12 8 11 gifts ii

Creative, conscious ideas for your holiday gift giving

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Andreas Grimsland enjoys Sturtz & Copeland’s opulence.

Publisher, Stewart Sallo Editor, Joel Dyer Director of Sales & Marketing, Dave Grimsland Director of Operations/Controller, Benecia Beyer Circulation Manager, Cal Winn Editorial Managing Editor, Jefferson Dodge Special Editions Editor, Elizabeth Miller Associate Editors, David Accomazzo, Quibian Salazar-Moreno Sales Retail Sales Manager, Allen Carmichael Inside Sales Manager, Jason Wing Account Executives, David Hasson, Amber Hayes, Don Patterson Production Production Manager, Dave Kirby Art Director, Susan France Graphic Designer, Mark Goodman General & Administrative Marketing Manager & Heiress, Julia Sallo Office Manager/Advertising Assistant, Francie Swidler Circulation Team Dave Hastie, Dan Hill, George LaRoe, Jeffrey Lohrius, Elizabeth Ouslie, Rick Slama 11-Year-Old, Mia Rose Sallo

Boulder Weekly

Gift Guide II 2011

’T

is the season for getting a little frantic. Your schedule is crammed, your to-do lists are long and your to-buy-for list is much longer than your list of what-to-buy ideas.

We get it. So before you get all strung out on eggnog lattes and start swarming the mall looking for inspiration in every mannequin’s face, consider the contents of these pages. We’ve done the hard work for you.

We’ve considered personality types and interests, age ranges and hobbies. We’ve stacked up our choice gear of the year, and sampled some of the season’s tastiest treats. Great gifts are out there — and possible to find without emptying your pocketbook into 2012.

So sit back, relax, sip instead of gulp your peppermint-spiced whatever, and let these pages unfold and the possibilities brew. Then bundle up, get out there and get ready for another wonderful holiday season.

December 8, 2011 3

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4 December 8, 2011

Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

Holi-dealing

by Steve Weishampel

I

f you’re shopping for gifts on a budget, you should know it differs from shopping for yourself: Ramen is generally not a much-appreciated present, and a card that says “Just wear the same clothes another year” in lieu of a gift doesn’t fly.

But a lot of the old tricks can still serve you well.

Going thrifting, a year-round favorite for budget shoppers and ironic hipsters, is a gray area for gifts, but used items as gifts is at least worth considering, says Claire Walter, co-founder of Denver deals website MileHighontheCheap.com.

“There are a lot of really fine thrift shops, boutiques and consignment shops,” she says. “If you have someone on your list who collects something — ceramic mushrooms, glass frogs, vintage linens, things of that nature — you can get those in thrift shops and you’re supporting something worthwhile.”

She notes that consignment shops from the national (like Goodwill) to the local (Boulder’s HospiceCare thrift store) support charities.

Laurence Bellas, assistant manager at HospiceCare & Share, says the store doesn’t typically see a big holiday rush. But he says even shoppers leery of buying used items should check the store’s inventory.

“We do occasionally get brand new stuff in here,” he says. “It’s always random, but you can find new stuff [and] very gently used items that make great gifts.”

The store has a wide range of goods, Bellas says, including a large number of books.

“We’ve had a great summer of donations,” he says. And, in line with Walter’s point, Bellas says money spent at HospiceCare&Share goes to a greater cause than corporate profits.

“One hundred percent of our profits go to hospice care, patient care,” he says.

Bellas might not be seeing a holiday rush, but Stephanie Schindhelm says the Boulder Book Store is ready for one. And Schindhelm, a manager at the store, says the used book section gets more attention every year.

“With the economy we’ve seen a huge jump of people giving used books as gifts,” she says.

“We anticipate selling a lot of sale books and used Boulder Weekly

Gift Guide II 2011

books over the holidays.”

Even though Boulder Book Store is not a charity, Schindhelm says shoppers should consider the economic benefit of shopping locally.

“We’re people that live the community. We pay sales tax, whereas Amazon doesn’t, so some of your money is going to support schools and roads, whereas Amazon doesn’t contribute to any of that,” she says. “It’s much more of an investment into the community, as opposed to a box store or shopping online.”

Homemade gifts exhibit thoughtfulness, attention and skill. Unless, like me, everything you attempt actually makes the trash uglier when you put it in there.

In that case, Laura Daily, Walter’s partner at Mile High on the Cheap, says she highly recommends local craft shows as a low-cost alternative shoppers can find all over town.

“Pottery guilds, rec centers and community centers — some big, some small — a lot of high schools do them as fundraisers,” she says. “You’re buying a product that’s handmade and homemade, and without a middleman and a franchise, your prices are lower. So that is a terrific way to find some really cool stuff made by locals.”

Craft shows can save money over typical stores, and they also offer consumers a chance to make a globally conscious economic choice, Daily says.

“A lot of these fairs are fair trade,” she says.

“You know that money’s getting into the pipeline to help somebody in a Third World country.You’re buying their craft and that money is going on to them.”

The daily deal coupon, another year-long standby of budget shoppers, can help you give dining and activities you otherwise couldn’t afford. And this year it’s not completely awkward.

