Mountain Mayhem: Holiday gift guide
Courtesy photo
Now that Black Friday is behind us and the holidays are ahead, ’tis the season for gift giving. To shop locally, I’ve gathered a few experiences and creations to consider for your list this year that are based here or inspired by the Aspen area.
Aspen Posters — These vintage-inspired, original illustrated posters by former resident and frequent visitor David Stillman Meyer arrive ready to hang with a slim solid wood frame. Meyer is an illustrator, designer, writer, and filmmaker whose grandparents, Walt and Shirley Taylor, first came to Aspen on their honeymoon in 1944 and were part-time residents for forty years. StillmanMeyer.com
Aspen author Jill Sheeley’s latest children’s book, “Adventures of Fraser the Yellow Dog: Rescue on Independence Pass” — As the 11th edition in her Fraser series, the latest adventure travels to Devil’s Punchbowl, the Grottos, and the Braille Trail. Sheeley recently returned from a trip to Kenya where she visited an isolated village to read to the kids and donated books to their library. On Dec. 13, 20, and 27, she’ll read at a complimentary Storybook Hour at The Little Nell. jillsheeleybooks.com
Marble Distilling Company – This award-winning, sustainability-minded Carbondale distillery features a bar, tasting room, and inn with a variety of gifts on tap for the season. Join their Barrel Club with membership privileges to age your very own bourbon or whiskey in a barrel engraved with your name and stored in the glass-enclosed, humidification-controlled barrel locker. Another option is to pick up holiday bottles of Marble Vodka, Gingercello, Moonlight Expresso, and Hoovers Revenge Whiskeys. Or book a stay in one of their suites with a view of Mount Sopris. marbledistilling.com
Small Wonders — This annual holiday show has taken place since 2007 at The Aspen Chapel. Affordable artwork no larger than 12″ X 12″ and priced under $200 is available from 34 artists working in oil, acrylic, pastel, ceramics, mixed media, watercolors, photography, collages, sculpture, and wood. A true community event, 10% of the proceeds benefit Holiday Baskets, a valley nonprofit serving approximately 250 valley families in need with food and gifts for the holidays. Upcoming après-ski dates to shop are Dec. 7 and 14 from 3-6 p.m. aspenchapelgallery.org
Tuesday Foods — Another Carbondale-based brand is offering its signature Cookie Boxes this holiday season. These whole foods, plant-based cookies are vegan, gluten-free, and freeze-able. Each gift box includes either four, eight, or twelve 6-ounce cookies, a mix of Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, and Carrot Cake Cookie with ‘Cream Cheese’ Frosting beautifully wrapped for your giftee. Available for shipping nationwide. tuesdayfoods.co
Last, but not least, the quintessential Aspen gift is a trip in the Ultimate Taxi. Chauffeur extraordinaire Jon Barnes has been driving his souped-up yellow cab for more than thirty years around the downtown core. I recently rode along for a 45-minute tour de town that was pure fun with a laser light show, magic tricks, music, and entertainment. ultimatetaxi.com
Aspen hotels up their culinary offerings
Aspen’s culinary scene is heating up this winter. In addition to the many extraordinary local chefs and restaurants that make this town a foodie destination, three Aspen hotels offer diners more diverse options by inviting visiting chefs into their kitchens.
Aspen local charged with poaching bull moose in Upper Fryingpan Valley
He said exhaustion and the desire to return home with meat clouded his judgment.
