Tis the season for giving and receiving. If you are not sure what to get your great-aunt Mable or trying to think of a gift for your twelve best friends, the list below has ideas of things to make or places to buy them local!
20 GIFTS TO MAKE OR BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
#1 CHARM BRACELET
Charms are a perfect way of reminding loved ones of special memories or personality traits that you love about them. Make it yourself and they will think about you every time they put it on.
MAKE YOUR OWN
DIY Adjustable Charm Necklace by Michele Baratta.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Ooh! Aah! Jewelry, 4216 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
#2 PERFUME
The gift of perfume or cologne is a great gift, make it personalized to add a special twist!
MAKE YOUR OWN
Homemade Natural Perfume Recipe by Ela Gale ♡.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Scented Studio, 3437 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113
Phia Alchemy Salon Spa, 2150 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80205
#3 STUFFED ANIMALS
Easy to make cuddle buddies for the kids on your list (or adult who loves super cute stuffed animals).
MAKE YOUR OWN
DIY Perfect Sheep Plush Tutorial by Maqaroon.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Build a Bear Workshop, Psst… Find a location near you online!
#4 CUSTOMIZED PET TAGS
If you have a fuzzy friend on your holiday list personalized name tag could be the perfect gift.
MAKE YOUR OWN
DIY – Dog Collar Name Tag (Shrinking Film) by Destin and Reynard.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Personal Touch Engraving-Gifts, 9150 W Jewell Ave #1, Lakewood, CO 80232
#5 SPA THINGS
Photograph courtesy of ©Popsugar
Give your friend a Treat Your Self kit with a sugar scrub, body cream, foot soak, bath bomb or homemade soap.
MAKE YOUR OWN
DIY Spa Trio by Popsugar.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
MoonDance Botanicals, 601 Corona St, Denver, CO 80218
#6 ARM KNITTED COZY CHUNKY BLANKET
Photograph courtesy of ©Made Up Style
The weather outside is chilly and the best gift for a snowy night is a cuddly blanket. Don’t sew? Don’t worry! These are two patterns that you can make with a pair of scissors and a few hours to play.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Arm Knitted Cozy Chunky Blanket from Made Up Style.
No-Sew Fleece Blanket by A Girl and a Glue Gun.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Treelotta: Fabric & Craft Studio, 1946 S Acoma St, Denver, CO 80223
#7 CERAMICS
Photograph courtesy of ©Ceramics in the City
Make a lovely centerpiece, a new flower pot or what ever else you can imagine with your hands at these local pottery studios. You can learn how to work with clay or paint a dish for that special someone in your life.
MAKE YOUR OWN & BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Ceramics in the City, 5214 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Arts On Fire, 9358 Dorchester St, Littleton, CO 80129
Psst… Or try your hand at making glassware through classes at Bella Glass Studios, 3950 Wynkoop St. Denver, CO 80216!
#8 LEATHER HANDBOUND BOOK
Photograph courtesy of ©Melissa Esplin
Make a handbound book for a friend so they can record happy memories, keep a dream journal, or just to keep note of the weather.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Leather Handbound Book by Melissa Esplin.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Wordshop, 3180 Meade St Denver, CO 80211
#9 ENGRAVED ITEMS
Photograph courtesy of ©Brit + Co
A set of engraved copper mugs is a delightful gift, especially if you package it with ingredients to make delicious Moscow Mules.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Engraved Copper Mugs from Brit + Co.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
The Engraving Place, 1356 S Jason St, Denver, CO 80223
#10 RECIPE IN A JAR
Photograph courtesy of ©Wholefully
An inexpensive but creative idea for the list of friends in your life. Make a few extra soup jars to drop off throughout the year when friends are not feeling well!
MAKE YOUR OWN
Homemade Soup Mix in Jar by Wholefully.
mason jars filled with cookie mix by The Spruce.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Santa Fe Cookie Co., 303 16th St # 12A, Denver, CO 80202
Vert Kitchen, 704 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80209
Psst… Create a family recipe album for the family by Martha Stewart!
