Denver Holiday Gift Guide 2022
As someone who worked at a locally-owned lingerie boutique for 6 years, I am a massive proponent of the shop local movement! Not only do you not have to wait on fickle delivery times - you also contribute to your local community (and see items in person). I’m also pretty anti-Amazon around here - why get cheap nonsense in 2 days when you can get high quality goods immediately?
Denver has so many small pockets to explore - I can only imagine this list will grow!
Vaguely Central
Sewn Vintage on South Broadway
The Herbery - 819 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
The Herbery was founded in 1974, and their website URL isn’t much newer. Don’t let that deter you; consider it inspiration to visit this quirky plant shop in person! Their dedicated staff can help even the most black-thumbed newbie find the perfect plant.
Marczyk Fine Foods - 5100 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Y’all know I love a fancy local grocery store - and Marczyk is Denver’s answer to Dean & DeLuca. This small-but-mighty local staple might be a weird choice for holiday presents - but everything at this shop is elevated. Perfect for the foodie in your life.
Tattered Cover - 2526 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Local favorite, coziness central, does it get any better than this? Tattered Cover is well-known (and loved) among locals as offering just as much as Barnes and Noble but with shop local street cred. Even better, it’s the largest black-owned bookshop in the United States! The Colfax location is the OG, but there are locations all over the Denver Metro (including the airport, for last-minute gift-givers).
Twist and Shout - 2508 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
If the address of Twist & Shout seems vaguely familiar to you, that’s because it’s right next door to Tattered Cover! This Media Mecca is ostensibly a record shop, but tapes, DVDs, and other forms of physical media can all be found here. The hardest part of shopping here is staying in budget!
Northeast
Meek Vintage in RiNo
M.W. Reynolds - 1616 Stout St, Denver, CO 80202
This classic shop in RiNo lends itself towards the well-appointed outdoorsman. Though not explicitly for men (they have plenty of gear for your favorite female or NB sportsperson), it’s a great spot for that father-in-law who has high standards and just buys everything for himself.
Meek Vintage - 2901 Blake St #160, Denver, CO 80205
Though I don’t typically advocate for shopping vintage as gifts (it’s a touch too personal and the sizing is a nightmare), Meek has lots of wonderful things to offer! From beautiful jewelry and cocktail mixers, to art and local beauty products, it has everything for the coolest person you know.
Modern Nomad - 2936 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Picture the coolest flea market you can - then make it better. Enter Modern Nomad. This stall-based shop is endlessly perusable. It’s the closest thing to a one-stop shop on this list.
Paddywax Candle Bar - 2654 Walnut St Suite 520, Denver, CO 80205
Candles are the ultimate lazy mom gifts. Why not kick it up a notch with a gift certificate for a custom candle from Paddywax? From classes to kits, it’s perfect for any level of crafter. Bonus if you get a group together and sip and pour together!
Northwest
Sarah O. Jewelry in the Highlands
Berkeley Supply Company - 4040 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
This multi-generational clothing store is a one stop shop for all the men in your life. With classic brands like Filson and Carhartt, local favorites like Topo Designs, and up-and-comers like Railcar Fine Goods, you can fill the sartorial needs and desires of all the men (or people who need tough clothes) on your shopping list.
Candelaria - 3641 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
This chic candle shop should be high on your list for your best friend’s gifts. In addition to candles, gifts, and classes, Candelaria gives thousands of dollars per year in charitable donations.
Mondo Vino - 3601 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Coloradoans LOVE their craft beer - but what about wine? Never fear, this Highlands staple has both! Find something wild and wacky for the sommelier in your life, or book a tasting with your friends and fam. This is unlike any liquor store you’ve ever been to.
The Perfect Petal - 3600 W 32nd Ave B, Denver, CO 80211
A florist first and foremost, The Perfect Petal also has stunning gifts. The prettiest home goods you’ve seen, get a floral boutique (or extremely beautiful matches) for that hard-to-shop-for acquaintance. Also, follow them on Instagram for floral dreams.
