The perfect present awaits in Loveland. Colorado’s Sweetheart City boasts a slew of unique, locally made options sure to make your loved one feel extra special. Find the perfect gift for your plant-loving mom, your artsy sister and your adventure-seeking bestie, and read on for more fun ideas.
For the Experience Seeker
Grab a gift card to Infinity Slopes and let your loved one ski without battling I-70 traffic. Infinity Slopes features three revolving ski slopes that rotate like a treadmill to provide endless skiing and riding in a climate-controlled environment. Adjustments to speed and incline accommodate all ability levels. Ski “grass” mimics real snow conditions making the transition to indoor skiing easier.
Located just west of Downtown Loveland, at the entrance to Big Thompson Canyon, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is a true getaway. Get even further away with a 1- or 1.5-hour winter horseback ride traversing some of the 3,200-acre property, complete with stunning views and (oftentimes) wildlife spotting. Rides are guided by a professional wrangler and geared to the least experienced rider. Sylvan Dale is picturesque and peaceful during the quiet winter months, making this a gift the keeps giving in the form of heartwarming memories.
Blue Arena at The Ranch Events Complex is a 6,800-seat multipurpose facility that plays host to a variety of family shows, comedy events, concerts, and sporting events, including the Av’s AHL-affiliate Colorado Eagles hockey team, and the Colorado Spartans National Arena League football team. The venue is less than an hour from Denver and Cheyenne, adding to its appeal. In addition to lots of fun hockey games, upcoming events include the Toughest Monster Truck Tour on Jan. 24 and 25, 2025, comedian Jeff Dunham on March 5, 2025, and Cirque de Soleil – CRYSTAL on April 18-20, 2025.
For Plant Lovers
More than a beautiful flower shop, Wild Posies (located in downtown Loveland at 436 N. Cleveland Ave.) sells a variety of house plants, beautiful hand-thrown pots, art prints and jewelry. In December, catch one of the Fresh Holiday Wreath Workshops and leave with your own unique stunner.
Snag a Mushroom Grow Kit, $100, from Orion’s Apothecary in Loveland. Your health conscious friend will also appreciate the Elderberry Syrup Mix or Fire Cider, featuring 25 organic ingredients.
Art-Centric Gifts
Raid the one-stop all-things-Loveland shop – the Loveland Visitors Center (5400 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland) — for some truly one-of-a-kind items. Featuring merchandise from more than 25 local Loveland artisans and manufacturers, including glass hearts, bronze sculptures, locally made clothing and jewelry, gifts, toys, books, and local food items, this is a Visitors Center on steroids. Artists and makers include:
Annual Collectible Ornament: Each year, the Loveland Winter Holiday Council partners with a local artist to produce a limited-edition collection of holiday ornaments. This year’s ornament, “Five Goldens Ringing” by Jim Hingten ($30) features a family of golden retriever dogs ringing bells. Each ornament is one-of-a-kind, numbered, and includes the artists bio and the meaning behind the design.
HeARTs of Glass: Loveland Artist Donna Gordon’s sculpted-blown glass hearts are truly exquisite. Donna’s hearts have become her signature pieces and are favored by collectors; she also crafts glass flames and bottle stoppers.
Peak to Peak Pottery: Potter Ruth Hartman is a member of the Northern Colorado Potters Guild and lives in Loveland, Colorado. Ruth creates one-of-a-kind functional pottery and each piece is individually thrown on a potter’s wheel and trimmed. Her glazing technique reflects her love of the mountains.
Alcohol Ink Hearts: Christine James’ art and jewelry pieces are inspired by “the Creator’s amazing palette of colors” on display at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Loveland. Christine’s one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces are made using alcohol ink, which creates stunning vibrancy and fluidity in each unique piece.
Wood Creations: Mountain Craftsmen owners John Metcalf and Marc Kray create bold, distinctive products including small furniture, home and office décor pieces, and artwork. This duo uses materials ranging from domestic and exotic woods to glass and poured epoxy resin to create their pieces. They are known for their exquisite attention to detail.
Wooden Ornaments: Husband-wife team Mitch and Bre Staut founded a wood décor company during the pandemic. Look for their unique-to-Loveland wooden ornaments on the Visitors Center tree.
Recycled Guitar String Earrings: Loveland artist Sandi Nelsen is an accomplished mosaic artist; her work is exhibited in several states in both public and private collections. Sandi’s recycled guitar string earrings feature her artistic mosaic designs displayed on guitar strings upcycled from local musicians.
For A Refined Palate
Root Shoot Malting, a fifth-generation family farm that’s been providing barley, wheat, rye and corn to Front Range distilleries for eight years, unveiled its first single malt whiskey in August 2023. Named Root Shoot Whiskey, the 100 percent locally-sourced single malt whiskey was distilled in 2018 and aged in American oak barrels for four years. It contains notes of pastry, baking spice, faint cocoa dust, minty and spicy botanicals. This local craft malting house has earned a heap of awards for its whiskey, which is straight from Loveland soil to your snifter.
Sweet Heart Winery is a Loveland oasis that serves and ships easy-sipping wines. Sweet Heart’s wines are California sourced and Colorado crafted and they’ve acquired quite a following. There’s also a wine club, which gives members the first sip of small batch varietals, and first access to each new wine.
Papa Joe’s Local Honey: Papa Joe is a Loveland Bee Helper who creates local, unprocessed honey, comb honey, creamed honey, candles, and healing creams and balms made with beeswax. His products are available at the Loveland Visitors Center.
Gifts for Less than $25
The new Willow & Finch is locally owned and carries a variety of made-in-Northern Colorado items, including home decor, vintage furniture, local coffee, skincare options, notebooks, jewelry, handmade clothing, and much more. There are plenty of affordable options that will help you check off your gift buying list in no time.
Snag interesting specialty olive oils, vinegars, seasonings, dips, condiments and more from Olive & Herb, located in The Promenade Shops at Centerra in Loveland. If your gift recipient prefers the experiential route, buy them a class like the upcoming charcuterie workshop where you learn how to create a gorgeous charcuterie masterpiece with unique flavor profiles.
Top of the Lake Coffee partners with and gives back to coffee farmers in and around the village of San Juan la Laguna on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Solola, Guatemala. Guatemalan’s Western Highlands produce some of the most distinctively flavored coffees in the world. La Voz’s Arabica trees are cultivated in rich, volcanic soil under a diverse canopy of shade trees. A variety of native species, the trees are home to a wealth of migratory bird species. La Voz members produce coffee on small plots (1 to 2 hectares each) that are individually owned and maintained. Try the La Voz, with milk chocolate, citrus fruit, and green apple notes ($17). Top of the Lake Coffee is sold at the Loveland Visitors Center.
