Photo courtesy of Bryant Vander Weerd and Karen Mills
The season of giving is upon us, and Denver has some of the best local and sustainable gifting options. Shopping at one of Denver's small businesses not only reduces your overall environmental impact but also supports our local economy and community.
We've compiled a list of our favorite local places to get you started. We hope you'll fall in love with these local Denver businesses and support them during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Local Denver Experiences We Love
Upstairs Circus
Multiple Locations | LoDo, Denver Tech Center
Regardless of your experience in the creativity and handiness department, you'll be sure to enjoy crafting one of the 25+ projects they offer while sipping on delicious cocktails from the full bar. You can join a group class or host a private party with friends and family. Upstairs Circus has many relationships with local catering companies and neighboring restaurants to help make your evening a total hit.
The Beer Spa
3004 N Downing St | Whittier
Have you heard of beer therapy? This isn't the kind of liquid therapy you find in the local pub. At The Beer Spa, you can enjoy a craft beer while soaking in a tub filled with hops, barley, and medicinal herbs. This unique experience creates quite a buzz in Denver and makes an excellent gift for beer connoisseurs who like to try new things. They also have a sauna, Zero Gravity Massages, and a taproom to relax before or after you enjoy your private soak.
Meow Wolf
1338 1st Street | Denver
Gift a truly one-of-a-kind experience with tickets to Denver's latest popular attraction, Meow Wolf. Meow Wolf is an immersive and interactive art experience designed to invigorate all of your senses. You'll be transported into a fantasy world created in collaboration with over 100 Colorado-based artists.
Rosy Rings
2940 E 6th Avenue | Denver
Rosy Ring is so much more than a beautifully curated boutique; it is a community space. In addition to their incredible selection of ethical brands, they offer workshops in candle making, sachet making, and more. In each class, you'll create a one-of-a-kind piece to add to your collection.
Cooking Classes
Channel your inner food network star at one of Denver's many cooking classes, including classic techniques, baking and pastry, regional cuisine, and tastings. Regardless of knowledge and experience, you'll be sure to enjoy broadening your cooking skills or expanding your dinner repertoire. Cook Street in Denver and Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar in Centennial offer classes to all age ranges.
Memberships
Denver is the epicenter of cultural experiences in Colorado. We're lucky to have many great institutions to choose from; any of these would make a wonderful experiential gift for kids or adults. Check out membership options and special events tickets at the Denver Art Museum, The Museum of Nature and Science, The Clyfford Still Museum, The Children's Museum, Museo De Las Americas, Denver Botanic Gardens, and many more.
Other clever memberships include:
Red Rocks tickets- concerts, yoga, movies, etc.
Sporting events
Art or language classes at the Colorado Free University
National Parks Pass
Local Denver Shopping Hubs
Denver Central Market
2669 Larimer Street | Denver
A Bon Appetit favorite, you have to check out Denver Central Market in the heart of RiNo. Peruse from 11 local vendors and its latest addition to the market, the iconic Tattered Cover Bookstore's new market storefront. You'll be able to grab a cup of coffee, lunch and check out a new book all under one roof. Plus, now all food vendors offer the convenience of ordering online for in-store pickup.
Photo courtesy of 5280 Magazine
Edgewater Public Market
5505 W 20th Ave | Edgewater
If you have yet to go to Edgewater Public Market just west of Sloan's Lake, you'll want to put it on your list around lunchtime. Browse the artisan and boutique shops inside, like True Grit, The Tangled Ball, and Velvet Wolf, then mosey over to the impressive food court for a mid-day snack from over 18 delectable restaurants. You can even relax with a cocktail from Roger's Bar.
Stanley Marketplace
2501 N Dallas St. | Aurora
Stanley Marketplace delivers a similar vibe on a larger scale on the east side of town. Stanley Marketplace impressively houses 50 independently owned local businesses, with gifts and experiences for everyone on your list. Check out Friendly Assembly, Goose and Goat, Mindcraft Makerspace, and many other unique restaurants and retail shops. It's truly a one-stop shop for all of your gifting needs.
South Pearl Street
S Pearl St. & E Florida | Platt Park
The shops on South Pearl Street are uber charming, with its colorful facades, historical details, and curated treasures inside. A stroll down South Pearl Street will yield full shopping bags, from Ruby's Market with impressive multi-cultural artisan-crafted gifts to bookstores, apparel shops, spirits, and pet stores. South Pearl Street is also known for its restaurants and is home to a local hot spot, Sushi Den, where you can snag a gift certificate for the foodie in your life.
Highlands Square
32nd & Lowell | West Highland
Locals are naturally drawn to the vibe and energy of Highlands Square, especially around the holidays. Find gifts for the gals in your life at one of several boutique clothing retailers like Kate Maller Jewelry, Wordshop, Rustic Thread, or Ruby Jane. For fun and sassy gifts, check out Workshop. For unique and luxurious gifts, The Perfect Petal is a local favorite. For the person who has everything, a gift card to Mondo Vino or an area restaurant is always well received.
Cherry Creek North
16 Blocks, E 1st Ave - E 3rd Ave | Cherry Creek North
Shop at Denver's largest collection of locally-owned businesses at Cherry Creek North. Out of the 260 businesses in Cherry Creek North, over 175 are small, locally-owned boutiques. From home furnishings to fashion, sports, and pets, you can spend an entire day here and knock out all of your holiday shopping in one swoop. Top off the day with some lunch or festive drinks at any of the area's delicious restaurants.
Shop Local Online
A La Carte Gift Baskets
A La Carte Gifts and Baskets crafts the perfect gift basket in the Denver area. For over 20 years, they've offered and delivered unique handcrafted gift baskets and boxes to the Denver metropolitan area. They offer everything from a corporate gift basket perfect for showing gratitude to clients to a custom Kosher treat basket. No matter the season or reason, they have the ideal gift for every person.
Wish Gifts
Wish Gifts is a local favorite that has been voted the best gift store every year since 2016! They have stores on Hampden Avenue and University Blvd, but they also have an extensive online shop that showcases all of their unique gifts, from holiday-inspired trinkets to Colorado-themed gifts, jewelry, games, housewares, and more.
Colorado Crafted
Colorado Crafted is a one-stop online shop for all things Colorado. Browse from dozens of local options include spirits, soaps, sweets, treats, and novelties, all from small Colorado businesses. You can personalize your own gift box or select an already curated basket with gifts from local makers, artisans, and businesses, perfectly packaged for any occasion.
Local Subscription Services
Curated, recurring treats make a great gift and remind your loved ones that you care for them long after the holidays are over. There are some fantastic Denver-born subscription services to look into. You have Locally Hyped for the avid local foodie, Denver Plant Delivery for the green thumbs on your list, Old Pine Candle Co. for the homebody, Native Coffee Club for the coffee lovers, and Beer Drop for your craft beer enthusiasts.
Support Local Charities
There are so many worthy local causes in Denver. Why not choose one that resonates with you and donate in a loved one's name? If you need a place to start, may we suggest one of our 2022 Live & Give Partners: Hope for Paws, Samaritan House, Wreaths Across America, or Zuma's Rescue Ranch. For more information about these local charities and a comprehensive list of causes, we've supported in the past, encompassing a wide range of beneficiaries, click HERE.
We encourage you to think local for your shopping and gifting needs this holiday season. You can also support Denver's beloved small business community by sharing your favorite local spot with others, following and interacting with businesses online, leaving great reviews, and purchasing gift cards. If we missed your favorite spot, be sure to comment below so our readers can give them some love.
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