“This year the numbers are wildly high for people buying from daily deal sites,” Daily says.

“There’s no shame any more in giving Grandma or the folks a gift card to a nice restaurant for $50 that you only paid $25 for.”

A recent online poll by deal site Yipit.com found 90 percent of users plan to buy a daily deal as a gift this year.

Walter says daily deal coupons can be great gifts in the right situation.

One of the best deals out there — scientifically measured in word-to-dollar ratio — is a magazine subscription, Daily says.

Most year-long subscriptions are cheaper than a night out and will fit your friend’s interests better than a gift card or The Hangover 2 on DVD. TIME magazine is only $30 for a year (56 issues); the biweekly ESPN the Magazine is $1 per issue for 26 issues. For traveler types, the monthly National Geographic is $15 for a year; for celebrity watchers, a year of Entertainment Weekly is $35. And for outdoor enthusiasts, Outside is $24 for 12 issues, Climbing is $15 for 10 issues, and nine issues of Backpacker are $12.

And as for the gift card: It’s not the most thoughtful or specific present. Gift cards (no offense, Aunt Lisa) say, “I know vaguely where a good gift might come from, but I gave up before I could pick anything.”

But if you’re going to go that route, at least save some money while you do it. Daily deal sites are one way; another is through local grocery stores, which offer programs to save money on anything you buy, including gift cards.

“A gift card can help you if you buy them at Safeway or King Soopers,” Daily says. “They give you bonus points towards gasoline, so buy a Target gift card at King Soopers and you get 100 points, 10 cents [per gallon] off your next tank of gas.”

The holidays should be joyful — not a time to resign yourself to bread sandwiches through April because you spent too much on gifts. Plan carefully and you can enjoy a jar of Jif and even an economy-size grape jelly, and maybe even give loved ones a thoughtful gift along the way.

December 8, 2011 5

Gear of the Year: Five items you won’t want to live without

Roam camera

By Tom Winter

C

hristmas is coming, but framed sunglasses were everywhere. the ski and snowboard And through their rose-colored season has already started. lenses, skiing looked pretty good: biRegardless of whether kini babes in hot tubs, Playboy bunny you’re celebrating the start shoots in Aspen of winter, adding a few and decadent sses “special” items to evenings in sungla s a W POC slope-side that gift list, stoking condos were out a friend with the order an early December of the day. birthday or rewardTimes have ing yourself, here’s changed, but where to start your POC does shopping list. an amazing job of channeling the hippest style of those POC Was sunglasshalcyon days in the updated Was es $139 (pocsports.com) sunglasses, which feature modern Skiers of a certain era (there technology like their NTX lenses. were no snowboarders back then) Developed for the armed forces, remember a time when white-

Hot 2011 outdoors gifts

by James Dziezynski

O

n the eighth day, Santa said “Let there be gear!”

And behold there was a plethora of Gore-tex laid before the masses and fleece grew from the trees and carbon-fiber precision welded bike frames sprang from the earth. Mankind did rejoice at 800-fill down jackets and dogkind did rejoice at the multitude of soft-bite frisbees that rain’d down from the heavens, and it was good.

6 December 8, 2011

these lenses can withstand 1/4inch steel projectiles shot at the lens at a velocity of 150 feet per second.

Contour Roam Digital Camera $200 (contour.com) The latest offering from Contour is the versatile and easy-to-use Roam.

With an instant on switch and the ability to shoot high definition (1080 pixels) video, the Roam can mount anywhere from a helmet to the end of a ski pole.

These combined attributes make the Roam the best choice for shooting point-of-view videos this year. Or point it at a friend and hope they do something crazy.

Nikon

S1200

pj dig

See GEAR OF THE YEAR Page 7

ital c

I think that’s how it happened.And who are we to break with that age-old gift-giving tradition?

For Guys Guys are pretty easy to shop for — if it’s shiny, they’ll probably like it.

Note that this does not include shiny underwear, socks or ties, though if they happen to have a built-in GPS you might be on to something.

Sundance Solar is particularly tuned in to shiny things, most notably that beloved mass of incandescent gas in the sky, the sun.They offer a full array of portable solar battery chargers that can power anything from AAA batteries to laptops.The solar panel backpacks are particularly cool. Now all your favorite mountain men can head out into the wilderness without the dreadful fear of

Liberty Skis Genome $770 (libertyskis.com) An ultra-light bamboo/poplar core, full rocker and outrageous graphics make these skis hard to miss in the lift line. And they are hard to miss, with a footprint that clocks in at 170-141-156.

But while the numbers are huge — and these skis are fat — Liberty’s Genome is an amazingly nimble powder tool that handles Colorado’s deepest storms. Give the powderhound in your family the ultimate ride when you put these under the tree at Christmas, but don’t be surprised if you end up getting yourself your own pair.They’re just that good.

having their iPod die, forcing them to indulge the peaceful song of nature, which contains very little Metallica.

Also practical for helpful applications like recharging GPS, cell phone and camera batteries.

