Boulder's Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday shopping in Boulder is a little different than anywhere else. You'll meander through a historic, brick-paved downtown under twinkling lights, chatting with independent shopkeepers and local makers along the way, or take in fresh mountain views from an open-air shopping center. It sure beats powering through a mega-mall under the glow of fluorescent lights. 

Fresh-Picked Gifts

Every item in this carefully curated gift guide has a special tie to Boulder. There are made-right-here art pieces, cool Boulder-branded items, and unique experiences (maybe the best gifts of all). 

Wander in Style Flatirons T-Shirt ($48)

Edgy, soft and totally Boulder with the Flatirons depicted in a way we're never seen before. This tee might be just perfect for the teen in your life.  

Where to Buy It: Flower Wild

Flagstaff Star Necklace ($40)

Every year, Boulderites await the lighting of the star on Flagstaff Mountain, a favorite holiday tradition since 1947. Moe Rose, an artist born and raised in Boulder, has created a tribute to the beloved star with a chic pendant in the shape of the star, with its perimeter of lights hand-stamped as tiny divots around its edges. 

Where to Buy It: Dish Gourmet beginning Nov. 6; Etsy until then

Only-in-Boulder Chocolates ($2.85 and up)

A shiny case full of colorful, melt-in-your-mouth truffles awaits at Piece, Love and Chocolate. Create your own gift box, and be sure to include a Truffalo (a dark-chocolate and butterscotch buffalo-shaped truffle), an Ozo coffee truffle (locally roasted coffee), Avery Out of Bounds stout truffle (locally brewed beer), and a Savannah Bee honeycomb truffle (honey from down the street at Savannah Bee Company).   

Where to Buy It: Piece, Love and Chocolate

Make-Your-Own-Stained-Glass Workshop ($165)

The bright and airy Colorado Glass Works studio on Pearl Street is chock full of fun supplies and a schedule of creative workshops to help craft your own glass art. Their holiday edition stained-glass class is a two-hour, hands-on session in which participants will create a goodie for themselves or a loved one. All tools and materials are provided.

Where to Buy It: Colorado Glass Works

Pyrographic Art ($150)

A series of free-hand, burnt-wood panels depicting moths, honeybees and other subjects fitting for nature lovers can be found throughout the treasure-filled gift shop, Bliss. They're created in an art nouveau-inspired style by local artist Summer Stanley. 

Where to Buy It: Bliss

Tour of Boulder's Murals by E-Bike ($89)

Did you know Boulder has more than 135 murals, many of which have popped up just in the last three years? JD's Joyrides offers a two-hour Wall To Wall Boulder eBike Mural Ride, during which you'll see dozens of murals and other sights while touring Boulder in style and ease on a Rad Power Bike. Guide Joel (JD) is a long-time local with a passion for Boulder, art and biking.

Where to Buy It: JD's Joyrides

NiteIze BugLit Micro Flashlight ($13.99)

Boulder's own illumination gadget experts at NiteIze created this little insect-like flashlight with bendable "legs" that wrap around to hold it in place and free up your hands. It's a great stocking stuffer bound to bring a little light into their lives. 

Where to Buy It: Ramble Marketplace

Hydrascape Flatirons Infinity Sticker ($19.95)

These stickers are so clever. A special design means they can be applied in one long strip to flat surfaces, like car bumpers or coolers, OR they can wrap around a water bottle to create a layered landscape! What's even cooler is that Boulder's own Flatirons mountains have their own sticker, alongside other landmarks like Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Arches National Park.

Where to Buy It: Art Mart

Bee + Rose Scrub ($28) and Spray ($18)

This yummy-smelling Boulder skincare and beauty line uses only renewable and organic ingredients in their sprays, scrubs and aromatic candles, designed to bring you closer to nature. Give a gift of self-care with the sea-salt-based Uplifting Scrub's scents of lavender and rosemary, and the Fiori Flowers Spray, named after a local Boulder florist!

Where to Buy It: Island Farm

Cooking Class ($99 and up)

Excellent instruction in a chic Pearl Street kitchen makes Food Lab a jovial, enlighting and totally tasty experience to give as a gift. Choose from a huge variety of topics, such as "Evening in Israel," "Date Night in Napa," "Plant-Based Holiday" or "Morrocan Nights."   

Where to Buy It: Food Lab

Block-Print Prayer Flags ($25)

Hand-printed on colorful fabric by a local artist, these banners cheer up any space or can be hung outside. Traditional Tibetan prayer flags represent peace and compassion and are hung in the open air so the wind can carry mantras and positive vibrations into the world.

Where to Buy It: Two Hands Paperie

Holiday Tea at Hotel Boulderado ($42 adult, $28 child; free for age 4 and under)

On the historic mezzanine of this elegant and historic hotel, with beautiful views of the hotel’s famous stained-glass canopy ceiling, you'll feast on sumptuous bites and sip tea from teacups as carolers provide a festive soundtrack. This gift requires a little planning ahead, with reservations required. 

Where to Buy It: Hotel Boulderado

Flatirons T-Shirt ($29)

Stio, an outdoor store with a location at Pearl and 15th, is expressing its love for Boulder with several original t-shirt designs featuring the Flatirons. We dig this understated, pencil-sketch artwork on super soft blue knit jersey and bet someone in your family or friend circle will love it, too.

Where to Buy It: Stio

Boulder Brews, Booze, and Bites Tour ($79)

Local Table Tours' unique libations tour lets you taste Boulder-brewed beer, mead and craft cocktails at favorite bars, breweries and restaurants in downtown Boulder. This two-hour tour also incorporates light bites to keep you from imbibing on an empty stomach. 

Where to Buy It: Local Table Tours

Round Flower Earrings ($75)

R Gallery is a local arts cooperative that's filled to the rafters with work by local painters and creators, including Linda Toukan's metalsmith jewelry. You'll find pendants with Colorado mountain scenes and delicate items like these sterling silver flower earrings.  

Where to Buy It: R Gallery or Ramble Marketplace

Salt Room Experience ($35)

As a member of the Salt Therapy Association (did you know there was one?), Salt of the Earth, in north Boulder, provides visitors access to a quiet, salt-lined chamber in which to relax, breathe and experience the benefits of salt therapy. It's believed to improve respiratory systems, relieve anxiety and support overall well-being. $35 gets you 45 minutes in a shared salt room or 20 minutes in an individual space. 

Where to Buy: Salt of the Earth

Boulderado Candle, $25

Old Barrel Tea Company sources their heavenly scented candles from a talented family member who lives in the area. They were inspired to name the one that smells like crisp, fresh-washed linens after Hotel Boulderado, the legendary historic hotel located just a few blocks away. 

Where to Buy: Old Barrel Tea Company

Guitar and Floral Baseball Caps, $30

The work of Boulder artist Millicent Kang adorns these colorful and cheerful hats, and they come in a variety of great colors and designs suitable for everyone in the family. 

Where to Buy: Ramble Marketplace