand-Painted Note Cards

These hand-painted or -illustrated note cards by Lana Effron—the artist and creative mind behind Lana’s Shop, a stationery and design boutique based right here in Denver—are almost too pretty to write on. Our picks: Green Mountains (set of 6, $16), which features a watercolor mountain scene in soft shades of green on an off-white background; Whiskey Glass (set of 6, $16), simply adorned with a neat pour of whiskey on an off-white background; and eye-catching Safari Zebra (set of 10, $22), perfect for recipients who love a bit of adventure—in their travels and their personal style.

For the Love of Books: Designing and Curating a Home Library

Who doesn’t love a gorgeous coffee table book—especially when it’s inspiring and practical, as this new design guide is. Perfect for the stylish bibliophile on your list, For the Love of Books—co-authored by Thatcher Wine, founder of specialty bookseller Juniper Books, and Elizabeth Lane—shares philosophies and tips on curating and designing a beautiful home library, whether yours is a simple shelf or an entire room. The instructive chapters are illustrated with photographs from Juniper Books’ 18-year archive of library images, plus beautiful drawings by Samantha Hahn that bring tips for displaying your love of books to life. Copies purchased directly from Juniper Books are signed by Thatcher Wine—so this is one purchase you might not want to make on Amazon. $50

Leather-Wrapped Mirror

We’re wild about the modern-masculine vibe of leather-crafter Alexa Allen’s made-in-Boulder wares. First, we fell for her perfectly imperfect hand-formed leather trinket bowls accented with simple designs in ink, thread, and gold leaf. Then, we discovered her gorgeous wristlets, duffels, and totes. And this holiday season, we’ve got our eye on Allen’s simple, leather-wrapped round mirrors. Great for a powder room or entryway—and even better displayed in multiples for dramatic effect—they come in three sizes (14” for $120, 12” for $100, or 10” for $90) and your choice of natural or black vegetable-tanned leather with white or black stitching—or, if you’ve got something specific in mind, custom colors too. All of Allen’s leather goods are made by hand to order, so don’t save this purchase for the last minute; allow two to three weeks for delivery. This one’s worth the wait.

A Custom Floral Display

The enchanting boutique Bloom By Anuschka (with two locations, in Cherry Creek North and at Union Station) is known for many things: its gorgeous, former-model owner Anuschka Pashel; beautiful home goods, including Moroccan wool rugs and fine art; and, perhaps most of all, super-lush and structured floral arrangements studded with rare blooms, fresh greenery and berries, and even crystals and feathers. And it’s the latter that would make an unforgettable holiday present, whether you opt for the classic Bloom Gift (perfect for the tabletop), a smaller arrangement for a bedside table (to welcome those overnight guests), or a large statement-making installation—like the ones Bloom often creates for special Union Station events. Prices vary by arrangement, and Bloom’s minimum for delivery is $100 (to Denver and the surrounding metro area, from Boulder to Castle Rock), or you can stop by the Union Station kiosk to pick up a fresh arrangement, loose florals, succulents, or hand-held bouquets. Starting at $100

Christmas Countdown Candle

No matter what kind of advent calendar you grew up with, we’re guessing that this one is a bit more brilliant. Like every item on offer at hygge-emporium Hygge Life, the Christmas Countdown Candle has a simple, thoughtful, and beautiful design that can bring a bit of the Danish concept of cozy contentment into any room. But what makes it especially gift-worthy is the family tradition it can spark: The lucky recipient can make a ritual of lighting it every day in December—taking care to blow out the flame before the hand-poured wax melts down past the next date—until Christmas. Choose from black or gold numbers, and don’t forget a candle-holder. Hygge Life sells one that’s a perfect fit. $21.95

The Perfect Mug

The best mugs don’t just look lovely, they feel like they were made for your hands. That’s why we’re crazy about the simple, matte-white mugs from Artisan Artifacts, the Fort Collins ceramics studio of artist Ariana Richie. Each microwave- and dishwasher-safe mug is hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel, accented with a hand-pulled handle, and finished with a homemade glaze. We love the way a pure matte-white glaze complements the mug’s simple lines, but Richie tells us the speckled finish is her best-seller. Whichever you choose to give (or keep for yourself), we think you’ll find it’s just right. $28 each