Freelance writer and photographer Ted Alan Stedman offers up the Nikon S1200pj digital camera as tops amongst new gadgets. “Instant digital playback has been a wonderful tool, especially during remote travel where a few shared snapshots earn you major karma,” he says.“The new Nikon S1200pj ($430)

ame

ra

takes the concept further with a built-in projector that shows surprisingly crisp photos and videos on any flat surface, even up to 60 inches wide.The 14.1 megapixel resolution, anti-shake technology, 5X optical zoom and ability to connect to iPods, iPads and iPhones and display content make this a very versatile travel companion that fits in your pocket.”

For Girls As for women’s gifts, award-winning travel writer Jayme Moye says the stylish Marmot Montreaux Coat ($275) is a top choice.

“Not only is this the warmest, coziest coat around, insulated with 650-fill See OUTDOOR GIFTS Page 7

Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

OUTDOOR GIFTS from Page 6

goose down, it’s also sexy chic with a body-hugging tailored fit and a jaunty fur-lined hood ruff,” Moye says.

Sherpani purses and handbags (starting at $30) have perfected the mountainchic look that is equally comfortable in the office as it is in the climbing gym.

Feminine but not over-the-top girly and available in a variety of understated but trendy designs, Sherpani purses are sure to become a favorite fashion accessory.

a 29er mountain bike, what’s the deal? Designed to roll faster and climb more efficiently, the bigger wheel circumference makes for a zippy ride that is ideal for long days

on the trail. Kona bikes have a range of great models, notably the affordable and worthy Kahuna and its lighter and more advanced brother, the Big Kahuna.

In addition, Lizard Skin Lock-On Grips ($30) are perfect for mountain, cruiser and commuter bikes, and you can customize the lock rings on the Lizard Skins website.

For Hikers and Campers For those who explore the world on foot, simplicity and functionality are high on their most-wanted list.

An affordable gift that every hiker can use is Mountainsmith’s Cyber II Point and Shoot camera case ($16 to $20).

It slides onto backpack straps and is especially good at staying put on Camelbak shoulder straps when biking or skiing. No excuses for missing those action shots!

Backpackers and campers can’t go wrong with the MSR Dromedary ($30 to $45) packs, available in a variety of sizes.These sleek and tough water packs are superior to the old-style collapsible water containers, and they weigh next to nothing.And as a bonus, cold-weather campers can fill them with hot water and use them to heat their sleeping bags in the night or as an extra toasty pillow.

For Bikers Let’s start big: If you haven’t ridden

GEAR OF THE YEAR from Page 6

Discrete Beanie $10-$30 (discreteheadwear.com) The ultimate stocking stuffer, Discrete is the brainchild of pro skiers Julian Carr and Billy Poole.

While unfortunately Poole isn’t with us anymore, Discrete still is. With a fantastic array of styles and colors, the hats are worn by many of the best skiers and riders on the mountain.

Pick up one for yourself or give one as a gift to a friend and endow them with the powers of the powder kings who preceded them.

Boulder Weekly

Gift Guide II 2011

December 8, 2011 7

First United Methodist Church of Boulder a welcoming and affirming community

a at 2pm and December 11 at 10:30 am – s DecemberFree10 performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors Share hristmaDonations for EFAA are being collected – see our website for details C gful December 23 at 7pm – Blue Christmas Service Meanin s December 24 at 5pm – Children-centered Candlelight Service December 24 at 7pm –Candlelight Service, featuring FUMC Choir with U December 24 at 11pm – Candlelight Communion Service th

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December 25 at 10:30 am – Christmas Day Worship Service featuring Pastor Pat Bruns “Did You Get What You Wanted for Christmas?” based on John 1:1-14 th

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8 December 8, 2011

Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

Stocking success

Your guide to stuffing a stocking and showing up Santa

by Blair Madole

S

tockings are one of the better things about the holidays. Stuffing them requires imagination and knowledge of the receiver beyond a specific list of desired presents, and you have a small space to prove you have it. If you’re stumped, here are a few ideas for what to stuff in those stockings so you can prove that Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones capable of putting one together.

Sweet stuff Candy is a tasty way to fill some space in a stocking, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on the Pearl Street Mall has a convenient selection of pre-packaged, bulk sweets.

“The bulk candy is buy three, get one free,” says Tess Gardner, a longtime worker at the shop. “The packages are great stocking stuffers because they are small, half-pound pre-wrapped bags.”

The stocking stuffer section includes chocolate Santas and presents, “Reindeer Corn,” “Jingle Bell Jells” and Hanukkah-themed chocolates shaped like menorahs and dreidels.

They even have dog-safe, chocolatecovered bones if you are planning to let Fido join in on the festivities.

Kid stuff Toys are generally a safe stocking stuffer for kids and won’t cost much. Go classic with a yo-yo or a small puzzle; get smart with a set of flashcards or a word game like SLAM, which requires rapid-fire spelling of four-letter words; or go for a novelty with bizarre Band-Aids. These gifts can range from 40 cents to $10.

Boulder Weekly

Stuffed animals are also good for kids, especially the younger ones.

Jackalope and Company has Colorado themed animals like mountain goats, moose, elk, cougars, buffaloes and, of course, jackalopes. These range from $6.99 to $12.

“For CU supporters, we also have a stuffed football that unzips and reveals a CU bear inside,” says Hilary Barr, manager of Jackalope and Company.

