We have quite the creative community in the state of Colorado. From local makers that sell their goods online to small businesses with brick-and-mortar storefronts, there are many companies to choose from while doing your Valentine’s Day shopping.
Now presenting… our Valentine’s Day gift guide with hand-selected items sold by Colorado companies!
Whatever your budget or style, you are sure to find something on this list that catches your eye — and the eye of your valentine! Many gifts are for the home, some are for wearing or sipping, and a few are for you to enjoy together. We’ve been waiting to share this with you, and hope it can enhance your shopping experience, or at least make you aware of a few exceptional Colorado companies in the meantime.
We can all agree that it’s important to support our neighbors by shopping locally. For this post, we consider the entire state of Colorado our “neighbors”! So band with us as we aim to keep our dollars in the beautiful state of Colorado this Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Eden Candle | Loveland — $20
This rosemary, basil, sage and spearmint soy candle from And the People sounds like it smells good enough to eat. All of their products are handmade in small batches in their home studio in Loveland, where they handle the entire candle making process — from creation to packaging and shipping to photographing products. With quality ingredients, like their 100% non-GMO soy wax, you can expect the highest quality candles, created just down the road.
Tasting Colorado Cookbook | Online + Various Colorado Stores — $25
Denver author, Michele Morris of Cooking With Michele, shares her love for our state’s flavors in her book, “Tasting Colorado: Favorite Recipes from the Centennial State” that debuts the dazzling variety of Colorado’s cuisine. This is the perfect gift for the cook or baker in your life (or the aspiring ones!) as it draws from local dishes and favorites. You can order it online or at various Colorado bookstore locations.
Swappable Design Inserts + Clear iPhone Case | Fort Collins — $35
If you’re new to the area, you may be happy to find out that the world-renowned OtterBox is based in Fort Collins. So you are still technically supporting a local company by shopping their durable, resilient and practically life-proof phone cases. OtterBox’s fun swappable design inserts will allow your valentine to switch out patterns when they get sick of a look, and each pattern is just $5! So buy them the clear case that fits their smartphone — from an iPhone to an Android and everything in between — and pick a design or two. Or can let them choose their own if you’ve got a picky valentine!
Cinnamon Swagger Whole Leaf Tea + Stump Teapot | Denver — $36
Warm up the soul with this whole leaf tea from Denver-based Teakoe accompanied by their Stump Teapot, ideal for any hot tea drinker. This pot handles any loose-leaf or pyramid-bag tea and is equipped with a removable infuser and hinged lid for easy brewing! The cinnamon, peppercorn and clove notes of the Cinnamon Swagger tea is sure to comfort your valentine in the remaining cold days of winter.
It gets even more interesting! Did you know that tea could be promoted to a cocktail? Teakoe has constructed a mixology guide with recipes and instructions for taking their teas to the next level. The Mountain Mojito makes mountainous Colorado proud.
Herbal Bitters Sample Box | Denver — $37
Picking a drink flavor for someone can be a difficult task. Strongwater took out the guessing game with their Herbal Bitters Sample Box. It includes all four of their delicious bitters in a custom-branded Strongwater gift box. You and your valentine can experiment with their Golden Ichor, Amores Melipona, Fire Tamer and Sweet Riza bitters, and settle on your favorites! Need some direction at the cocktail bar? Thankfully, Strong Water has lots of recipes to choose from.
Winged Nike Mug | Denver — $38
It was hard to pick just one thing from Carnevale Clay’s inventory of gorgeous, handmade pottery. The Winged Nike Mug is coil and slab handcrafted and made from red stoneware and white glaze. Anne Carnevale, the Denver-based creator behind these creations, is a master at her craft hoping to tell a story with each piece.
This mug would make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for all coffee and tea drinkers. In fact, maybe you could pair it with a local tea or coffee? We love Happy Lucky’s Teahouse and Treasures for tea and have a few favorites for coffee!
Coloradical Tree Tie | Denver — $50
Help your man support Colorado in a subtle way with this Coloradical Tree Tie from Knotty Tie Co… because who doesn’t love a good tree graphic? All of their ties are made with certified organic cotton sateen, and are made by hand in the USA. Knotty Tie Co. has the utmost consideration for the ethical treatment of people and the environment and even hire skilled resettled refugees. This is a stylish company with a global perspective for doing good.
Fort Collins Colorado 36×24″ Poster | Boulder — $50
The perfect gift for the Colorado enthusiast (shouldn’t that be everyone?) is this Fort Collins Colorado poster from Kind Design, based in Boulder. This particular poster is the topographical map of Fort Collins mixed with the infamous Colorado flag, but you can choose from a wide selection of their various Mapping Colorado Prints, such as Steamboat Springs or Aspen. Or step it up a notch and order one of their metal prints for your valentine! For the matte paper prints, be sure to order well in advance (1-2 weeks) as each print is made to order.
