Skis made not for skiing, but for sitting back and taking in the view. Soaps made for taking you back to the mountains. Artistic creations made from those white, emblematic trees out there.

Something to spice things up. Something to carry your needs no matter the outing, wild or urban. And wherever you go, something warm that bears a simple reminder: Be good. 

This holiday season, we are once again reminded of the creativity and passion that Colorado inspires. Leave it to this state to deliver the perfect gift. 

Here are but a dozen ideas: 

Mountain Time Soap 

What do you think about when you think about mountain time? “It’s about being present in the moment,” according to this company. “It’s about connecting with nature and honoring the spirit of life.” And that means a healthy, all-natural way of being ー accompanied by some aromatherapy. That’s the aim of these soaps that utilize vegan and plant-based oils, clays and botanicals for color and coffee grounds, shredded loofah, rolled oats and volcanic pumice for exfoliators. The result? Gift bundles, among others, meant to transport you to hot springs and forest floors. 

Colorado connection: What started as a personal mission for Stacy Smoot to remove chemicals and plastic waste from her life evolved into a line of nature-based products for all. The products are made in Golden.

Price: Bar soap gift bundles starting at $36, boxes with mix of essentials $56-$62. mountaintimesoap.com

Colorado Ski Furniture chairs 

For your ski-crazed loved one who will feel like royalty when he or she takes a seat. Or maybe you’re a ski-crazed couple or family looking to perfect the patio. Nothing says ski-crazed like these vibrant Adirondack chairs made of recycled gear. They are unmistakably Colorado, complete with their carefully painted designs ー the state’s iconic “C,” its mountains, aspen trees and wildlife, including bigfoot of course. 

Colorado connection: Colorado Ski Furniture has long turned the heads of drivers along the road into Manitou Springs. The business is the vision of Adam Vernon, who in 2014 left the corporate world to lean back, literally, on his skiing passion. 

Price: Chairs range $500-$1,000+, shipping included. coloradoskichairs.com

Horsetooth Hot Sauce 

Since 2008, these colorful bottles have cemented their place at restaurant tables, grocery shelves and home pantries around a state proud of spice. There are sauces tangy and smoky, too, along with surprises like the pink concoction called Linger, which lives up to the name with hints of cranberry and scorpion pepper. Then there’s the names that speak for themselves: The Green and Melt Your Face. You might want to add Horsetooth’s special bloody mary mix to the gift bag. 

Colorado connection: The business is named for the rock formation looming over Fort Collins. This is where John and Michael Ann Comeau began their stated “rebellion against bland fare.” 

Price: Individual bottles $7-$10. horsetoothhotsauce.com

Pappardelle’s Pasta of the Month Club

Pappardelle’s lists The Broadmoor, The Brown Palace and Aspen’s Hotel Jerome as among places where its pasta has been served, not to mention special occasions that served the White House and Pope John Paul II. Next stop: the kitchen of the pasta lover you know. The monthly delivery is the gift that keeps on giving. The boxes come with two pastas, suggested recipes and swag displaying the company’s lofty slogan: “The fine art of pasta.” 

Colorado connection: David Bowen and Bill Curtis started delivering their product around Denver in the 1980s. Their bold vision, according to the company website: “Exquisite, fresh pasta in an array of flavors never before experienced by Americans. 

Price: Prepaid subscriptions for one, three or six months $45-$276 (shipping not included). pappardellespasta.com

Talnua Distillery whiskey 

Colorado connection: A couple on a whiskey-tasting honeymoon in Ireland was inspired to return to America and open what was thought to be the country’s only single pot still distillery. Patrick and Meagan Miller opened Talnua in Arvada in 2018. 

Price: Bottles $50-$80 at the distillery, located at 5405 W. 56th Ave. Unit C, Arvada. Other Denver area retailers mapped on the website: talnua.com

Topo Designs packs 

Topo Designs is becoming synonymous with the outdoorsy Coloradan. There’s something about the look of those color-block packs seen on trails and city streets ー “durable, functional and classic,” to borrow the brand’s own words. To borrow more: “versatile and sustainable.” The multi-size packs strap to the back or waist or hang over the shoulder. Even better for the eco-minded: They are made with organic, recycled material.