“They are more than adorable and great for kids.”

Feminine flair It is easier to find stocking stuffers for the ladies than you might think. Fuzzy socks or a scarf are simple, female-friendly items that can be found at craft fairs and an array of local shops. Cosmetics are another option, but stick to lip or eye makeup, because skin shades vary and are difficult to match.

Lush, a handmade soap and cosmetic store on the Pearl Street Mall, has an overwhelming offering of bath and shower products that would make fun stocking stuffers for the girls.

Check out the bath bombs and bubble bars. These small, solid forms of bath salts and bubble liquids come in a wide variety of scents and colors.

All the products are handmade, and some include features like sparkles, essential oils, or are made in cute shapes like the Gingerbread House or the Magic Wand — a favorite of

Gift Guide II 2011

Julie Berne, an employee at Lush.

Prices range from $4.95 to $10.95.

If you are buying for multiple stockings, Berne suggests looking at the bath collections that come in decorative tins.

“With the sets, you can get a great variety of products for a little less money and pick which products go to which person,” Berne says. “Plus the tins they come in are pretty cool.”

this year, says Jason Lloyd, an employee at Into the Wind.

“These are popular because they come in a small package and they are the ‘everything toys,’” he says.

“The limit with Buckyballs really is your imagination.”

And an imagination-stimulating toy is just the thing for your cubicle-bound gift recipient.

Buckyballs range from $29.95 to $34.95, depending on the style you select.

For guys and gals with a sense of humor, try an adultrated gag gift. Jackalope and Company has an array of clever — and sometimes slightly naughty — pajamas, boxers, aprons and oven mitts, all easily stuffed into a stocking and priced around $20.

“My personal favorites are the ‘making a moose in the kitchen’ mitts and aprons, or the funny holiday boxers,” says Barr. “There are boxers that say ‘nice bells’ with Christmas ornaments, and a pair with a buffalo covering up its crotch that says ‘In the buff.’ They’re great.”

Adult stuff Stockings for adults don’t necessarily need to include only practical items — gag gifts and toys can also be included.

Buckyballs, which are a set of small, powerful magnets that can be formed into stress balls, animals and shapes of any kind, have been popular December 8, 2011 9

GIFTS OF COMFORT & WARMTH Slippers, Socks, Hats, Gloves, Comfortable Shoes, The BackJoy Back Orthotic, and MORe!

Chanukah begins Tuesday night, December 20th

• Wonderful Selection of Menorahs • Amazing gifts from Israel and Artisans • Candles and Dreidels Chanukah • Jewelry, Books and Games Concert 2-4 pm Sun. Dec. 11 • Chanukah Paper Goods Extended Gift Shop Hours • Gift Wrap Live Music from the Latke Man & Others • Gelt and other Treats Gift Shop 303-499-5597 or Karen 303-665-7955 3950 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO 80303 www.harhashem.org

BOULDER

at One Boulder Plaza, 1801 13th St. between Canyon & Walnut 303.442.RIBS (7427) 10 December 8, 2011

Days and Hours:

Thursday, Dec 8: 10-1pm Sunday, Dec 11: 9-2 pm Monday, Dec 12: 4-5:30 pm Tuesday, Dec 13: 10-1pm Wednesday, Dec 14: 10-1pm Thursday, Dec 15: 10-1pm Friday, Dec 16: 10-1 pm Monday, Dec 19: 10-Noon Tuesday, Dec 20: 10-1pm

See the $4000+ Comfortable Shoe Tree at our Pearl St. location. It’s being raffled to support Meals on Wheels.

Learn more at comfortableshoes.com/blog

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comfortableshoes.com On THe dOWnTOWn MAll at 1425 Pearl St. 303-449-5260 & In THe vIllAGe next to McGuckin 303-449-7440

Party Rooms available at both locations

www.theribhouse.com

Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

photo courtesy of Charles Steinberg

BeadforLife bead makers in Uganda drying beads in the sun

S

hopping fair trade is about more than just supporting local retailers — though this holiday season, there are plenty of local businesses selling fair trade goods. Shopping fair trade means supporting the small producers who run their businesses with a sense of accountability while employing practices that show concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of other small producers, according to the World Fair Trade Organization. It also means setting a fair price, using no child or forced labor and committing to gender equality.

And it is so much more than coffee.

This year, BeadforLife is bundling their bracelets, lip balm and shea butter soap with Equal Exchange fair trade coffee in an African gift set ($30). Panzi Hospital in Uganda, which focuses on improving maternal and reproductive health, will receive a $2 donation for each gift set sold.

BeadforLife, a nonprofit and member of the Fair Trade Federation, runs a program in which Ugandan women spend more than a year rolling bead jewelry out of recycled paper before getting three months of training in entrepreneurship and are taught math skills and required to open a savings account. They graduate the program having launched their own independently sustainable business, often making clothes or keeping chickens and selling chicken and eggs.

Other women in the program make shea butter from shea nuts.

Equal Exchange, founded in 1986, works with small farm cooperatives that produce fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate.

BeadforLife started in 2004 when one of the three founders, all women, was in Uganda and saw women rolling magazines into beads in the slums of Kampala.

