The 10 Best Colorado Gifts for Less Than $25

No need to break the bank this holiday season because a little goes a long way with these gifts. From handcrafted soaps and candles to fresh-pressed cocktail mixers to Colorado-proud wall decor, we’re confident there is something for everyone on your list. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Custom Fat Head-On-a-Stick
Photo courtesy of Etsy

Obviously, we can’t mention fat heads without going into detail. From the brain of Westminster resident and Etsy shop owner Tim Osbourn comes the signage you didn’t know you needed: your pal’s face on a stick. Exactly what it sounds like, Osbourne’s custom creation is perfect for graduation ceremonies, performances, sports contests, and everyday decor. Just send in a photo, and Osbourne will print it to your desired size with quarter-inch foam board backing and a stick. Pricing starts at $21, depending on size. Available online

Colorado Real Soap Company Wildcrafted Bliss Salve for Hands + Paws
Photo courtesy of the Colorado Real Soap Company

There is no doubt about it: Mile-high air comes with its disadvantages, including dry and cracked skin. The folks at Colorado Real Soap in Crested Butte set to work solving this problem and came up with their Bliss Salve ($18–$23), a completely edible and preservative-free solution that uses seed butters, oils, and natural waxes to hydrate and restore skin. And the best part? It works on dog paws, too. 318 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte; 970-209-6732

Akinz I Just Wanna Ride Bikes Tee
Photo courtesy of Akins

It’s a rarity to find a single T-shirt that encapsulates Denver residents so well, so please accept this $1-over-the-limit gift idea from Fort Collins-based Akinz. Available in six sizes and a couple of colors, the supersoft tri-blend cotton t-shirt ($26) is printed in the shop and available for shipping. But really, we’re here for the message. Biking, beers, and cuddles? Count us in. 15 Old Town Square, Ste. 132, Fort Collins; 970-682-1750

Alpinecho Campfire Constellations Water Bottle
Photo courtesy of Alpinecho

Everyone needs a good water bottle, but the beautiful design on this Nalgene takes it a notch above the rest. Designed by local artist Sarah Dielle Anderson, the intricate wrap-around art features a series of constellations alongside mountains, forests, and even a little wildlife. Also, it’s printed on a Nalgene Sustain bottle, an eco-friendly alternative made from recycled single-use bottles—so you can feel good about gifting it, too. Find the bottle ($25) online or wherever Fort Collins-based Alpinecho products are sold. Available online

Best tent camping Colorado
Photo courtesy of Menasha Ridge Press

Give the gift of the outdoors with this newly released guide to camping in the Centennial State. Written by Monica Stockbridge, Best tent camping ($16.95) details 50 great car campgrounds in national parks, state parks, and more. She rates all the sites on criteria like beauty, privacy, safety, and even cleanliness. And of course, the book comes with full-color photos so you know exactly what to expect for your evening under the stars. Available online

mountainflow eco-wax Hot Wax
Photo courtesy of mountain flow

Help your favorite skier become more environmentally friendly with some easy-on-nature hot wax from Carbondale’s mountainflow. Historically, ski wax has been packed with toxic chemicals that slough off onto the snow and eventually into our water. Not so with mountainflow eco-wax, which is completely plant-based and without any petroleum products. The Hot Wax ($19.95) is totally biodegradable and non-toxic, so it’s a great gift for skiers—and the planet. Available online and in various retailers

Cocktail Caravan Fresh-Pressed Cocktail Mixers
Photo courtesy of Cocktail Caravan

Special holiday beverages always taste better with handcrafted ingredients. At least, that’s the idea behind Cocktail Caravan’s fresh-pressed mixers ($16), which are made with love in their kitchen in Boulder. They offer a number of options from Desert Sage to Poco Picante and even a Coin-style Margarita, but plan in advance. The kitchen is open for limited hours, and pick-up is available by appointment only. 2825 Wilderness Place, Boulder; 720-598-2997

Big Ass Maps by Emily
Photo courtesy of Etsy

It doesn’t matter if you’re giving a gift to someone who’s lived here for a month, a year, or their entire life. Help them feel welcome—or stoke their long-lasting pride—with a memorable drawing by Denver artist Emily Burrows. She details iconic buildings like Casa Bonita, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, Herb’s Hideout, and the Church Nightclub ($18 each), so you’re sure to find something special in her Etsy shop, but she’s up for personal commissions, too. Available online

Bluecorn Beeswax Pure Beeswax Pillar
Photo courtesy of Bluecorn

Candles are always a good idea. Crafted by the folks at Bluecorn in Montrose, these ethereal pillars use 100 percent pure beeswax, which is better for the environment and has no chemical compounds. The candles are available in a number of colors and sizes (starting at $10); no scent options, but that doesn’t matter because the sweet smell of honey is the absolute best. 1842 S. Townsend Avenue, Montrose; 888-350-4929

Coloradical Colorado Patch
Photo courtesy of Coloradical

We’re not sure when it happened, but patches are definitely cool again. Help your giftee represent the Centennial State with this iron-on representation of our mountains majesty and flag’s colors. The patch ($5) is two inches wide, so it fits on anything from a backpack to a pair of jeans or a sweatshirt, but there are no rules when it comes to Mile High flair. Available online