Spread holiday cheer with 12 great presents made for\or created right in Colorado. We’re talking about a sweet-smelling candle gift from a Denver deli, a local writer’s photo-forward cookbook, and festive spirits great for sharing.
Bonus, twice a week until Christmas DiningOut will be hosting giveaways from this list, starting December 1. Follow along our Instagram feed to find out how to win.
Leven Deli’s Famous Brownie in Candle Form
We all know Leven’s brownie is a masterpiece featuring rich chocolate studded with malted milk cookies and drizzled with tahini for a nutty sesame flavor. Now, Denverites can enjoy it in candle form. The non-edible treat is made in partnership with local artisan candlemaker Wooly Wax, and the 100% soy candle captures the scent notes of this dessert.
Wooly Wax owner Rachel Woolcott was a chef for 20 years and her culinary knowledge of how scent and taste intertwine helps her bring complex flavors to life. Candles are available to purchase at Leven Deli or Leven Supply or online at eatleven.com. Candles are $28 for the eight-ounce size, and $38 for 16-ounce candles. Leven and Wooly Wax also offer a fresh-baked bread candle in eight-ounce ($28) and four-ounce ($16) sizes. Leven Deli, 123 W. 12th Ave., Denver; Leven Supply, 300 E. Alameda Ave. Unit D, Denver, eatleven.com
Branch & Barrel’s Exclusive 6-Year Cask-Strength Single Barrel Bourbon
If you have a whiskey fan in your life, then the Centennial-based Branch & Barrel has the perfect gift. To make the 6-year cask-strength single barrel bourbon, each barrel is hand-selected by the distillery’s master blender. They’re looking for exceptional richness, flavor, and mouthfeel, all offering a distinct expression shaped by locally grown grain, barrel, craft, and nature. It’s a special release for collectors and enthusiasts, retailing for $70 per bottle and available in liquor stores across Colorado and at the distillery. 15353 E. Hinsdale Cir., Centennial, babdistilling.com
Local Author’s Cookbook: The Phone Eats First
Support local cookbook author Allyson Reedy by gifting her latest tome, The Phone Eats First Cookbook: 50 of Social Media’s Best Recipes to Feed Your Feed . . . and Then Yourself. It’s a whimsical collection of some of Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook’s most photographable dishes, all with recipes so you can make your own. We’re also giving away a signed copy of her book, so tune into DiningOut Denver’s own social media to win.
Reedy is also the author of 50 Things to Bake Before You Die: The World’s Best Cakes, Pies, Brownies, Cookies, and More from Your Favorite Bakers, 30 Breads to Bake Before You Die: The World’s Best Sourdough, Croissants, Focaccia, Bagels, Pita, and More from Your Favorite Bakers, and her first novel, Mrs. Wilson’s Affair: A Great Gatsby Retelling.
Cocktail Mixers by Strongwater
Spread cheer through each cup by adding a dash of Colorado-brewed bitters and drink syrups. Strongwater has been making award-winning products since 2014, and the company just released a new sample set of both the bitters and the syrups.
For the bitters, the four-bottle set runs $24.95 and includes aromatic, black walnut, cherry, and orange. Each can be used in various cocktails, or even to spruce up a glass of sparkling water. The Old Fashioned Syrup Sampler Set also comes with four bottles including the classic, maple pecan, smoked, and espresso. It runs $25.95 and makes approximately 16 cocktails. Order online, or pick up in local specialty markets.
Spirit Hound Distillers’ Peppermint Café Colorado
Are you looking for the ultimate stocking-stuffer spirit? This local tipple by Spirit Hound is the perfect holiday treat. After all, the Peppermint Café Colorado features bold coffee, silky vanilla, and cool mint wrapped into one delicious pour. Enjoy it neat or in a cocktail for a delightfully nostalgic holiday treat. Each bottle retails for $30, and you can pick it up at Spirit Hound Distillers in either the original Lyons location or at the LoHi tap room. It’s also available around town at select shops, find it near you using this link. 4196 Ute Hwy., Lyons; 3622 Tejon St., Denver, spirithounds.com
Denver Macaron Holiday Gift Box
For the upcoming holiday, Denver Macaron created the 12 Days of Macarons gift box, priced at $50. It features festive limited-edition flavors including chocolate hazelnut, peppermint chocolate, and banana walnut. Also try some of the classic signature options such as spiced horchata, raspberry almond, pistachio, and toasted coconut. To sweeten the deal, 10% of every box sale will be donated to the Denver Animal Shelter. Order online, and enter to win a box for yourself during our seven days of giveaways, on DiningOut Denver’s Instagram page.