“What we mainly wanted to do and our whole reason for being a part of the Fair Trade Federation Boulder Weekly

range from functional to decorative ($34 to $164).

Co-founded by Penny Webster and Johnnie Segars, Woven Promises both supports the weavers who make their products and funds education for at-risk girls through Forum of African Women Educationalists in Namibia (FAWENA).

The first sparks for the company started with people who were working with non-governmental organizations in Africa and realized they could help more people by starting a sustainable business. photo cour “What sells our things more tesy of W oven A sp Prom than anything is the i n is ees Ethio ner in stories behind silk f pia ma Promor Wovekes them,” Webn ises scar ves ster says. “Each country and operates its own each item has a retail store, sells different story on through “bead who they’re supparties” hostporting and how.” ed in private The company homes, and supports students in is sold at schools and provides other local jobs for those who retailers, wouldn’t otherwise be such as able to support their Rabbit families, she says.

Brush So why fair trade? In the Gallery. end,Young says, “It’s affordThe Rabbit able for people to buy and it Brush Gallery in Hygiene helps people to see that they also carries beads made in Kenya can in a small way help somefrom grass and dyed with vegetable one who’s very far away and doesn’t dyes and Guatemalan necklaces, ear- have as many resources as we do.” rings and beaded ornaments made BeadforLife is located at 2336 with glass beads from CzechoslovaCanyon Blvd. in Boulder, and the Rabkia. bit Brush Gallery is at 7504 Hygiene “All of these things are very afRd. in Hygiene.Visit beadforlife.org fordable for us. They just are a nice for more information. gift idea and people respond to them very well,” says Sharon Young, who co-founded Rabbit Brush with Elizabeth Durfee.

Rabbit Brush also sells goods from Boulder-based Woven Promises, which works with weavers in Ethiopia who produce silk and cotton scarves ($28 to $86), and baskets from weavers in Ghana and Namibia which

Give and give back

Fair trade gifts support small businesses around the globe

by Elizabeth Miller

is that we wanted to make sure the women are paid a fair wage… so they’re able to work their way out of poverty,” says Amy Schumann, communications manager for BeadforLife. “We work with extremely poor women, we say that they live in extreme poverty so they live on $1 or less a day.”

Supporting a family on an income that low means making hard choices like skipping meals to buy needed medicines.

“After they join the program, they can make anywhere from $7 to $9 a day, which is the equivalent of the salary of a Ugandan teacher or police officer,” Schumann says.

Like other retailers, BeadforLife is busy during the holidays.

“Because it is a time of such thankfulness and giving back, people are so willing to help and offer products or give away products,” Schumann says. “We call it the gift that gives back because if you buy this gift for your girlfriend you’re also giving back to this woman in Uganda.”

Necklaces are priced $13 to $50, bracelets $5 to $15, and earrings $10 to $15. Purchased independently, the shea butter soap is $4 and the peppermint lip balm $4. BeadforLife

Gift Guide II 2011

December 8, 2011 11

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Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

Hexbug

Wean off the screen

Green Toys dump truck

Local retailers describe popular kids gifts this year

by Jefferson Dodge

S

ometimes it’s good to get back to the ba- the Giraffe, a chewable and huggable rubber toy sics when shopping for kids’ holiday gifts. that small children love.

When it comes to steering away from Sauerwein says another toy for the tiny ones the high-tech mayhem, several Boulder is the “Melissa and Doug Doorbell House,” which toy stores can offer guidance to the features a separate key for each distinctly hottest presents for children this season, from old, numbered and colored door, and a different simple classics like the hula hoop to the newest doorbell for each. craze in tiny bug-like robots.

She also sells Playmobil advent calAnd Betty Quigley, the “experience coordinaendars that feature a small toy behind tor” for Grand Rabbit’s Toy Shoppe at 2525 Arapaeach door that kids can use to set up a hoe Ave. in Boulder, says to not overlook books. themed scene, from a Christmas post She recommends the Klutz line that features office to a dinosaur expedition to supplies and instructions for hands-on activities knights and dragons. in a variety of areas, from arts and crafts Saurwein says old-school toys to sports to science. And she says Klutz are still in vogue as well. She makes books that cater to an age range started getting requests stretching from 5 years old to about for hula hoops, for Klut z 12. instance.

Dawn Saurwein, who owns “And it’s very hard to Playfair Toys in Boulder, also keep pogo sticks in,” she says. endorses the Klutz line, noting Other simple but irresistthat offerings for young girls ible favorites include Stomp include making a twinkling Rockets, ant farms and tiara, while the older kids PlasmaCars, according to can use a loom to do beadSauerwein. work.

“My employees and I In environmentally conhave races in the store on scious Boulder, Quigley says “green” them,” she says of the latter.

Doorbell House gifts — made with natural or recyclable Quigley and other local toy retailmaterials — are also popular. A brand called ers agree that one of the hot gifts for kids this Green Toys makes various vehicles from recycled year is the Hexbug and its habitats. These batteryplastic, including a dump truck, tugboat, fire truck powered micro-robotic insects scurry across the and sports car. She also recommends Automoblox, floor like the real thing, and you can buy sets with which makes a line of classic wooden cars. elaborate ramps and pathways for them to travel When it comes to infant and toddler toys, along.

