The holiday gift-giving season is upon us, so we wanted to share a few ways to gift to your loved ones in an environmentally conscious way. Your time, energy, and creativity are just as valued as a store-bought gift.
Give Pre-loved Items
Join your local Buy Nothing group to find gently used items like books, puzzles, and board games. Host or participate in a clothing swap to find new-to-you items to gift.
CAP students at New Vista High School were activated to host their own clothing swap as part of their class action project, and it was a hit! They learned upcycling and repair skills through workshops on natural dyeing and mending. The spirit of reusing, repurposing, and rethinking fashion has taken root at New Vista—proof that small actions can spark lasting change. Check out the full story on our blog.
Make Homemade Treats
If you love spending time in the kitchen, this one is for you! There are endless yummy holiday treats you can offer to your loved ones, including cookies, jams, and bread. Browse Colorado Proud to find local seasonal foods, recipes, and farmers’ markets near you. Check out these mouthwatering holiday recipes: butternut squash casserole, holiday sangria, and smoked pumpkin cheesecake, to name a few.
Give Experiences
For friends and family who love getting outside together, consider gifting tickets to the zoo or passes to state or national parks. Perhaps you have a friend who would love a membership to their local rec center. Maybe your friends who love to go out on the town would appreciate tickets to a local theater. You may know someone who works a labor-intensive job who would be so excited to receive a gift card for a massage. SoKind is a registry for people to register the experiences they are interested in.
Give the Gift of Your Time
Your time is the most valuable thing you can give. How about spending time together to cook your specialty dish or to bake a cake together? You can give the gift of your time and your knowledge if you offer to teach something you are good at: changing a tire or the oil in the car, crocheting, mending clothes, repairing a bike or other gear. Volunteer for a service project near you to give back.
Gift a Seasonal Food Subscription Box
Not only will your local farmers appreciate your support, but your friends will appreciate fresh seasonal produce like onions, squash, kale, carrots, and garlic. With pickup locations across Boulder, Longmont, and Lafayette, The Boulder Farmers Markets curates these Seasonal Subscription Boxes. SNAP/EBT Subscription Boxes are also available.
Craft an Ornament Using Natural Materials
If you come across sticks or pine cones on your next stroll through the park, consider turning them into a holiday craft. With a hot glue gun, yarn, ribbon, and googly eyes, you can enjoy a simple and eco-friendly ornament-making activity for the whole family.
Support Local Artisan and Maker Markets
Artisans and small businesses in your community will be offering goods at these Denver and Boulder holiday markets. You may find handmade knitted beanies, beeswax candles, paintings, pastries, hot cocoa mix, holiday cards, herbs, plants, and so much more. If you or someone you know loves all things birds and birding, check out this Denver Audubon Wings and Wonder Holiday Artisan Market.
Give The Gift of The Outdoors!
Consider donating to Cottonwood Institute to help increase the accessibility of the outdoors to high school and middle school students in the Boulder/Denver area who have never camped out before. If you are inspired by what we are up to, know that every donation will help sponsor a student to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Double your impact with a matching gift for any donation you make by December 31, 2025.
We would also like to spotlight a few amazing local businesses that donate back to Cottonwood Institute as you shop for your friends, family, colleagues, and clients.
14er Watercolor Prints: Check out our 14ers Artwork Store, and buy a print for someone special you hiked a 14er with. 100% of net proceeds directly support our students and programs!
Acova Restaurant in Denver, CO has a pretty amazing kids’ menu. Acova donates $2 for every kids’ menu item purchased to a different charity each month, including Cottonwood Institute!
Maroon Bell Outdoor has an incredible line of leather gloves, flannel shirts, backpacks, beanies, and trucker hats. They will have the perfect gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life.
Moving Mountains Lidl Co. is helping make the world a better place by donating 5% of their sales to support local nonprofits, including Cottonwood Institute!
Patagonia has been making high-quality, ethical clothing and gear for over 50 years. The earth is their only stakeholder, and they are committed to giving 1% back to environmental nonprofits.
