’Tis the season for gift-giving, but instead of battling crowds at large chain stores, consider shopping local this year! Boulder is filled with so many wonderful businesses and restaurants, it’s easy to find the perfect gift for the range of people in your life. Check out these Boulderific gift ideas that will surely put smiles on your loved one’s faces this holiday season.
And we KNOW there are tons of additional local artisans and gifting options in our wonderful city. If you have one to add, drop it in the comments on the post or on Facebook. The community is better when we all share our “best ofs” and go-tos.
For the Coffee/Tea Lover
OZO Coffee Company Subscription
The coffee drinker in your life will think of you each month when they receive their delivery of freshly roasted coffee beans. OZO offers a three-month Roasters Choice option ($129.00) as well as a three-month Espresso or Blend option ($119.00). Both subscriptions include a monthly delivery of 100% Arabica coffee sourced and roasted by the pros at OZO.
Boxcar Coffee Roasters To-Go Cup
Take your coffee on the go with an eco-friendly, reusable Boxcar to-go cup from Keep Cup. It’s a glass cup with a cork band that’s easily removable for washing and a BPA free plastic lid. These cups come in two colors and sizes ($32).
For the Athlete
Boulder Therapeutics Massage Therapy Gift Certificates
This year, give the gift of healing hands to that hardworking athlete in your life. A range of gift certificate offerings are available at Boulder Therapeutics. Choose your amount in $10 increments or purchase a visit with a sports industry specialist ($120) or with a staff therapist ($79).
Chances are, if you’re living in the Boulder area, you must know at least one yogi in your circle. Give that flexible yoga fan a gift card to continue practicing yoga at one of Boulder’s favorite studios. Gift cards are sold online or at the studio located at 1750 29th Street, #2020.
For the Cook
Savory Spice Shop Spice Club Membership
If someone who loves to cook or is learning the ways of the kitchen is on your list this year, the Savory Spice Shop Spice Club membership is the perfect gift. The Spice Explorer ($79) is a twelve-month plan that delivers fresh ground spices and handcrafted seasonings each month. Other options include the the Spice Lover ($109) twelve-month plan, and the six-month Spice Tester plan for ($49).
You’ll need to purchase a gift card to Sur la table to make this one happen, but the gift of cooking classes for the novice or experienced cook in your life is surly to go a long way. A wide variety of classes take place on a weekly basis at Sur la table’s Boulder location.
Oliverde Oil of the Month Club
When cooking, quality ingredients and experimenting with flavors in the kitchen are key. Which is why purchasing a three-month ($105), six-month ($210), or twelve-month ($378) subscription to Oliverde Oil of the Month Club is a long-lasting gift.
For the Wine-Lover
Settembre Cellars Holiday Pack
Settembre Cellars is a Boulder winery making some well-loved, thoughtfully-crafted wines. This holiday season, they’ve put together a holiday pack ($100) that includes the 2011 Chardonnay, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
For Someone in Need of Pampering
A Spa Day at Marianna’s L’Esthetique Medi Spa
Half-Day and Full-Day spa packages are available for purchase at this downtown Boulder gem. The rejuvenating services included in each package are perfect for that person in your life in need of a relaxing spa day.
For the Foodie
When it comes to top-notch artisanal gift boxes, Cured is the place to go. Cured offers a large selection of gift boxes ranging from $40 to $300 and they’re filled with expertly hand-picked items that the foodie in your life will love.
If places like Zolo Grill, The West End Tavern, Centro Latin Kitchen, and Jax Fish House are all favorite spots to hit for a meal for that avid diner in your life, grab ‘em a Big Red F gift card. The card is accepted at all Big Red F restaurants in Boulder and beyond.
For the Sweet Tooth
Give the gift of education this holiday season by registering the sweet tooth in your circle for a baking or chocolate making class at Piece, Love & Chocolate. Classes are currently scheduled out into the month of February and include a line-up of educational events on tempering and decorating chocolate, demystifying macaroons, truffle techniques, and more. Pricing per class begins at $65. PLC also has a wonderful online store with delicious confectionaries, gifts, and gear for purchase.
The colorfully wrapped Chocolove chocolate bars are iconic in Boulder. And if you’re looking to give a little piece of Boulder to someone from out of town this holiday season, a Chocolove gift box is the way to go. The gift boxes come in the following sizes of beautifully wrapped boxes: 6 Bar ($12), 9 Bar ($18), 12 Bar ($24), 24 Bar ($45).