Quigley suggests the Twilight Turtle, which projects Saurwein reminds Hexbug shoppers to cona starry night on the walls and ceiling, and Sophie sider glow-in-the-dark versions of the bugs and the Boulder Weekly

Gift Guide II 2011

habitats.

She also recommends Strange Planet’s terrarium, which lets kids grow their own collection of weird plants, from a Venus Flytrap to a flower that looks like an eyeball.

Paul Kussler, manager of Into the Wind at 1408 Pearl St., says wind-up toys — of which he has an impressive collection — are always popular stocking stuffers. He recommends “flying toys for boys” and wooden bead sets and wooden stamp kits for girls.

He says puppets are also popular this year, whether it’s the finger, stage or hand variety.

Kussler carries the Folkmanis line, which he calls the “Cadillac of puppets.”

And, of course, there is the product for which Into the Wind is known best. It is the kite, which Kussler says is a popular gift from grandparents to grandchildren.

For more gift ideas for the young ones, check out the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s “Best Toys for Kids 2011” online at www. astrabesttoysforkids.com.

December 8, 2011 13

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Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

Vital video games

by Quibian Salazar-Moreno

T

he holiday season is also a season of gaming. Every fall, the biggest and brightest video games hit store shelves with hopes of filling the stockings of hard-core gamers and casual gamers alike. Luckily, we’re here to tell you what’s hot, and what’s not.

Call of duty: modern warfare 3 If your gaming relative hasn’t already mentioned this one, then he or she isn’t paying much attention.The game is a first-person shooter based around the question “What would World War 3 look like?” Already the highest-selling title in video game history, it has a Hollywood-style campaign mode and an online mode that will keep you engaged for hours.

Gears of War 3 Only on Xbox 360, Gears of War 3 ends the action-packed trilogy to save the planet from underworld creatures and an alien substance that is infecting every living thing.There are more weapons, more action and even some plot points that try to tug at your heart strings.The multi-player modes add even more worth to the game. uncharted 3: Drake’s deception Yes, it’s a season of sequels in the video game world, but there’s a reason for it — the games are so good that just one isn’t good enough.The latest in the Playstation 3-only franchise Uncharted, main character Nathan Drake continues to get his Indiana Jones on and travel the world in search of a lost city. Let the adventure begin.

Boulder Weekly

Batman: Arkham City The previous Batman game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, was considered the best Batman video game ever made.With Batman: Arkham City, not only has it supplanted Arkham Asylum as the best Batman game, but could also be considered the best superhero- and comic book-based video game ever made. Arkham City is a new prison for the criminally insane that’s five times larger than its predecessor.

Joker returns, but this time Batman is the prisoner. Can he make it out alive?

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword If Nintendo Wii owners are starting to feel a little left out, don’t fret, Zelda is back! Skyward Sword takes place before Ocarina of Time (for those of you keeping track) and utilizes the Wii-motes as a sword and targeting system.Thanks to the great story and action of the game, the industry has deemed Skyward Sword the best Zelda game in the franchise’s history.

Bass pro shops: THe Strike Tournament and The hunt trophy Editions Also on the Wii, Bass Pro Shop, the nationwide outdoor sports outlet, has released a few games to satisfy the outdoor enthusiast.Their fishing and hunting games, The Strike and The Hunt, have gotten a remix.The Tournament and Trophy editions have improved career modes, tournaments where you can win prizes, new locations and improved mini-games.The bundled versions of the games include new fishing rod and rifle controllers.

Gift Guide II 2011

December 8, 2011 15

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Game on!

New hits and old classics make for winning family memories

by Jefferson Dodge

S

ome people consider it family time when they pile on the couch for the latest installment of The Biggest Loser or Survivor: South Pacific. But chances are, you’re going to leave your kids with more lasting memories and intellectual stimulation if you switch off the talking box and play a board game together. Especially if it is snowing outside, the fireplace is roaring and you’ve got some hot chocolate on hand.

From classics like Monopoly to new hits like Settlers of Catan, local toy retailers say games are still among their bestselling items during the holidays.

Betty Quigley of Grand Rabbit’s Toy Shoppe in Boulder says the company Blue Orange makes a card game called Spot It that is good for a variety of age groups. She also recommends Blue Orange’s Fastrack, in which players use an elastic band to shoot all of their wooden disks to their opponent’s side.

In addition, Quigley speaks highly of The Laser Game: Khet 2.0, in which players set up mirrored pieces to project a laser around the board in an attempt to illuminate their opponent’s “pharaoh” piece.

As for the classics, you’re just as likely to find Monopoly in various Boulder Weekly

themes (from Cars 2 to national parks) as you are the original version, but Quigley says good old standbys like checkers, chess, dominoes and Chinese checkers are still quite popular.

She and other Boulder toy sellers say a twist on an old theme is one of the hottest games around this season. Picture the old wooden boxes with tiny silver balls that you had to negotiate around mazes. Now picture it as a three-dimensional, clear sphere with different tracks inside that you try to steer a marble along.

It’s called Perplexus, and it comes in three skill levels: Rookie, Original and Epic. It’s for ages 6 and up, and no batteries are required.