#11 CUSTOM NAIL POLISH
Photograph courtesy of ©A Beautiful Mess
We all have that friend who’s nails are always on point. Let them know you notice by making them a custom nail polish!
MAKE YOUR OWN
Custom Color Nail Polish from A Beautiful Mess.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
The Nail Bar, 100 Acoma St Suite 100, Denver, CO 80223
#12 BOOKMARKS
Photograph courtesy of ©Sweet Paul
Bookmarks are a perfect complimentary and easy to make gift for the book lover in your book. Have the kids make some to send to grandparents along with books they have been looking forward to reading!
MAKE YOUR OWN
Paper Flower Bookmarks (easy for kids!) by The Spruce.
Vintage Button Bookmarks by Sweet Paul.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Tattered Cover, 2526 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
#13 PHOTO KEEPSAKES
Photograph courtesy of ©Something Turquoise
A picture is worth a thousand words and there are so many ways make them into gifts! Try out one of these ideas for a sweet gift for family or best friends.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Photo Mason Jar Lid Coasters by Something Turquoise.
DIY Photo Puzzles from Capturing Joy.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Things Remembered, 3000 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206
#14 WINE RACK
Photograph courtesy of ©Shanty 2 Chic
Raise a glass to the holidays and delight a friend with a new way to display the next bottles they will be enjoying with a wine rack!
MAKE YOUR OWN
DIY Wine Rack by Shanty 2 Chic.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Balistreri Vineyards, 1946 E 66th Ave, Denver, CO 80229
#15 GARDEN ORNAMENTS
Photograph courtesy of ©Light Reading Melbourne
Garden Ornaments can be a fun gift for the person on your list with a green thumb. Painted rocks can range from easy (great craft for kids) to artsy (books painted to look like bricks)- these are fun ways to brighten up a garden!
MAKE YOUR OWN
Painted Garden Rocks by Evermine.
Book Painted Bricks by Country Living.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Urban Roots, 1000 Acoma St, Denver, CO 80204
#16 KNITTED BRONCOS HAT
Photograph courtesy of ©Painting Lilies
No matter how the Broncos are doing, Colorado is going to cheer them on. Show your team spirit by knitting a hat for that super-fan in your life.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Knit a Broncos Hat by Painting Lilies.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
I Heart Denver, 500 16th St #264, Denver, CO 80202
#17 ETCHED BAKEWARE
Photograph courtesy of ©The Thinking Closet
We all have that friend who can bake a cake that blows us away. This season turn the tables! Bake them a cake and give it to them in a beautiful new pan or in an etched glass dish. It may take a little more time to create this gift, but their surprise when they get to the bottom will be worth it!
MAKE YOUR OWN
Personalized Etched Glass Bakeware by The Thinking Closet.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
The Polish Pottery Outlet, 1800 W Oxford Ave, Englewood, CO 80110
#18 CANDLES
Photograph courtesy of ©Priscilla Du Preez
Give the gift of light by making or buying candles this season. Candles come in all sizes and smells so you can personalize it!
MAKE YOUR OWN
How to Make Your Own Candles By She Knows.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Candelaria, 853 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
#19 INSTAGRAM CALENDAR
Photograph courtesy of ©A Beautiful Mess
This year is almost over, but remember this year while making the most of the next one with the gift of a calendar featuring your favorite pictures.
MAKE YOUR OWN
DIY Instagram Calendar from A Beautiful Mess.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Services, 742 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204
#20 HOMEMADE SPIRITS
Photograph courtesy of ©Something Turquoise
Raise a glass to the holidays and your friends with the gift of spirits! Make your own mixtures or find a bottle at a local distillery, either way your gift will be enjoyed.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Homemade Limoncello With Printable Label by The Cottage Market.
Mason Jar Bloody Mary Gift + Spice Recipe by Something Turquoise.
BUY LOCAL IN DENVER
Rising Sun Distillery, 1330 Zuni St, Denver, CO 80204