Give Much & Get Merry
Our annual gift guide is back and cheerier than ever! See what the CH&L staff—and notable folks about town—are wrapping up and wishing for this season.
Elaine St. Louis, CH&L, Art Director
Wrapping up: “I’ll be giving gift baskets of Hacienda Maize Jammin’ Jelly and Women’s Bean Project treats. This tasty combo is a meal that keeps on giving: not only are both made in Colorado, but Women’s Bean Project helps nourish lives by employing women in poverty.” $40, haciendamaize.com,
womensbeanproject.com
Wishing for: “I am not much of a jewelry person, but I changed my mind when I saw this amazing piece. Todd Reed has redefined diamonds to celebrate the ‘perfect geometry’ found in the natural, uncut stone.” $4,840, toddreed.com
Jennifer Williams, CH&L, Publisher
Wrapping up: “My husband found a watch that he loves by Bell & Ross during our engagement trip. He needs something durable that makes a statement when worn with jeans and a t-shirt, and this one fit the requirements. The design and materials are perfect for him.” $3,700, hydeparkjewelers.com
Wishing for: “I would love to have this Kalahari Writing Desk by Theodore Alexander—it’s so glamorous and unique. I spend a lot of time working and think I’d be inspired by something so special!” $4,298, coloradostyle.com
Nancy Brown, CH&L, Account Director
Wrapping up: “The Shun Fuji collection of knives from Williams-Sonoma is the perfect gift to give my son, an executive chef, who tells me there’s no more important tool in the kitchen than an exquisite knife. These might even get me a few more cooking lessons!” $1,499, williams-sonoma.com
Wishing for: “At the end of the day, I’d love to fall asleep in a bed adorned with this gorgeous Visalia Collection duvet set from Ashley Campbell. Sweet dreams, indeed!” $79-$1,199, ashleycampbell.com
Noelle Hernandez, Interior Designer
Wrapping up: “I love to give flowers, hoping they bring the same happiness to the recipient as I feel when someone sends them to me. When I want to give something that lasts longer than four or five days, however, Bob’s Flower Shop Reed Diffuser Kit No. 13 by Trapp & Company is just the gift. One kit lasts four to six months and has the most wonderful scent.” $42, amenwardy.com
Wishing for: “I love to receive flowers. They make me feel special. My favorites are calla lilies; they’re so beautiful and fragrant and bring a smile to my face every time I look at them or catch a whiff of their scent.” $140, sashae.com
Bertha Lynn, News Anchor, Denver’s 7NEWS
Wrapping up: “I love the wide variety of quality gourmet foods at Tony’s Market, so I’ll be giving my friends gift cards. That way, they can select their favorite torrone, olives, steaks or a beautiful dessert.” tonysmarket.com
Wishing for: “Denver has such a rich cultural scene that it would be heaven to be a member of all of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Tier 1 organizations—the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. I love to browse the gift shops too!” Starting at $45 for individual, scfd.org
Lon Symensma, Chef/Owner, ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro
Wrapping up: “I’m a fan of Il Mondo Vecchio’s Chinese Sausage because it’s very authentic and it’s a local product. That’s what I am trying to do at my restaurant, ChoLon—share the authentic flavors of Asia while using local ingredients. I’m excited to introduce this delicacy to my friends.” Starting at $23/lb., mondovecchio.net
Wishing for: “I’m new to Colorado, and it only seems right that I should know how to ski. I can’t imagine anything cooler than learning on a pair of skis handmade in Denver.” $599, icelanticboards.com
Kenn Seaman, CH&L, Account Director
Wrapping up: “Enstrom’s Toffee! This Grand Junction-based company has the science of making great toffee down to an art—I love this stuff. I can never resist grabbing a little something for myself when placing a gift order.” Starting at $19.95, enstrom.com
Wishing for: “I’ve always enjoyed receiving the gift of an experience, like tickets to a Red Rocks concert or Avalanche game, or to ride the Georgetown train or Pike’s Peak Cog Railway with my young daughters. A gift that’s an experience can be shared with others to make lasting memories. Priceless.
Emily Kaiser, CH&L, Advertising Art Production Manager
Wrapping up: “I’d like to give this VITRA tripod clock to my roommate in hopes she might nestle it somewhere in our living room. A little self-serving? Yes, but it’s so pretty, I think she might forgive me.” $360, modlivin.com
Wishing for: “I discovered Molly Wizenberg as a regular columnist for my second-favorite magazine, Bon Appetit (first being CH&L, of course). Her cookbook, A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, is guaranteed to transport me and make me hungry!” $15, tatteredcover.com
Joanne Smith, CH&L, Account Director
Wrapping up: “My sister and I grew up in Santa Fe and there were always one-of-a-kind treasures under our tree, so I’m always looking for that special something to give her. I recently moved to Denver and when I walked into 5 Green Boxes, this cherub stole my heart! I hope she loves it as much as I do.” $135, 5greenboxes.com
Wishing for: “I am a lover of blue and white, and anything antique or unique…then if it’s art, well it has me at ‘hello.’ Santa would strike platinum this year if he found Tam O’Neill Fine Arts gallery and this series of original watercolor studies for blue and white porcelain.” $800-$1,200, tamoneillfinearts.com
Caroline Eberly, CH&L, Senior Editor
Wrapping up: “Lately, I’ve been crazy about chevron patterns. So I’d like to spread the love and give one of these fun, graphic zig zag throws, made of baby alpaca wool, to everyone I know.” $295, jonathanadler.com
Wishing for: “I’m vowing to lug a backpack no more when I bike to work or around town. This nifty leather bag by Zimbale is the perfect solution for riding in style and carrying the essentials.” $79, teabike.com
Mary Abel, CH&L, Editor in Chief
Wrapping up: “I love giving good wine—it’s always received well and Colorado wine has really come into its own. Sutcliffe Vineyard’s Rosé is light and fruity, sure to please a wide range of palates.” $240/case, sutcliffewines.com
Wishing for: “I spent my teenage years in Houston, where owning a pair of cowboy boots was practically a state law. I adore them but haven’t owned a pair in years. What better way to reintroduce them to my wardrobe than with a custom-made pair, handcrafted right here in Denver.” Starting at $1,700, ghostriderboots.com
Tracy Weil, Artist/Web Designer
Wrapping up: “I’m planning on giving the first edition of the Denver County Fair Cookbook to all my friends and family. It’s a Colorado product and features several of the blue-ribbon-winning recipes, as well as topics with an urban twist like composting and urban foraging.” $19.95, denvercountyfair.org
Wishing for: “I’m hoping to receive chocolate from the Chocolate Crisis Center! I especially like the Candy Apple Caramels, but how fun are these Holiday Blues peppermint creams?” $16.95, chocolatecrisiscenter.com
Megan Small, CH&L, Marketing Coordinator
Wrapping up: “Forget the fruitcake. l’ll be giving original rum cakes from Rum Cakes by Kelli to
everyone this year. I am not much of a sweets person but it takes all my willpower to not eat the entire cake in one sitting.” $39.95 for 9-inch cake, rumcakesbykelli.com
Wishing for: “I love the original jewelry at Brittney Lynn in Denver’s Larimer Square, and I’m really hoping for this funky necklace by Denver-based designer Kathryn Giarratano. It’s the perfect piece to add sass to any outfit.” $78, brittneylynn.com