The other commonly mentioned game is Settlers of Catan, which is geared more toward teens and adults.

“It’s one game we can’t keep in at Christmas time,” says Dawn Saurwein, owner of Playfair Toys in Boulder.

Dean Densmore, assistant manager at Into the Wind on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, describes Catan as a game built around resources like clay, wheat, rock and lumber. Players try to build roads and cities and avoid robbers’ attacks. Expansions can be purchased to add on to the original.

Gift Guide II 2011

Another good board game for teens and adults is Ticket to Ride, which Sauerwein describes as a traincentered adventure set at the turn of the century.

She says Lego games are also popular this year, especially Creationary, which is like Pictionary, but instead of drawing, players build items with Lego blocks. In addition, Sauerwein recommends Slamwich, where the goal is to build a sandwich with cards.

But she says traditional favorites like Risk, Clue, Life, Rack-O and Tiddlywinks sell well, too.

Even the classic card game UNO has a new angle. Mattel has released a new Roboto version in which UNO gets its own personality and plays the game emcee and records players’ names and house rules.

Paul Kussler, manager of Into the Wind, lists the card game Fluxx (and

its various themes, from zombies to Monty Python) among his more popular items this year. He also speaks highly of “Killer Bunnies,” a card game in which you use young rabbits to attack your opponent in a quest for the magic carrot.

He also carries original editions of Clue, Monopoly and Life.

“You can’t find those anywhere, in like a Walmart or Target,” Kussler says, adding that the new versions have been edited.

For instance, he explains, the “Revenge” element was suppressed in the game of Life.

“They’ve all taken these turns to be more P.C.,” Kussler says.

December 8, 2011 17

For the tech-hound

Gadget gifts for geeky guys and gals

by Quibian Salazar-Moreno

J

    

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ust 10 years ago we couldn’t imagine some of the technology we have today. Everything from small touch-screen computers and phones to the near irrelevancy of CDs and DVDs. This year we’ve compiled just a few of the best and brightest technological advances made recently that inventors hope will make life just a little bit more convenient, fun and cool.

Check them out!

Roku 2 XS Amazon Kindle Fire Are you ready to canD If you could afford an Apcel your cable television hH t o erTo ple iPad, you would have one subscription? The Roku 2 XS may Sup by now, right? There’s no quesbe your first step in that direction. tion that the iPad is the best tablet For a one-time $99, the Roku 2 XS computer on the market. But they’re is a Wi-Fi streaming media box that $500. Even comparable Androidyou connect to your TV and Interpowered tablets are net to watch Netflix Amazon Kindle Fir e right around the streaming, Hulu Plus, same price. So what’s HBO Go, Amathe next best thing? zon Instant Video, At $199, the Amazon Crackle, NBA, MLB, Kindle Fire doesn’t NHL, Pandora and have things like a dozens more streamcamera, microphone, ing services. The box 3G wireless capability also has a USB input, or GPS, plus it only so you’re able to carries 8GB of storview image and video age, with no expanfiles. There are some sion slot. But it does competitors that ofhave a great Internet fer similar streaming services, like Interbrowser, email client and an app store that has prized apps net-ready Blu-ray players (which like Netflix, Hulu and Pandora. In adalso play DVDs and Blu-rays), the dition to that, the Kindle Fire is fully Playstation 3 (which also offers NFL integrated with Amazon.com. That Sunday Ticket and video games) and



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means anything you buy from Amazon. com, like music, books, movies and TV shows, are automatically available on your Kindle Fire. And if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, some of that stuff comes free. Plus you don’t even have to worry about the 8GB of space, because that entire mass of media is stored on and streamed from the Amazon cloud and can be accessed anytime you’re connected to Wi-Fi. Sure, the iPad is sleek and stylish, but the Kindle Fire is affordable and does a lot with a lot less.



Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

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Xbox 360 (which also offers ESPN streaming and video games), but the Roku 2 XS is for those wanting the pure and most varied streaming media experience available. Cable companies are shaking in their boots.

NuMark iDJ Live At some point in life, you wanted to be a DJ, right? At $99, NuMark’s iDJ Live can turn you and your NuM ark iPhone, iPod iDJ L ive Touch or iPad into a DJing superstar. OK, not really, but we’re sure you’ll be able to have lots of fun DJing at your holiday parties. The iDJ Live controller works in conjunction 200 with the popup1 a r W zix lar app DJay by Vu Algoriddim or other MIDI-enabled Core apps, allowing you to scratch, mix and control the bass and treble of the songs on your iPhone.The controller comes with an iPad stand and a headphone speaker split cable, making it easier for you to just plug in and play. So go ahead and get your party on!

SuperTooth HD It’s always tough to find that perfect Bluetooth speaker for your car.

Sometimes they’re not loud enough, sometimes the battery life is terrible Boulder Weekly

and sometimes you have to press so many buttons for it to work that you might as well just answer your phone normally. But the SuperTooth HD could be the best Bluetooth speaker available. The speaker is loud, the battery has 20 hours of talk time and 1,000 hours of standby time, and everything is voice-activated.

Use your voice to make calls, answer calls, send texts, emails and even post updates to Facebook and Twitter.

For $129, life just became so much easier.