Colorado connection: Jedd Rose started sewing packs in his Fort Collins basement in 2008. He and Mark Hansen went on to grow a company with multiple stores in Denver and California. 

Price: Bestselling mini shoulder bag and waist pack $45; backpacks $80-$110. topodesigns.com

Colorado Aspen Creations lamps and more

After moving to South Park in 2017, Lori Fryt was inspired by the aspen trees scattered around her and her husband’s 70-acre property. She learned how to use a chainsaw and got to work taking down the dead ones or cutting the fallen ones, and transforming them into one-of-a-kind floor and table lamps, candle holders, walking sticks and more. One of her favorite parts is peeling off the bark to see what sort of markings tunnel through the wood: “It’s neat to see what Mother Nature has under the bark. I just give them a little help. She does most of the work.”

Colorado connection: Fryt grew up in Chipita Park and graduated from Manitou Springs High School. 

Price: $70-$375; coloradoaspencreation.com

Kemo Sabe cowboy hats

If you’re into celebrity culture, you’ve likely heard of Kemo Sabe, the cowboy hatmaker heard round the world, thanks to famous folks who praise their goods, like Beyonce, Kevin Costner, influencer Alix Earle and the ladies on “The Real Housewives” spinoffs. Men and women can’t get enough of the stylish cowboy hats, belts, jackets and other Western wear. You can order hats online, but if you’re near the Aspen location, you can personalize your hat on site.

Colorado connection: After founding the business in 1990 in a 400-square-foot space in Snowmass Village, Tom and Nancy Yoder expanded their empire to six locations, including Vail, Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Park City, Utah. In 2020, the Yoders sold the store to Wendy Kunkle, who worked at Kemo Sabe, and her brother.

Price: $195-$895 cowboy hats; kemosabe.com

Smeeny Made Wild beanies

Beanie: a small, close-fitting hat worn on the back of the head. Company founder Chereen Leong Schwarz taught herself to knit in 2017 with a pair of thrift store needles and a couple of YouTube videos. What started as a side hustle grew legs, and now she’s cranking out gorgeous, one-of-a-kind beanies made from 100% ethically and sustainably sourced, premium-quality merino wool yarn sourced from a family-run company.

Colorado connection: Schwarz and her husband initially moved to Steamboat Springs to be ski bums for a season. But they loved the small-town life, her knitting business was flourishing, and they stayed.

Price: $88-$98; smeenymadewild.com

Be a Good Person clothes

What you wear can speak volumes. And walking around with a hoodie that says “Be a Good Person” is a nice reminder to whoever lays eyes upon you. The Denver-based company has two locations and an online shop where you can find T-shirts, hoodies, hats, jean jackets, license plate covers, doormats and more. The company also offers a Hometown Collection featuring Colorado’s state flag-inspired designs.

Colorado connection: Founders Darian Simon and Julian Donaldson came up with the Be a Good Person motto in a high school art class a decade ago, when the teacher assigned them to come up with something to create an impact. They dreamed up the phrase while working in the basement of a suburban Aurora home, initially making simple stickers bearing the phrase. The product caught fire, and the duo eventually began emblazoning a line of apparel.

Price: $10-$189; beagoodperson.com

Krimson Klover clothes

Colorado weather forces our fashion hand. We must bundle up, so we might as well choose soft, warm, aesthetically-appealing and sustainable wool blends. Krimson Klover offers women all of the above with merino wool sweaters and turtlenecks, fleece jackets and vests, base layers for ski days, loungewear and alpaca sweaters. Clothing is made with long-lasting materials and ethical sourcing to create low-impact products.

Colorado connection: Founder Rhonda Swenson started the Boulder company in 2009 to rewrite the narrative of how women are seen in the outdoors, in business and the world.

Price: $100-$500; krimsonklover.com

Lars Leber Photography

Colorado connection: The Germany-born photographer moved to Colorado and lived in Colorado Springs for a number of years before relocating to Salida. His passion for hiking, fishing and backpacking helps him score his noteworthy shots.

Price: $22.95; larsleber.com