For the Craft Beer Drinker
Stainless Steel Growler + Gift Card from Upslope Brewing
A stainless steel growler is perfect for the craft beer drinker in your life. Available in two different sizes, the growler keeps beer nice and cold, whether trekking around the mountains, or simply enjoying a fresh-from-the-tap beer at home. Fill it with beer or package it together with a gift card. The craft beer aficionado in your life will thank you for it.
Wild Woods Brewery 22 oz. Bombers
Local craft beer drinkers love the woodsy flavors coming out of this east Boulder brewery, but since their inception, Wild Woods beers have only been available on draft. That is until just recently. Wild Woods Ponderosa Porter and Treeline IPA are now available in the Wild Woods taproom in 22 oz. bombers. All you need is a little bow or ribbon and you’ve got yourself a great gift.
Twisted Pine Brewing Co. Gift Card
Twisted Pine is more than just a beloved Boulder brewery, they’re a brewpub, and a gift certificate to their HQ in central Boulder is good for some locally-made crafted brew and grub. Grab an Ale House Gift Card, package it in a logoed pint glass from the brewery’s website, and let the gift giving begin.
Homebrewing How-To Book from Boulder Fermentation Supply
Brewing is a science and while you’d love to get that homebrewer in your life a bag of malts or some vibrant smelling hops, it’s probably best to just let them hone their craft on their own. Instead, stop by the Boulder Fermentation Supply shop off of Foothills Parkway and pick them up some reading material to help them elevate their craft.
What craft beer aficionado wouldn’t benefit from a brewery guidebook of the sudsy state of Colorado? Boulder-based award-winning journalist, Dan Rabin, has taken one for the team put together the Colorado Breweries book based on his exploration of the state of craft beer in Colorado. This book is perfect for that person in your circle that spends their free time trying out new breweries.
For the Outdoor Enthusiast
Shop local without breaking the bank by purchasing a fashionable and functional beanie for the person in your life that continues to seek out adventure—even when the temperatures fall. Beanies and headbands range in price from $19 to $39. La Sportiva also has a huge selection of other products for the outdoorsy person in your life.
If you have a fisherman or fisherwoman on your shopping list this year, consider giving them a fly-tying kit from Tenkara. The Basic Kit ($95) and Upgraded Kit ($145) both include everything needed to tie some impressive ties to real the big fish on many fishing expeditions to come.
Gift Certificate to Neptune Mountaineering
The city of Boulder and the sport of climbing are kind of synonymous, but you can’t just run out and buy gear for the climber in your life. Instead, head to Neptune Mountaineering, a long-time Boulder business, and grab a gift card. Neptune has mens and womens apparel, footwear, and camping, climbing, and ski gear.
Give the adventurous and snow-loving person in your life the gift of locally-made, top-notch snowshoes. Crescent moon is a Boulder-based company that has been making mens and womens snowshoes since 1997. Choose from “Mountain Hiking”, “Backcountry”, or “Expedition” models and brace yourself for a giant hug.
Wallets, messenger bags, totes, purses, backpacks, and more—this Boulder-based company is making them—and they’re not only cute—they’re durable as well. Sherpani bags come in a variety of sizes and colors, and can be easily purchased online.
If you have an athletic, outdoorsy, and super active gal on your list this year, you have to check out Skirt Sports. This female-owned company has been cute and functional active ware for women since 2004. While the company makes a wide variety of fun women’s apparel, the infamous Skirt Sports skirt is one on their top sellers. For the marathon runner, or the hiker, or the cyclist, or just the stylish woman on your list, there’s a skirt for that—and chances they’re going to love their gift this year.
For the Person You Never Know What To Get
Downtown Boulder is filled with a wonderful mix of small, independent businesses and award-winning restaurants—there’s a little something for everyone to be found here. This year, instead of racking your brain to find the perfect gift for that tough-to-shop-for person in your life, give them a Downtown Boulder Gift Card and let them choose their own gift! The card is accepted at 200 downtown Boulder businesses and is easy to purchase online.
You know the Boulder Passport that gets you 2-f0r-1 drinks all summer long? Well, why not give the gift of a happier hour with the Winter Warmer, brought to you by the folks at the Boulder Passport. For $20, you’ll score a pass valid at an amazing array of 20 Boulder purveyors of adult beverages. Salt, Shine, and West Flanders Brewing are just a few on the list. Two stops and the pass pays for itself! The perfect gift for co-workers, that office gift exchange, or hey — yourself. Quantities are limited and grab yours before they’re gone.
