get the word on meaningful gifts and experiences
As temperatures begin to cool down, our hearts and spirits are warmed by meaningful gifts and experiences this holiday season. Cherished moments spent with friends, family, loved ones and the community will hold a special place in our memories for years to come as we mindfully celebrate our connections with others.
This year, we’ve thoughtfully curated a list of our favorite local Denver and Boulder-area gift ideas. Here you’ll find ways to give the gift of treasured moments through local events and restaurants, subscription services, community, wellness and more — making the most of the holidays with the people most special to us.
holiday events
Special experiences shared with family and friends are the hallmark of the holiday season. Imagine sipping on hot chocolate and admiring shimmering light displays or strolling through a charming holiday market. These delightful Denver-area events and destinations are sure to ignite holiday cheer.
Cherry Creek North Winter Wanderland Light Walk
Enjoy exploring 16 blocks illuminated with more than half a million lights, plus displays choreographed to music, local shopping and entertainment at this festive holiday destination.
This magical train invites riders aboard a vintage coach pulled by an authentic, coal-fired steam locomotive at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.
Admire the sparkling luminosity of the Mile High Tree, a spectacular 110-foot tall music and lights show installation by ILMEX Illumination.
A charming and authentic German holiday market is unveiled without ever having to leave Denver at the Christkindlmarket, with artisan gifts, delicious treats and holiday music enveloping visitors in warmth.
A wonderland of holiday cheer unfolds across six acres of landscape in artist’s Lonnie Hanzon’s dazzling Camp Christmas display. Connect with loved ones while sipping seasonal cocktails or taking memorable photos in front of holiday installations.
food + drinks
Sharing delectable food and drinks with others is a flavorful way to create lasting memories. Take a tasting journey while exploring Denver’s rich history, relax with friends in a cozy setting while playing nostalgic board games, or invite your four-legged friends to join in on the holiday fun.
Delicious Denver Food Tours is passionate about two things — food and Denver. Their fun and engaging tours support local restaurants, connect visitors to locals and teach Denver’s unique history to attendees.
An informative and interactive guided tour, the Denver Microbrew Tour informs attendees of the history of beer and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process — plus ten samples along the way.
A restaurant whose mission is using games, music, food and drink to stimulate conviviality invites guests to enjoy relaxing and playing games while connecting with friends, family and the community — with some friendly competition of course.
Featuring an airy outdoor patio and private dog park, The Watering Bowl is Denver’s ultimate dog-friendly restaurant, where friends, family and Fido can enjoy a meal out together.
subscription services
Subscription services and kits continue to give well after the holiday season has passed. From art to coffee, plants to adventures, these thoughtful gifts will spark lasting joy in family and friends.
A purpose-driven art therapy experience, Crockd offers pottery kits that can be completed with yourself of a team, encouraging reflection and relaxation.
Coffee lovers enjoy a bag of specialty coffee from different local Colorado coffee roasters each month, plus a free drink card to the roaster’s café and merchandise.
A unique self-guided tour is unveiled in a Treasure Box kit, each featuring a tour map that explores Colorado through urban adventure, progressive meals and the outdoors.
For those with green thumbs, Denver Plant Delivery will send a new surprise plant and planter each month, including rare varieties and custom options.
wellness
The gift of wellness and relaxation is irreplaceable, and these offerings are sure to promote health and serenity. Give the experience a mindful community, luxurious spa day, sky-high fitness class or unique workshop to promote ultimate wellbeing.
A positive home for wellness and community, Urban Sanctuary was created to support diverse practitioners and enable them to share their gifts with the community. Yoga, reiki, massage, coaching, workshops and more are offered in this serene space. Fans of milehimodern can use the code “FREEFORUS” for a complimentary session.
Following a day spent exploring nature trails, revel in a sumptuous spa day at the Spa at St. Julien in Boulder. The ultimate Day of Decadence package includes a signature scrub, Swedish massage, facial and more, plus a delightful glass of champagne and charcuterie board.
Experience total fitness from the above in this aerial fitness training class. The training method combines elements of Pilates, ballet and HITT on aerial hammocks to strengthen your core and tone your physique.
Staffed by a skilled community of dedicated herbalists and natural health practitioners, Apothecary Tinctura shares their passion and wisdom for plant medicine by offering workshops, acupuncture, aromatherapy and more for a total mind and body wellness experience.
giving back
Giving the gift of time and support to the community is essential during the holiday season. Working with our friends and neighbors to assist and support local organizations is a valuable experience with a lasting, visible impact.
A non-profit organization, Women’s Bean Project supports chronically unemployed women by teaching them to work to make nourishing dry food products. The organization invites volunteers to assist in committee and corporate involvement, special events, fundraising and more.
Art for the Nations is a non-profit organization founded to foster the joy of artistic creation through creating and distributing bags of art supplies to children. Volunteers paint and fill the art bags in Denver, and they are sent all around the world.
The Grow Haus is a community-driven non-profit organization offering food distribution programming and wellness educational opportunities related to growing and cooking food. Supporting Grow Haus by donating an emergency food box or signing up for a food box program directly supports the education and food access of the North Denver community.
Domino Service Dogs is a non-profit organization that assists individuals with disabilities in training their own service dogs using a rewards-based training technique. Volunteers are invited to get involved through donations or becoming a part of the DSD fundraising crew, directly impacting Colorado’s disability community.
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