Colorado-Made Holiday Gifts Under $20 for Business Pros

With the holiday season in full swing, many professionals are thinking about finding the perfect holiday gifts for bosses, clients and colleagues. Since the Colorado business scene is known for its progressive approach, innovative products and entrepreneurial spirit, nothing reflects the business climate of the gift-giving season quite like Colorado-made products.

Colorado Proud, a program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, promotes food and agricultural products grown, raised or processed in Colorado and encourages Coloradans to look for the Colorado Proud label when shopping for gifts and meals this holiday season. Purchasing Colorado Proud products supports local business owners and entrepreneurs producing unique, hand-crafted jams, salsas, sweets, alpaca socks, and more.

Below are just a few Colorado Proud holiday gift ideas perfect for bosses, clients and coworkers, and best of all, they are all under $20.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF JAM ($8)

A Different Kind of Jam is produced at Steamer's Coffee House in Arvada. Find more than 10 unique jam flavors including Green Chile and Strawberry Champagne, made with fresh fruits and other local ingredients. The jams make great gifts for colleagues who love a good story. They are made by adults with developmental disabilities, and the Coffee House where the products are sold employs these individuals to empower their independence. You can see their handwritten names on the top of the jam jars so you know exactly who made your special sweet treat.

HELLIEMAE'S CARAMELS ($16)

From vanilla to whiskey to espresso, Helliemae’s caramels appeal to everyone with a sweet tooth. They make their caramels in small batches with the best ingredients: cane sugar, butter, cream, fruit and spices. The best Helliemae's selection in the nation is at The Perfect Petal. They carry the full line and get fresh caramels every week. Check them out in the Highlands at W. 32nd Ave and Lowell Blvd. or you can browse their complete selection online. The caramels make great stocking stuffers and are perfect to display in candy dishes during the holiday season.

PHOENIX FIBER MILL ALPACA SOCKS ($18)

Since 2012, this family of 14 —yes, 14 —has been using Colorado alpaca fiber to create some of the most comfortable and warmest socks around. Perfect to keep your tootsies toasty by the fire during the holiday season, Phoenix Fiber Mill socks are home-spun, alpaca fuzzy fiber. Why alpaca? The breathable “air pocket” characteristics of wool means that sweat doesn’t weigh down your insulation layers, so you can keep your feet dry during those ski trips in the Rocky Mountains.

DOWN DOG SNACKS ($7.99)

If your boss has a furry friend, you’ll warm their heart with this thoughtful gift. As we munch on the many Colorado Proud treats available, our pets also deserve a special treat during the holiday season. Down Dog’s “gourmutt” snacks were created to keep your furry friends happy and healthy during the holidays and year-round. Down Dog Snacks are grain-free, gluten-free and plant-based dog treats. Each treat is baked by hand in small batches with fresh, real, all-natural, human-grade ingredients. Their stocking stuffer products cost $7.99 and Holiday Grab N Go’s are $4.

SPICES AND RUBS FROM BBQ PROVISIONS BY 5280 CULINARY ($10)

‘Tis the season for seasoning! Got a culinary creator in the office? With spices and rubs for BBQ connoisseurs, grilling enthusiasts can taste the grilling season of summer through the holidays. The spices and rubs are prepared by Chef Jason Morse and come in a variety of flavors to perfectly pair with any dish. Each spice is appropriately named for the type of food it’s meant to complement—Cluck for chicken, Garden for vegetarian dishes, Game On rub for Colorado lamb and game. Eight-ounce jars are $10.

BUTTERFLY OUTPOST ESSENTIAL OILS, BALMS AND BODY BUTTERS (from $6)

Any job comes with a little bit of stress and anxiety at times. Calm the chaos with lavender essential oils, balms, and body butters to soothe your frazzled colleagues. Butterfly Outpost is a small, sustainable lavender farm. Flowers including lavender, calendula, roses and chamomile are grown in a high desert region of western Colorado. The carefully picked flowers and herbs are distilled in a handcrafted copper pot using centuries old practices. Their salves, body butters and essential oils are perfect stress-free stocking stuffers. Handmade soaps start out at $6.

COLORADO BLACK DIAMOND SALSA ($7)

Spice up the holidays with Colorado Black Diamond Salsa, a locally-produced and gluten-free product with low sodium, no added sugar, and all natural ingredients. From “Medium Mango” to “Ghost Salsa,” Colorado Black Diamond Salsa offers flavors and spice levels to satisfy any taste bud. Jars cost $7.

RED ROCKS SIGNATURE ALMOND TOFFEE ($14.99)

For the coworker with a serious sweet tooth, Red Rocks Toffee Company satisfies any chocolate craving. Their hand-crafted toffee is buttery, smooth and nutty. Boxes available for $14.99.

REDEMPTION ROAD COFFEE ($15.50)

If your boss or colleague is constantly caffeinated and adores the taste of rich fresh coffee, try Redemption Road’s single origin coffees. One pound bags run about $15.50.

BISTRO COLORADO GIFT CARDS  (Any Amount)

You can never go wrong with a gift card to a delicious farm-to-table restaurant tucked away in the beautiful city of Evergreen. Bistro Colorado uses local ingredients and fine wine pairings in an intimate yet casual setting in a quiet neighborhood. Purchase a $20 gift card for your coworker or boss, providing them with a delicious getaway with friends and family. Gift cards can be purchased for any dollar amount.

Colorado Proud’s Season’s Eatings Holiday Gift Guide features locally-made salsas, jams, culinary seasonings, skincare products, sweets and more. Colorado Proud is highlighting a local product every day through December on its Facebook page, and will feature holiday recipes and videos from Chef Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary. Shoppers can find local products here. Colorado Proud products are made with care and given with care, so start a new holiday tradition: Giving the gift of Colorado Proud! 

Wendy White has been a Marketing Specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture for more than 17 years. She manages the award-winning Colorado Proud program, which encourages consumers, restaurants, schools and retailers to purchase Colorado food and agricultural products.