“The Arlene” Heirloom Box | Denver — $59
This heirloom box from Bohemian Woodworx would make for a meaningful and gorgeous Valentine’s Day gift. This particular size holds up to a 2.5×3.25” wallet-sized print, so it would be the perfect container to hold prints of you and your valentine. You can even order custom lid wood burning to truly personalize your heirloom box.
Bohemian Woodworx offers a variety of different sizes to choose from that vary by price, so pick whichever one works well within your budget! We promise, your valentine will not be disappointed with the beautiful hand-made craftsmanship of these pieces.
Print + Wood Cleat | Denver — $59
Artifact Uprising has a mission to bring your moments off your device and into your life. They help achieve this goal by offering high-quality prints and unique ways to display your photos. One of our favorite pieces is their print + wood cleat handcrafted with beetle pine reclaimed from Colorado forests. Upload your favorite couple photo as the included signature print on thick paper with a textured matte eggshell finish. Pair this print with the wood cleat and you’ve got the perfect gift for your loved one to admire and cherish forever.
Get Hitched at Loveland’s 25th Annual Mountaintop Matrimony | Loveland Ski Area — $65
Make this Valentine’s Day a mountaintop experience for you and your valentine — or should we say your fiancé? Loveland’s 25th Annual Mountaintop Matrimony is a mass-wedding at the top of the Ptarmigan Lift (with a 12,050 feet elevation!) for couples getting married. It’s also a big party for those wishing to renew their vows. The best part? You both get to ski and snowboard for the price of one ticket. Just propose with, “Marry me and ski for free!” and she’ll be convinced. If she says “yes”, get all the information and pre-register by February 12!
Hand-woven Wall Hanging | Fort Collins — $75
These hand-woven wall hangings are just examples of Sarah Neubert’s work that you can commission or pick up at Rain Boutique in Fort Collins or two other Colorado locations. Contact Sarah to work on a personalized commission piece, specifying the colors, design and size of your Valentine’s Day gift. A weaving is an adorable piece to hang in the home, and its handmade and local qualities make it even better!
Cooking Class | Fort Collins — $75
The Cooking Studio in Fort Collins offers cooking classes multiple times a week covering a variety of culinary subjects. They even have a Valentine’s Eve class on February 13, but because of its popularity, it is sold out! You might add yourself to the wait list, but it’s more safe to gift a future cooking class to your valentine! The Winter Soups and Stews class on the Saturday after Valentine’s Day (February 20th) would make for the perfect cozy date night.
Breadboard | Denver — $93
This beetle kill walnut breadboard from Azure Furniture is hand-shaped and sanded in their Denver factory and finished with an all-natural, food-safe oil and beeswax blend. Our favorite part about this Valentine’s Day gift? Because each piece of wood is different from the next, every breadboard has varying markings, knots and characteristics. So you’ll receive a one-of-a-kind piece built by hand from an exceptional local woodworker.
Lamp Made From Repurposed Skateboards | Fort Collins — $95
Genuine Woodworking makes one of the more unique collections of home goods, constructing their pieces from repurposed skateboards. This eclectic and colorful look of their lamp is sure to make a statement during your Valentine’s Day gift exchange. Explore their other funky options, like their drink coasters or smartphone speakers!
Woolrich Rover Pack | Denver/Fort Collins/Boulder — $198
We have our eye on this American-made pack from Topo Designs. Apparently a lot of other people do too, as the pattern we’re most excited about (red and black buffalo check) is on backorder. So add your name to the waiting list to hear when it’s back in stock, or grab a black pack instead. Or explore the myriad of other bags, apparel and accessories available from this Colorado company. You really can’t go wrong with Topo Designs!
Boulder Brewery Tour | Boulder — FREE
Did you know that there are 20 breweries, five wineries and four distilleries in Boulder? We know the people of FoCo love a good craft beer, so we suggest venturing a little further from home and trying someplace new!
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to hop on board one of their (usually free!) brewery tours. Breweries with regularly scheduled tours include Avery Brewing Company, Boulder Beer Company, FATE Brewing Company, Redstone Meadery, Upslope Brewing Company and Vapor Distillery. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, maybe spend Valentine’s Eve exploring one of these breweries on Saturday night. Make a weekend out of it!
Loveland 2016 Sweetheart City Valentine Program | Loveland — FREE
Loveland is the nation’s Sweetheart City, and rightfully so! Over 130,000 people across the world send in their Valentine’s Day cards each year to get a special cachet message from this city of love as part of Loveland’s Valentine Re-Mailing Program. All you have to do is mail in your pre-addressed, pre-stamped valentine(s) in a larger, 1st class envelope and the rest is history! If you’re confused, here’s a visual that may help. All Colorado mail must be received by February 10 in order for it to make it to your valentine in time!
It’s the season of love and we love all things local.
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