2020 Denver holiday shopping guide!

//Ms. Mayhem’s 2020 gift guide. Illustration by Madison Lauterbach | mlauterbach@gmail.com

This year has been absolutely exhausting, right? We’re right there with you. Small businesses have especially been through the wringer this year. With COVID closures and a lack of stimulus money, many of them, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses, have fallen on really hard times. As an outlet that focuses on these communities, we wanted to give a big shoutout to some of our favorite companies and artists in Denver.

Here at Ms. Mayhem, we would so much rather give gifts than receive them. What a better way to give than to simultaneously support our community?

Many of these companies have come up with innovative ways to bring their products to your doorstep. Some are a mix of in-person and online shopping, while others personally deliver their goods to your front door. We’ve chosen a great variety of items to fit any kind of vibe and budget.

Apparel/Jewelry

 That Sounds Gay– Denver-based online apparel store that opened in 2020. A brand sells t-shirts with LGBTQ+ positive text like, “Sounds gay, I’m in.”

 Sarah O Jewelry– Latinx-owned jewelry, ethically-sourced precious metals and stones. Online shopping. Custom consultations available virtually or in-person.   

 Kim Harrell Silversmith and Jewelry Design– Black and woman-owned shop that sells jewelry with minimalistic designs.  

 Patti and Ricky– Woman-owned store that offers clothing for people of all abilities, including custom accessories for wheelchairs.    

 Judith and Joe– Ethical fashion company that offers women, men, and non-binary clothing.   

 Modern Cherokee– Indigenous woman-owned Etsy page that offers handmade seed bead earrings with a modern twist.   

 Sol Tribe Tattoo– BIPOC woman-owned tattoo and piercing studio that offers a wide range of body jewelry. 

 We Made This– A local employment skills training program for refugee women sells clothing and accessories made by women in the program. For every purchase, 55% of profits go to the woman who made the product. 

 Orr’s Trading Company– Indigenous-owned shop that carries everything from sage to jewelry to animal skulls. 

 Matagi Fine Art– Indigenous artist Matagi (Yavapai-Apache) creates sleek and modern metal jewelry by hand, while his designs draw from traditional motifs rooted in his heritage.  

 Museebumba– Black-owned shop that sells clothing, face masks, framed art prints, water bottles and home goods—all adorned with distinct artwork. 

 Be a Good Person– Black-owned streetwear brand that sells unisex clothing. The company is known for its community-focused mindset and vibrant style.  

 Sleepy Gang– Woman-owned shop that offers fun, cozy leisurewear for women that encourages the art of saying ‘no’ and reserving ones’ energy for empowerment. 

 Midnight Rambler Boutique– Woman-owned shop selling women’s and kid’s apparel, jewelry and pet accessories. 

Home goods and decor

 Ti-A Woven Goods– Black woman-owned business that sells baskets and other woven home goods. Located in Stanley’s Marketplace. 

 The Terrorium Shop– Woman co-owned shop that sells ethically sourced dead things that look pretty!  

 Green Lady Gardens– Woman-owned shop that sells plants of all varieties and pottery from local artists. Gift cards online, plants and pottery in-store. 

 Yellow Door Collective– Black family-owned eco-conscious business. 100% handmade textiles with a strong focus on African-inspired patterns. 

 Studio Colfax– Woman-owned artist-run shop that sells everything from candles and art prints to jewelry and cards. 

 Haley Jo Studios– Local queer artist Hayley Jo creates plushies, embroidery, paintings, jewelry and clothing.  

 Room of Lost Things– LGBTQ+ woman-owned shop that sells some of the “world’s weirdest and most unusual” oddities, curiosities and taxidermy.

 Ninni & Foffa’s– Woman-owned shop selling vintage and upcycled jewelry and home goods. 

Food and beverages

 The Chocolate Therapist– Woman-owned shop offering small and large boxes of chocolate, caramels and toffee. 

 Orenda & Sage– BIPOC woman-owned that specializes in offering hand-crafted organic tea blends and small-batch organic herbal powders. 

 Cheese Meat Board– Woman-owned online shop offering small and large charcuterie boards delivered to your doorstep in the Denver metro area. 

 Wander + Graze– Woman-owned shop offering small and large charcuterie boards, including handheld charcuterie cones. Delivery to the Denver and Boulder areas available, pick up available in Denver. 

 Glow + Gather– BIPOC and woman-owned shop selling infused salts, sugars and spice blends. They also sell all-natural, small-batch personal care products like salves and salt scrubs.  

 Cravings by Drea– Latinx woman-owned online shop offering massively popular hot chocolate bombs with a cute twist. 

 Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant– Black woman-owned Ethiopian restaurant. Orders can be placed online and gift cards available in-store. 

