A Few of My Favorite Things: Shopping Local This Holiday Season

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As the holidays approach, I often find myself daydreaming of local Christmas shopping that mirrors that of a Netflix holiday movie. In this dream, I leisurely stroll around town through mom-and-pop shops carrying festive bags. In the background, my children are behaving and playing harmoniously. I glance down and place checkmarks by everyone’s name on my list. Each magically written in script font.

In reality, it’s probable my list is illegibly scribbled on the back of my son’s artwork somewhere. Oh, and the perfectly behaving children part? Not so much.

The good news is, there is one piece that can mirror reality. The shopping local part. Thankfully, with so many impressive small businesses in the Springs, supporting local is pretty easy.

Where to begin? The following guide provides a few local favorites as a starting point.

Heartshake Studios

Step into Heartshake Studios to fulfill all of your beautiful boho hopes and wishes. This artist-owned space began as an Etsy shop and blog, which eventually transformed into the owner’s brick-and-mortar dream store and studio. Located in Old Colorado City, peek in to find an eclectic variety of handcrafted products, vintage items, and gorgeous plant displays. Within the mix, you’ll find artist and owner Kit Hutchinson’s own beautiful creations, as well.

Pikes Peak Lemonade

Self-described as a “grown-up lemonade stand,” Pike’s Peak Lemonade set its roots within Colorado’s local farmers markets before growing into the country’s first lemonade taproom. Look no further to find a delicious variety of lemonade, limeade, tea, soda and kombucha options made with fresh ingredients. For the super-lemonade-lover on your list, consider a subscription to their Lemonade Club. It includes weekly or bi-weekly growler deliveries, yum!

Conscious Living Shop

The Conscious Living Shop operates under the mission of promoting environmentally focused daily living. You’ll find a myriad of sustainable products, ranging from bath-and-body goods and kitchenware to earth-friendly kid and pet items. As a bonus, your gift-receiver can return to continue enjoying bulk household refill options all year.

Ladyfingers Ladypress

Located downtown, Ladyfingers Ladypress is a unique, award-winning print shop. Their intent is to make a difference by supporting underrepresented communities and sustainable practices. Within the vast variety of gift options, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of beautifully crafted cards, prints and stationery that will make you want to start writing letters to a pen pal via snail-mail again.

Eclectic CO.

This lovely cooperative retail space houses a unique collection of goods created by artisans and makers from along the Front Range. Three years ago, Eclectic CO. began as a holiday pop-up. It has since grown to include a flagship store downtown, as well as a second location in Old Colorado City. You’ll find a vast selection of gorgeous handmade jewelry, apparel, a variety of home goods, and unique children’s items.

Yobel

By partnering with artisans and makers around the world, Yobel seeks to provide globally sourced, fair-trade, sustainable items. The intention? Empowering impoverished groups worldwide. Within Yobel, you’ll find a collection of beautifully made, mindful products which include clothing, shoes and accessories sure to please anyone on your list.

Rocky Mountain Soap Market

Who doesn’t love a luxurious bath? For all things bath-and-body, check out Rocky Mountain Soap Market. This place just might be the best smelling shop in town. With fun Colorado-themed soap options including Telluride Trail, Salida Sunrise, and my personal favorite, Garden of the Gods Clover, look no further for a delightful selection of sudsy items even your pickiest pamperer will love.

COS Local Breweries

For the beer lover on your list, give the gift of locally brewed bliss! Many of our local breweries, including Goat Patch, Cerberus, Red Leg, Trinity Brewing and Bristol Brewing offer gift cards and swag sure to impress your favorite beer snob.

By shopping local, we cultivate our community and help maintain the unique identity of our very cool town.

This list is by no means complete. Do you have a favorite? If so, please share!

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Paras
Paras is an Iranian American, born in Tehran and raised in Texas. She is now pleased to call Colorado home. She is the mother of two rambunctious boys, a wife to an equally rambunctious husband (genetics!) and a pediatrician. Paras attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and went on to complete her pediatric residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Her special interests include childhood advocacy, healthcare education, and she absolutely loves working with new parents. After having children of her own, she quickly realized that raising kiddos was not as straightforward as many pediatric medical texts or parenting books might imply! She has found it extremely fulfilling to navigate the challenging, yet rewarding world of being a working mom alongside her patients and peers. In her spare time, Paras enjoys hiking, embroidery and is an aspiring yogi on the journey to attaining and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.