Southwest Contemporary’s 2022 Denver gift guide includes jaw-dropping nature bundles, an in-the-thick-of-it-all staycation, and more.
As Denver continues its emergence from pandemic restrictions, brick-and-mortar retail has once again begun to flourish in the Mile High City. With the gifting season quickly approaching, it’s time to shop for all the goodies that make the season of giving so exciting! From the family sorceress to white elephant gifts your coworkers will fight over, this year’s list brings out Denver’s organic flair with a hint of quirky appeal.
Bulk Apothecary
From agrimony to yerba santa, RitualCravt offers ethically sourced provisions to assist in any spiritual process. From the most discerning of herbalists to those new to getting into otherworldly connections, these shelves offer a wide array of options—even if you’re just looking to grab some catnip for a furry familiar. The collection of locally sourced goods is vast, so take your time while you explore. You’ll find tarot decks, art, candles, body care, and much more. Available at 7700 West 44th Avenue, Unit 1, Wheat Ridge. 303-458-1459.
Preserved Miniworlds
Choose your own curiosity and vibe for these stunning nature bundles, or grab from curated options with hand-selected fresh florals that preserve nicely and offer a scintillating conversation piece for any tabletop. The Terrorium Shop is a collaboration between Ian and Amber—a taxidermist and a gardener, respectively—who combined their interest in preservation and their different skill sets to create unique pieces showcasing the processes of decay and regrowth. Available at 4416 Yates Street, Denver. 720-630-8758.
Staycation or Vacation
Looking to get away from the everyday grind? Trying to convince your photography-obsessed family members to visit? The Curtis is the perfect spot for a unique stay that offers Instagram-worthy photo-ops from the lobby to its pop-culture-inspired rooms. The boutique hotel puts you right in the middle of Denver’s hotspots, and as an added bonus, it’s a hop, skip, and jump to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The gift shop also offers one of the grooviest retro collections of treats and games. Book a stay at 1405 Curtis Street, Denver. 303-571-0300.
Books, Comics, Vinyl, and More
Mutiny Information Cafe is no stranger to the pandemic disruptions faced by many small businesses, and even after a massive hiccup with the City of Denver threatening to close its doors, the cafe is still standing and working its magic on South Broadway. Looking for comic books or maybe a great graphic novel? It’s also the perfect place to snag some vinyl for your favorite melomaniac. Don’t forget to order your most treasured caffeinated pick-me-up while perusing. 2 South Broadway, Denver. 303-778-7579.
Threads
BE A GOOD PERSON is no stranger to the Denver streetwear scene with the simple but meaningful message reflected in its name. There are options for adults and kids as well as collaborative pieces with local artists like Detour, and yes, there’s even an extensive Denver Broncos collection for the football fan you know and love. As part of the “Kickoff Collection,” BE A GOOD PERSON and the Broncos plan to donate art supplies to all twenty locations of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Available at 1360 27th Street Denver.
Sustainably Create
ReCreative Denver collects and redistributes donations of used materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Proceeds from the resale help fund ReCreative’s arts programming as well as supply free creative materials and workshops to the community. Not only can you shop for sustainable supplies to give to your favorite creatives, but you can also fork over some of your own gently or unused artsy goodies, volunteer, or make a donation that can enable this organization to grow and flourish in the Denver community. Available at 765 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. 720-638-3128.
