10 Perfect Colorado Gifts for the Last Minute

Listen, life is stressful, and sometimes shopping for gifts falls to the bottom of your to-do list. We get it. But that doesn’t mean you have to show up to a celebration empty-handed—and earn the scorn of your father-in-law.

We scoured the city for gifts from Colorado companies that you can grab at the last minute, either by popping into a store or quickly printing out a ticket. You can thank us later.

Sugar Bloom Cookie Decorating Kits

Sure, you could buy all your Martha-Stewart-in-the-making friends another cookbook for Christmas, or you could give them something a little more hands-on. These cookie-decorating kits (starting at $15) from Sugar Bloom Cookie in Westminster let your aspiring pastry chef focus on their artistic flair, rather than the baking itself. That’s because each kit comes with blank treats ready to be decorated, edible paint palettes, paint brushes, and printed instructions. If you’re lucky, perhaps they’ll share the finished product with you. 14663 Orchard Parkway, Unit 400, Westminster

Eagle Creek Explore Sling Pack

If your giftee isn’t quite ready to join the fanny pack brigade (or if they already have a closet full of them), then the 11-liter Sling Pack ($99) from Eagle Creek’s new-this-year Explore collection is just the thing. It’s big enough to carry a 13-inch laptop, tablet, and a spare layer or two, plus features two hidden pockets perfect for stashing away a passport or wallet, but it isn’t as cumbersome as a full-size backpack. We also love the way the fully recycled, waxed ripstop polyester develops a patina look over time as a subtle homage to adventures past. Available at Paradise Baggage Company (4442 S. Broadway, Englewood) and other local retailers

A Plant From the Marigold

It’s actually smart to wait until the last minute to purchase this gift—otherwise you risk killing it before the big day. We also won’t deny the perk that is the full-service bar inside this plant shop, in case you need a cocktail to take the edge off your last-minute shopping stress. Scour the shelves at the Marigold in Five Points for the perfect pothos, philodendrons, and cacti for your green-thumbed guy or gal. All you’ll need to do is add a bow. 2721 Welton St.

Tincup Fourteener Bourbon Whiskey

Every year, Tincup—a Denver-based whiskey producer named after a Colorado ghost town—releases a new, limited-edition batch of bourbon ($71). As you might guess, its Fourteener line, now in its third year, is inspired by a different Centennial State mountain; this year’s honoree is Mt. Sneffels. The whiskey has been aged 14 years in white American oak barrels. And you can feel extra good about your purchase because each bottle includes a donation to the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, which is working to preserve these special summits. Available at area liquor stores

YoColorado Apparel

With headquarters and a retail shop in historic Golden, YoColorado has the inside scoop on Colorado style. We’re partial to the vintage vibes on their Epic Fader puffer hooded vest ($165) and the cozy, color-blocked Verve Grid fleece hoodie ($78), but if your recipient prefers the saddle to the sofa, opt for the limited-edition Western Coors Banquet collab plaid tech shirt ($64). 805 12th St., Golden

Friend Assembly Mood Swing Mug

Spending uninterrupted time with your loved ones during the holidays can induce a rollercoaster of emotions—sometimes right at the Thanksgiving table. But this cheeky mug ($32) from Friend Assembly can help you navigate sticky holiday conversations with a bit of subtlety. When your mother-in-law makes a snide remark about how much pie you’ve eaten, rotate the mug to show off the irritated face. Receive a compliment on your trendy holiday outfit? Flash the cup’s smiling countenance. And if you overcook the turkey, fill up your mug with some mulled wine and flash the frowny face. Available at Stanley Marketplace (2501 Dallas St., Aurora)

Vinyl Me, Please Record-of-the-Month Club Membership

Monthly memberships are gifts that keep on giving well after the garland goes back to the attic. Denver’s Vinyl Me, Please offers a record-of-the-month club for one-, three-, six-, or 12-month terms (starting at $54 per month). The best part: Your music-loving pal can choose from three different records across the hip-hop, “essentials,” and jazz/funk/blues/soul genres or go rogue and pick a known favorite if they’re not feeling Vinyl Me’s selections. Available online

Denver Museum of Nature & Science Animals of the Rainforest Exhibit Ticket

If you have a friend whose love language is quality time, consider gifting an experience this year, like tickets to the new Animals of the Rainforest exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (general admission starts at $26 for adults, but get a $1 discount at peak times if you buy online; members get in free). The immersive exhibition allows visitors to encounter the jungle’s rich biodiversity up close with a collection of live animal encounters (including JJ, the two-toed sloth), recreated natural habitats, and family-friendly photo-ops with durable (read: climbable) animal structures. It’s open now through January 19, 2025—and you can print the tickets at home before you run out the door. 2001 Colorado Blvd.

Restaurant Olivia’s Cooking Classes

You may not be able to surprise your sister with a plane ticket to Sicily, but this just might be the next best thing. Let the experts at the Michelin-recommended Restaurant Olivia in Wash Park teach her the art of pasta making during the monthly two-hour sessions. Chef, co-owner, and so-called “pasta whisperer” Ty Leon will share his top techniques and key ingredients for pulling together an authentic Italian meal. The eatery’s small group classes (starting at $125) are beginner friendly, and attendees leave with fresh pasta and a jar of house-made pasta sauce. (There are also monthly wine education classes, led by one of the few Italian wine ambassadors in Colorado.) 290 S. Downing St.

Colorado-Made Goods from the Foothills Art Center Holiday Art Market

When you need a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift that shows how much you love and cherish someone—and you need it now—hit up the annual Holiday Art Market at Foothills Art Center in Golden where you’ll find more than 3,000 artisan-made items like handmade pottery and bespoke ornaments. Shopping past the 11th hour? No problem. This seasonal bazaar is open through December 29. 1133 Arapahoe St., Golden