YOUR AD HERE »

Aspen Times Weekly cover story: Last-minute gift ideas

Amanda CharlesAspen Times WeeklyAspen, CO Colorado
Thinkstock photoCover design by Afton Groepper
ALL |

It’s crunch time. There are only a few days left until Christmas, and if you’re like us, you’re spending it frantically trying to fill stockings and the space under the tree where all the gifts are supposed to be.To help, we sent writer Amanda Charles and photographer Pavel Osiak around town to find unique gifts in different price ranges, with one rule: You have to be able to buy the products right here in the Roaring Fork Valley. Of course, we can’t include all the cool ideas and fun stores to shop, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for on this list, just head to a downtown area and start looking. Here is what they found:

Hand warmers, ski straps, Edge flashlights, waterproof matches, prayer flags and “Trails Illustrated” maps at Ute Mountaineer.Zanies Christmas Tree Cat Teaser and other animal toys and treats at Rocky Mountain Pet Shop.Customized Aspen Christmas tree ornaments, playing cards, shot glasses and other odd finds at Carl’s Pharmacy.Pauli Hayes mix and match soaps, Bottoms Up Farm soups, raw unheated Aspen Honey and Too Haute Girls popcorn varieties at Aspen Emporium and Flying Circus.

– Free –



1. Breedlove Passport Revival D/EM with upgraded solid Englemann spruce top for a bold sound – a great gift for a first time guitar player at Two Old Hippies. $299.2. Smith Vantage Helmet offering a high impact Hybrid SL shell construction, AirEvac 2 Ventilation and low profile dual Regulator climate control system with 21 vents at Ute Mountaineer. $190.3. Nespresso U Espresso Maker for high-quality and bold tasting espresso in your own home at Kitchen Loft. $199.4. Suunto Core Watch for backcountry endeavors, providing the data you need to take on nature’s greatest challenges at Ute Mountaineer. $215.

1. Black Diamond Verdict Skis bringing a new level of edge hold and terrain-absorbing dampness to the line – a true all-mountain machine at Ute Mountaineer. $749.2. Smith IO RECON Snowboard Goggles featuring GPS and Bluetooth MOD Live Technology for tracking your location, distance, speed, temperature and altitude on the hill at Ute Mountaineer. $650.3. Mammut Avalanche Backpack with an integrated removable airbag system ideal for all-mountain and freeriding at Ute Mountaineer. $679.95.




1. GERT Women’s Buffalo Horn Sunglasses handcrafted with genuine buffalo horn and sophisticated laser-engraved cutouts at Morgenthal Frederics. $1,895.2. Men’s “Hummer” Chrome Hearts Sunglasses black and silver, featuring silver frames, tortoise shell arms, black lenses and leather case at Morgenthal Frederics. $2,140.3. Lange 1 Time Zone by A. Lange & Sohne, an 18-carat white gold timepiece displaying the local time at any given place in the world while faithfully keeping track of home time as well at Meridian Jewelers. $50,100.4. Cartier Tank Anglaise, the automatic steel and rose gold timepiece featuring a concentrated form and reinforced lines for a streamline design at Meridian Jewelers $8,600.