Made in Colorado: A 2022 Gift Guide

'Tis the season to support our Colorado community, so we're rounding up our favorite local gift ideas!

As East Coasters who started our careers in New York City, one of the questions we get most often is why we moved to Colorado. In short, we fell in love with the uniquely collaborative community of entrepreneurs in our adopted state, and we’re proud to champion the clients, brands and organizations that inspire us, year after year.

This made-in-Colorado gift guide is a tribute to that community—and to the businesses and products we personally will be gifting to our nearest and dearest this holiday season.

Home + Design Gifts

Over the past year, we’ve had the chance to collaborate with two bar-setting retail businesses: Hygge Life in Vail and Modern Folklore in Louisville. What we love about both of these concepts is their intentional approach to curating lifestyle items that encourage more meaningful everyday moments.

In the case of Hygge Life, you’ll find design-forward, Scandinavian-made (or inspired!) objects that channel the coziest, most elegant aspects of mountain living—and you can even shop their showroom online.

At Modern Folklore, you’ll discover hand-crafted wares—and in-person events!—with an emphasis on fostering connection with (and within) the local artisan community.

Seasonal Sweets

At Süti & Co. in Boulder, you’ll find buttery Danish shortbreads by the dozen, as well as a limited edition cookie box featuring 65 bite-sized cookies in a custom holiday box. (We’re flattered to have inspired two of the cookies in said box—Chef Andrea’s ode to the “family” supporting the opening of her first retail store.)

Further south, in Parker, Poulette Bakeshop’s holiday line-up includes Alsatian manelé (little brioche men), gingerbread, bûche de Noël (yule log cake), panettone and seasonal flavors of their signature macarons. We first met chefs Carolyn and Alen in the kitchen via our work for Edible Denver, and there are few places in Colorado where you’ll find such artful takes on French and European pastry.

Ideas for Adventurers

Coloradans are known for loving all kinds of adventure gear—and rightly so, considering our all-season approach to the outdoors. This year, we’re getting back to basics with two of our favorite new finds:

Crafted by Denver-based product designer Will Dobkin, the Canu is a modern version of the timeless canteen whose slim, hands-free style makes on-the-go hydration easier than ever. Two details we love: a neoprene sleeve that doubles as a pocket (for your phone, keys and other small essentials) and eco-friendly straps crafted from repurposed climbing rope or recycled water bottles. It’s our go-to for neighborhood walks, shorter hikes and even snowshoe trails!

As for where to adventure next, you might think it’s easy to find a great campground—and you would be mistaken. Thankfully, our dear friend (and Denver native) Monica Stockbridge recently updated the guide to the Best Tent Camping in Colorado. We’ve witnessed this labor of love over the past few years, and can’t wait to read the highlights from her trips to lesser-known corners of our gorgeous state.

Giving Back

Each holiday season, we choose a handful of charities to support as an act of gratitude for the abundance of the past year. Typically, we support organizations that are based in Colorado, though their efforts often have impacts across the globe.

In 2022, we had the opportunity to partner with one such organization—Day by De—serving children in impoverished regions of Zambia. Their school gardens and chicken farms provide nourishing meals—and an incentive to keep students in school—while teaching life-long skills that can provide meaningful, sustainable income to local families.

Closer to home, Boulder-based MAD Agriculture specializes in helping farmers transition to organic, regenerative farming practices through a combination of education, strategic community-building and seed capital. We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing founder Phil Taylor for a number of editorial articles and continue to be inspired by MAD’s transformative work.

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While our holiday gift guide comes out just once a year, sharing our favorite Colorado recommendations is an everyday part of our work. Follow us on Instagram at @cognoscenticreative or check out our Denver map for more of our local favorites.