Guides Places

Psst… 20 Gifts to Make or Buy Local in Denver

Brit + Co | The Denver Ear

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

Charm Bracelet | The Denver Ear

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! Jewelry4216 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

#2 PERFUME

Perfume | The Denver Ear

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 Studio3437 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113

Phia Alchemy Salon Spa2150 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80205

#3 STUFFED ANIMALS

Stuffed Animals | The Denver Ear

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

Customized Pet Tags | The Denver Ear

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-Gifts9150 W Jewell Ave #1, Lakewood, CO 80232

#5 SPA THINGS
Popsugar | The Denver Ear

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 Botanicals601 Corona St, Denver, CO 80218

#6 ARM KNITTED COZY CHUNKY BLANKET
Made Up Style | The Denver Ear

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 Studio1946 S Acoma St, Denver, CO 80223

#7 CERAMICS
Ceramics in the City | The Denver Ear

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 City5214 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220

Arts On Fire9358 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
Melissa Esplin | The Denver Ear

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
Brit + Co | The Denver Ear

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 Place1356 S Jason St, Denver, CO 80223

#10 RECIPE IN A JAR
Wholefully | The Denver Ear

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 Kitchen704 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80209

Psst… Create a family recipe album for the family by Martha Stewart!

#11 CUSTOM NAIL POLISH
A Beautiful Mess | The Denver Ear

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 Bar100 Acoma St Suite 100, Denver, CO 80223

#12 BOOKMARKS
Sweet Paul | The Denver Ear

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 Cover2526 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

#13 PHOTO KEEPSAKES
 Something Turquoise | The Denver Ear

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 Remembered3000 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206

#14 WINE RACK
Shanty 2 Chic | The Denver Ear

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 Vineyards1946 E 66th Ave, Denver, CO 80229

#15 GARDEN ORNAMENTS
Light Reading Melbourne | The Denver Ear

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 Roots1000 Acoma St, Denver, CO 80204

#16 KNITTED BRONCOS HAT
Painting Lilies | The Denver Ear

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 Denver500 16th St #264, Denver, CO 80202

#17 ETCHED BAKEWARE
 The Thinking Closet | The Denver Ear

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 Outlet1800 W Oxford Ave, Englewood, CO 80110

#18 CANDLES
Candles | The Denver Ear

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

Candelaria853 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204

#19 INSTAGRAM CALENDAR
A Beautiful Mess | The Denver Ear

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 Services742 Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80204

#20 HOMEMADE SPIRITS
Something Turquoise | The Denver Ear

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 Distillery1330 Zuni St, Denver, CO 80204