DENVER — With the holiday season in full swing, we've come up with a list of cool gift ideas with the added bonus of supporting local Colorado businesses.
Even better, most of the businesses allow you to shop right from your home.
Without further ado, here's 7 ‘Colorful Colorado’ Christmas gift ideas:
1. Retuned Jewelry
If you're shopping for the music lover in your life or someone who loves unique jewelry, Christina and Ian Lacey at Retuned Jewelry handmake every piece in Colorado from used guitar strings.
- What they have to say: "Because of the various alloys used to make guitar strings, they are extremely difficult to recycle. Over 700 tons of strings end up in the dump every year. We hand make all of our jewelry from repurposed, used guitar strings. We work with music shops and musicians to collect used strings that would have otherwise been thrown away."
- Holiday special: Buy 2 Get 1 Free – Mix and match any of the jewelry
- How to shop:
2. Colorado Creations Quilting
Jackie Vujcich created her Erie-based online quilt shop to share her more than 20 years of experience in quilting. Before the pandemic, Vujcich shared much of her work through trade shows, large quilt expos as well as lectures around Colorado and talk quilting classes.
- What she has to say: “I started out designing patterns with nature themes such as the Rockies and columbines. Then, about two years ago I developed a website to sell my patterns and also nature themed fabric. My catchphrase is ‘I create to inspire you.’ I believe that customer service comes first, followed by quality products and creativity.”
- Holiday special: 15% off all quilt patterns and fabric using the code DENVER7
- How to shop:
3. A la Carte Gifts and Baskets
A la Carte Gifts and Baskets deliver their gift baskets around the Denver metro area and ship worldwide if you won't be able to see your loved ones this holiday season. Many of their baskets feature local goodies to spread the Colorful Colorado love.
- What they have to say: “Gift with confidence! A la Carte specializes in custom, handmade gift baskets (and boxes!) that always send the right message for any occasion. For 25 years we have been putting smiles on recipients’ faces! Our best-seller is our 5280 Colorado Gift Basket, but our festive gourmet baskets are the highlight of the holiday season.”
- How to shop:
- https://giftbasketsdenver.com/
- 910 16th St., Denver
4. Colorado Aromatics
For the self-care lover in your life, Colorado Aromatics offers a wide variety of products to indulge in, from scrubs, to face masks, to serums and more.
- What they have to say: "Colorado Aromatics is a local skin care line that formulates products for the Colorado climate! All of our products contain herbs grown on our Certified Naturally Grown Farm."
- Holiday special: Order online with free shipping over $100
- How to shop:
- https://coloradoaromatics.com/
- 340 Lashley St., Longmont
5. 5280 Custom Framing
Does your favorite sports lover or artist have their memorabilia or prints sitting in the corner? Create a gift they can hang on their wall with 5280 Custom Framing or take your pick of their in-house gallery of original artwork and photography from local Denver artists, as well as posters and prints.
- What they have to say: "5280 Custom Framing is a family owned, award-winning custom picture framing business serving Denver and the surrounding area! Customer service is our number one priority!"
- Holiday special: $25 off any custom framing order over $100 or more
- How to shop:
- http://5280customframing.com/blog/
- 1528 15th S., Denver
6. Amendment XXI Wine and Spirits
Amendment XXI Wine and Spirits has a large, curated selection of wine, liquor, craft beer and more for the loved one who's missing happy hour. They have everything you'll need to create the perfect Old Fashioned, Bloody Mary or Margarita, with the added bonus of a charcuterie and vinyl record selection.
- What they have to say: “Amendment XXI is boutique retailer of fine wine, craft and local beer, spirits, vinyl records and more! We are open for walk-in business with strict COVID-19 safety guidelines. We urge our shoppers to use our online/curbside option."
- Holiday special: One-time offer of 15% off your first online purchase of $35 or more with the online code DENVER7 through Dec. 20
- How to shop:
- https://amendment21wines.com/
- 2548 15th St., Denver
7. Tell It Well
No gift is complete without the perfect card to go with it. Amy K. Wright is a photographer, who specializes in photography for your life and business with over 17 years of experience. She turned her passion into original greeting cards in recent years, keeping them blank so you have plenty of room to personalize with your words of love, gratitude and holiday cheer.
- What she has to say: "In 2016, [Wright] launched "Tell it Well" greeting cards with the mission of helping other female entrepreneurs around the world through small business micro-loans. 10% of sales goes to provide small business loans to women in poverty in the US and around the world. In addition, each card is printed on eco-friendly paper and features Amy's original photography."
- Holiday special: Buy any order of $30 or more and save $10 with code HAPPYHOLIDAYS20
- How to shop:
- https://www.tellitwellcards.com/
- Tell It Well gift guide
*BONUS:* Donahue Paper Emporium
Alright, I know we said it was 7 gift ideas, but you get the added bonus of Donahue Paper Emporium because they're the perfect place to pick up the extra necessities, like boxes, bags and shipping supplies, as well as any last minute stocking stuffers you may need.
- What they say: "Donahue Paper Emporium has been more than your community paper store for over 22 years now. Holiday stationery, envelopes, Colorado gifts, boxes, bags, shipping supplies and so much more is what you will find when you visit us."
- Holiday special: 20% off Colorado merchandise through December
- How to shop:
- https://www.donahuepaper.com/
- 7286 S. Yosemite St., Denver
Denver7 is keeping a list of your favorite Colorado businesses that are continuing to serve customers during the coronavirus outbreak. Let Denver7 know of a business that is open during the pandemic.