 La Merise French Bistro– Woman-owned restaurant specializing in French cuisine. Outdoor dining and gift cards available in store. 

 Olive & Finch– AAPI woman-owned restaurant offering breakfast, salads and sandwiches. Right now they’re also offering pies and cookie kits for the holidays, including Hanukkah! 

 Potager– Woman-owned restaurant offering small and large plates of local farm-fresh, seasonal food. The restaurant is taking orders through Dec. 18 for Christmas dinners.  

 The Walnut Room– Woman co-owned restaurant serving salads, pizza, sandwiches and specialty cocktails. Outdoor dining available.  

 Work & Class– Latinx woman-owned, this restaurant blends American and Latin flavors in an “approachable, crazy-delicious way.” Gift cards can be purchased online. 

 Bella Macaron– Woman-owned online shop selling single macarons and multipacks ranging from signature flavors to seasonal limited editions.  

 Coffee at the Point– Black-owned coffee shop in the Five Points neighborhood that offers a full menu and beer, wine and cocktails. Outdoor seating available. 

 TeaLee’s Tea Co.– Black woman-owned tea house and bookstore in Five Points offering a variety of chocolate, teas, coffee and sweet treats.  

Services

 Bloom & Noosh– Black-owned floral shop offering hand-crafted bouquets. Located at Matriarch Mercantile. 

 Mile High Glamour– Woman-owned aesthetics studio offering services like micro-needling, waxing and chemical peels. Offering holiday specials. Book online.

 Wild Kitty Waxing– Woman-owned luxury waxing studio that also sells jewelry, personal beauty products and candles. Buy1 Get1 Brazilian Wax specials for new clients. Book online. 

 LIMN Skincare– BIPOC and woman-owned spa offering several services like massage, facials and waxing. Book online. 

 Amazing Pets Care– BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQ+ woman-owned company that offers dog walks, kitty visits and overnight pet sitting. Book online. 

 Sweep Balayage Bar– All female hair salon offering balayage, cuts and other services. We recommend LJ Wolff, a queer woman who specializes in balayage. Book online. 

 Hot Mama’s Exercise– Woman-owned exercise studio offering online live-streamed and on-demand classes. 

 Kali Strength– Woman-owned fitness studio offering in-person classes in groups of four or less. They also offer physical therapy and dry needling. Book online. 

Beauty and wellness

 The Conscious Merchant– Woman-owned shop offering sustainable home products and product refills. All products are ethically sourced. 

 Awakening Boutique– Woman-owned shop slinging sex toys, apparel, art, pins, books and other products from local creators. 

 EngErotics– Black woman-owned online shop that sells “well-engineered intimacy devices” and intimate CBD products. 

 Indigenous Cosmetics– Indigenous-owned makeup company offering super-pigmented powders that complement Indigenous skin tones. 

 Melanin in America– BIPOC woman-owned startup that creates skincare and cosmetics. Right now, Melanin in America is giving out throw pillowcases for free.  

 Color Up– Woman-owned shop that offers lab-tested CBD products for humans and pets, and spa services.  

Libations and Cannabis

 Denver Wine Merchant– Woman co-owned liquor store that offers a wide variety of wine, beer, spirits and to-go cocktail kits for all price points. Easy to use website and a store that makes you feel like you’re at a bar. Free delivery on orders over $50.  

 Mission Control Liquor Store– Immigrant-owned shop that specializes in craft beer, wine and spirits and focuses on “cool space things, science punk vibes and stuff to drink with your pizza.”  

 Simply Pure– Black woman co-owned, this dispensary was founded by two military vets and tireless advocates for the Black community. Co-owner Wanda James is also a former political advisor in the Obama administration. They offer a wide variety of products, including flower, extract, topicals and edibles. They also offer free shipping on orders over $35 on their hemp CBD.

 Roll Up– This Black-owned dispensary carries medicinally-infused topical lotions, creams, and transdermal patches with CBD, CBN and THC, as well as a large selection of edibles, concentrates and flowers. They also have their own extraction lab where they manufacture all of their shatter, wax and hash. 

Miscellaneous

 7Twenty Boardshop– Woman-owned shop that carries skateboards, snowboards, longboards, apparel and accessories. Free shipping on orders over $100.

 Love Always, Orion– LGBTQ+ and woman-owned Etsy shop that sells organic paw and snout balm for your furry friends! Online only. 

 1770 Armory and Gun Club– The first Black-owned gun club in Colorado founded by military vets and pro-2nd Amendment civilians. They also opened a virtual gun range in October, which is a great alternative to traditional gun ranges during a time when the price of ammo has skyrocketed. They offer a wide range of classes for all levels of experience which are available for purchase online.