Sarah O. Jewelry - 4301 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
Sarah O. turns heads for its stunning storefront. It keeps heads looking with its stunning, delicate jewelry. It is a traditional jewelry shop - with prices to match. But if you need to let someone know how special they are to you, Sarah O. should be high on your list.
West Side Books - 434 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Cute, quirky, colorful and fun, this bookstore has it all! There’s a huge used and rare section in the back for the literary-minded to peruse. West Side has wonderfully curated book lists on their website to help guide your search for the perfect bookish gift!
Side note: the very cool Bookbar is closing on Dec. 31, 2022, so if you love books and booze, stop in and say goodbye!
South
Angelo’s Records on South Broadway
Angelo’s Records - 1959 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
Calling all music snobs! Angelo’s is a well-curated record shop worthy of hours upon hours of perusal. The top floor is all used records and the bottom floor is all new. They gained points in my book when I discovered they ONLY carry the post-Scooter Taylor Swift records.
Birdsall & Co. - 2870 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113
Birdsall is THE place to go for plants in South Denver. Large, reasonably priced, and offering local art and beautiful pots as well, it’s a wonderful place for home gifts of all stripes. Blessedly, it has a very large parking lot.
Sewn - 18 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209
As of this writing, Sewn has a perfect 5 star rating on Google - for good reason. I profiled Sewn in my list of my favorite vintage shops in Denver, but it’s for the sewers in your life, as well! They’ve got lots of vintage sewing supplies and patterns, and bespoke clothing from local artists. Perfect for the textile geeks in your life.
Terra Apothecary - 1452 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
Terra is listed as an “herb shop” - a perfect description. Full of dried herbs, incense, essential oils, it’s a great place to make whatever fragrant item pops into your head. The staff is super friendly and helpful. It’ll give you the feelings of a 19th century pharmacy…. only in modern times.
Southeast
Southeast Denver doesn’t have much in the way of local boutiques - check out these lists of shops in Aurora and Parker for inspiration.
Microcenter - 8000 E Quincy Ave, Denver, CO 80237
For all the gadget lovers in your life, Microcenter has everything (and I mean eeeeeeeverything). If you find yourself a little lost (honestly, same), get a gift certificate and set your favorite techie loose in this mecca of cords and computer parts.
Timbuk Toys - 2526 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222
This toy store has it all - fun toys, good books, and a kooky atmosphere. Maybe don’t bring your kids on this shopping trip. They may never leave!
Southwest
Confía Collective - 1549 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
This is not your grandmother’s metaphysical shop! This brightly appointed, Latina-owned, millennial-friendly shop sells everything you need on your astrophysical exploration. From pretty jewelry to dowsing tools, if you need something for that cool boho-adjacent person in your life, let this be your first stop.
Melrose & Madison - 1500 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
This super cute boutique in Denver’s South Pearl Neighborhood has been a local favorite for nearly 10 years - for good reason. This stylish boutique is a good mix of quirky and on trend. You’ll be tempted to grab something for yourself along with your giftee!
Old Barrel Tea Company - 1224 Washington Ave Suite 118, Golden, CO 80401
This company started in New Mexico and (thank God) has spread north! They have dozens of tea blends both caffeinated and decaffeinated. For any cooking lovers in your life, they have amazing spice blends as well. Take it from me - their 13th wonder spice blend will have everyone asking, “what did you put in this?!” (in the best way possible).
Spinster Sisters Co. - 1116 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401
Not only does this Golden-based business sell locally - they manufacture locally, too! Filled to the brim with luxurious soaps, bath bombs, and other skincare products, a gift package is perfect for your holiday gift-giving. Even better, they have sustainable packaging and are 100% plant-based.
If you have Denver favorites, share them with me via email on my Contact page! Who knows, it might end up on next year’s list.