Breckenridge Brewery’s Annual Christmas Ale
Every year Breckenridge Brewery launches an iconic holiday beer, and now the Christmas Ale is back. The rich winter warmer gets brewed with roasted malts, giving the beer notes of caramel and chocolate, which are balanced with a touch of spice from Chinook and Mt. Hood hops. This year, Christmas Ale comes in a pack of 15, but costs the same as a 12 pack, or about $18 depending on where you buy it. You can find the beer all across the state at most liquor stores.
Bonus, to spread the spirit even further, Breckenridge Brewery launched the Ice Deck Fan Experience Sweepstakes, giving fans 21+ the chance to score four tickets for seats right on the glass for the Colorado Avalanche home game against Calgary on March 30, 2026, with all food and drinks included.
Union Stitch & Design Apron
Channel your favorite local chef by donning an apron by said local chefs’ favorite apron company. We’re talking about Union Stitch & Design, started by designer Melissa Roth 10 years ago. Local chef customers include Dana Rodriguez of Carne and Work & Class, Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja, and recently Tommy Lee and Michael Diaz de Leon of Molino Chido, which just opened in the Stanley Marketplace.
Each custom-made apron comprises 9-ounce canvas and 100% cotton webbing straps. They run $50 a piece, and you can order online and pick up at Roth’s studio in Denver (by appointment). The small company also will host a holiday pop up at the studio on December 6 from 12 to 4 p.m. 1255 W. Virginia Ave., Denver, unionstitchanddesign.com
Colorado-Themed Puffin Drinkwear
While technically Puffin Drinkwear isn’t based in Colorado, we can’t ignore the Centennial State line up. For those who don’t know, Puffin makes coats, hoodies, and shirts for your cans. That’s right, it’s the ultimate can sleeve meant to keep your drink cold and your hands warm. They also sit up, so you can put it on the table without worrying the beer, soda, or wine will tip over. The Colorado collection features a flannel, fur-trimmed jacket, hoodie, life vest, and more. Prices start at $16.95, and can be purchased online.
The Gift of Baked Goods From Rebel Bread
With so many great experiential gifts found at Rebel Bread, we’re breaking the rules and adding a prepaid card to the holiday line up. From the Bread of the Month Club to the new baking school, we’re excited about what’s going on at this South Broadway bakery. Plus, Rebel Bread has offered a $50 gift card to our readers as part of the seven gifts of December.
The upcoming 2026 class calendar hasn’t been fully released yet, but we do know a Pasta & Gossip, Super Fluffy Focaccia, and Sourdough at Home courses will be part of the line up. Classes for the winter sessions will be up by mid-December, so check online and follow along on social media. 675 S. Broadway, Suite 600, Denver, rebelbreadco.com
Half-Gallon of Hot Sauce From Sauce Leopard
Personally, I already bought one of these for my hot-sauce-loving son since Colfax Killer is one of his favorites of all time. For those who also have heat-seeking friends and family, nothing says “happy holidays and I love you,” than a half-gallon of sensory overload.
Sauce Leopard founders Shaun and Michael Goodwin started the company in 2020. Since then they have built a following thanks to showing up at farmers’ markets, festivals, and even our own wing competition one summer. Bottles of hot sauce run about $11, but a half-gallon is $50 and is the equivalent of buying 12.5 single bottles. Order the goods online, you can still get it before Christmas.
Presidential Book Bundle by Adrian Miller
Colorado’s own Soul Food Scholar and presidential kitchen historian Adrian Miller came out with a new book this year, Cooking to the President’s Taste. This tome covers Asian chefs in the White House, which Miller co-authored with Deborah Chang. It’s the second book he has written about presidential chefs, the first covering Black cooks. Get both this season for $60 and double up on some positive and informative White House coverage.
