This year, skip the stuff and gift your loved ones delicious experiences instead. We’re talking cocktail classes, wine subscriptions, local food boxes, and tasty tours. While some of these adventures can be mailed across the country, others are meant to be enjoyed right here at home. Either way, these ten ideas are Colorado-focused and sure to please.
And if all else fails, a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant is always appreciated.
Chef’s Tasting Experience at Jovanina’s Broken Italian
Treat someone special to a truly unique dinner at Jovanina’s Broken Italian in LoDo (1520 Blake St.). Every night, the restaurant hosts a chef’s tasting for two people only, at its open kitchen counter. It’s a lovely way to enjoy a fantastic multi-course modern Italian meal and watch all the action. Share it with a loved one by requesting a gift certificate for this experience, or by bringing it as a companion. Reservations are $95 per person with an optional wine pairing for $45 each.
Find an excuse to drink wine with friends this holiday season.
noble riots
Noble Riot Flying Club
Wine lovers will appreciate being a member of Noble Riot’s Flight Club, which is $69 a month and includes discounts on wine classes, as well as food and beverage discounts, complimentary flight sessions, and a few surprises along the way. Sign up online to send the gift to anyone who appreciates all things wine.
Scoop and Scoop Meal Kits
The newest meal kit has arrived, and not only is Joy Rubey’s company based in the Front Range, but the food provided is largely locally sourced, from favorite farmers’ market vendors like Sfoglina, Not Bad Cooks, Hearth Bakery, Five Freedoms Dairy, Björn’s Colorado Honey and more. Each recipe has been designed by a chef and customers can choose from a variety of options. Spade & Spoon also offers a la carte treats to fill those stockings. Be one of the first to enjoy these treats: The company officially launches on November 26, and Spade & Spoon currently makes deliveries to the Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins metro area.
Whiskey adventure kit, anyone?
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Boulder Spirits Adventure Kit
For just $45, you can send a loved one on a whiskey-in-a-box tasting adventure. The Boulder Spirits Adventure Kit is a sampler pack of six small bottles of Boulder Spirits whiskey. Also included is an adventure map and a link to a virtual whiskey tasting online. Order a kit online and have it shipped to that lucky gift anywhere in the country.
Local Table Tours has been leading food adventures since 2010.
linnea covington
A Food Adventure from Local Table Tours
Full disclosure: We know this company offers an amazing experience because the writer of this guide occasionally leads some of the tours. However, Local Table Tours is primarily organized by founder Megan Bucholz, who has run the company for over a decade. In fact, it’s the longest-running independent food tour company in Colorado, and Bucholz customizes each tour for specific dates, times, food allergies, and general wishes. Book a tour as a gift for a group of friends, or send a loved one a gift card to any of the games in Boulder, Fort Collins or Denver. Each tour includes numerous food and drink tastings, recommendations, and lots of information about the area you are touring. Prices start at $95 per person and no one goes hungry.
Give a cake kit this holiday season.
my creation studio
Cake Kits My Make Studio
Started in 2015 by Linda Sudowski, kids and adults alike can treat themselves to a freebie from My Make Studio, offering fantastic cupcake and cake kits for $59.99. The best part: each one can be sent directly to the recipient, whether they’re grandparents, grandkids, or your best friend’s twins. Each kit comes with a video tutorial, so it’s not only fun, but easy. There are many options, from a cheeseburger pie and flower cupcakes to zoo animal cupcakes. Kits can be shipped anywhere in the country or picked up at Painted Tree Boutique (251 West 104th Avenue in Northglenn).
Subscription to the cult of Postino wine
Treat someone special all year long with a Wine Club Membership from Postino WineCafe. Members receive two cases of two wines, each with information about what they are drinking and tasting notes from the company’s advanced sommelier, Brent Karlicek. Plus, if you order the $150 two-quarter subscription now through December 31, a limited-edition print from Hamster Labs is included, as well as a $50 credit toward Postino WineCafe locations and other monthly offers.
Tasting the world of Belgian beers at Bruz Beers
For just $30, you can send someone to Belgium over the beer with a two-and-a-half hour guided tasting at any of Bruz Beers locations (1675 West 67th Avenue and Bruz Off Fax at 1495 York Street). The tasting usually takes place from 11 am to 1:30 pm on the first Saturday of each month and focuses on the eighteen main styles of Belgian beers. Expect to try around a dozen, all while learning about the history and background of the drinks. Register online or by calling the brewery at 303-650-2337. And if your giftee loves it, treat them to the follow-up course, World of Sour Beers, which explores Belgian, German and American sour beer styles.
Shortbread cookies at Süti & Co.
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Give a little Hygge from Süti + Co
Is hygge an experience or a state of mind? It’s hard to pin down the Nordic idea, but with a box of fresh shortbread from Süti + Co, a Scandinavian-style cafe and shop in Boulder, we’re not going to be picky. Chef Andrea Uzarowski has carefully crafted each seasonal cookie specifically for holiday gifting, and the special flavors will only be available in a limited-edition set. The present features four dozen cookies in a special box made by Scandinavian artist Annie Bailey. Each is $55 and can be ordered online and picked up in store through December 20.
Stranahan’s Cocktail Class
This cocktail class from Stranahan’s is a great way to learn how to work with whiskey. Each ticket costs $77 and in addition to the course includes a welcome cocktail, snacks, whiskey tasting and a gift bag. Also expect to learn about the company, whiskey cocktails in general, and what single malt American whiskey really is. The experience lasts approximately two hours and can be reserved in advance online.