Vuzix Wrap 1200 video eyewear Apparently some people don’t like watching movies or TV shows on their smartphones or tablet computers because of how small the screen is. Well,Vuzix’s $499 Wrap 1200 video eyewear should solve that problem.

The eyewear connects to your phone or tablet and gives you the ability to watch video as if you were sitting in front of a 75-inch screen.You can watch both 2D and 3D video and it comes with its own pair of noise-cancelling headphones.Yes, it’s basically like a big screen television sitting on the bridge of your nose. Can life get any better?

Gift Guide II 2011

December 8, 2011 19

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Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

At top and bottom are gifts from Penzeys Spices, with Brie from Cured in between.

Foodie fanaticism Gifts for the food and drink lovers

by Blair Madole

B

uying a gift for self-proclaimed foodies can be daunting, especially if you aren’t as knowledgeable as they are on the subject.

You can’t go wrong with a gift card or a dinner at one of the nicer places in town. On the other hand, if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, here are a few engaging gift ideas for your food-and-beverage-loving friend.

Think inside the box For friends who loves to learn about what they are consuming, try a basket or box equipped with tasty treats and tools to learn more about them.

Cured, the wine and cheese shop east of the Pearl Street Mall, offers Cured of the Month Clubs that cover a variety of food-loving levels and include educational material about the products.

There is a club for “dairy lovers” that consists of just cheese, an “omnivore” that has both meat and cheese, and a “perfect pairings” that includes cheese, meat and a paired dose of wine or beer. Each month the boxes will also include a bit of education about your snacks and what pairs well with each item.

Recipients of the Cured of the Month Club can retrieve their package each month at the store, where they can meet the owners and learn Boulder Weekly

more about the food they are picking up, or can have it delivered to their

home.

Subscriptions can be for three, six or 12 months, and prices range from $150 to $1,020.

Cured also offers a series of Holiday Gift Boxes filled with a selection of goods planned with vacations in mind.

“The concept behind the gift boxes is travel and how you relate to food, how one bite can bring back so many memories,” says Coral Ferguson, co-owner of Cured. “With these, you can have a travel experience, whether it is a day trip, a weekend away or an entire vacation, without leaving your home. It still feels like an escape.”

The boxes come in four differ-

Gift Guide II 2011

ent varieties: the Day Trip, the Weekend Away, the Sojourn and the Colorado Road Trip. Each box includes a variety of meats, cheeses and accoutrements, and prices range from $75 to $250. Patrons can also select the Side Car, a gift box with nonperishable goods to accompany any selection of cheese and meat, for $30.

Boxcar Coffee Roasters also has gift boxes available that are meant to be both educational and engaging, says Cara Rich, co-owner of Boxcar. Customers can choose from four packages, ranging from $65 to $250. Each gift box includes three kinds of coffee, an array of high-quality coffee brewing equipment such as a Chemex coffeemaker or a Cafepresso coffee press, and a one-on-one training session on how to properly use the equipment and brew the coffee.

For ideas, take a look in the local Penzeys Spices. Penzeys sells more spices than many people know exist and is the place to go for finding the seasonings for more exotic dishes.

The shop also has a large collection of gift boxes that are themed around different cuisine, like the Indian Curry, Taco Seasonings and Baker’s assortment sets, which can help pick a theme for your cook’s gift.

Kaylyn Bopp, an employee at Penzeys, says the mini boxes are popular around the holidays. These boxes can fit in a stocking and they are less overwhelming than the boxes with eight to 12 spices. Prices for the smaller sets range from $11.95 to $49.95.

The shop also has recipe cards and ideas for how to use various spices. If you find a recipe you like, grab the accompanying spices and start putting your gift together.

Once you have your recipe and your spices, collect the other required ingredients.You can leave out the basic items that the recipient likely already has, like salt, butter and milk. It may be easiest to simply include the dry ingredients, especially if your gift is going to be sitting out for a while or if you want the recipient to have unlimited time to try out the recipe.

The gift that could give back For the friend who likes to cook, consider an all-inclusive package to create a dish. Inevitably, some time in the next year, you’ll get an invitation to dinner, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to taste the final product.

December 8, 2011 21

22 December 8, 2011

Gift Guide II 2011 Boulder Weekly

Thursday, Dec. 8 / events It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

The Ride With Santa. 7 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

The SantaLand Diaries. 7:30 p.m.

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Friday, Dec. 9 / music A New Orleans Christmas — With the Hot 8 Brass Band. 7:30 p.m. Macky Auditorium, CU campus, 303-492-8008.

Sound Circle Solstice Concert. 7 p.m. Columbine Unity Church, 8900 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 1-800-838-3006. events Firefly Handmade Holiday Market at BMoCA. 6-10 p.m. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-2122.

Ghosts of Christmas Past. 7 p.m.

Historic Callahan House, 312 Terry St., Longmont, 303-776-3611.

It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

Longmont Lights Holiday Festivities. 5-8 p.m. Various locations, Longmont, 303-776-6050.

The Nutcracker — Presented by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985.

The Ride With Santa. 7 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

The SantaLand Diaries. 7:30 p.m.

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Saturday, Dec. 10 / music 2nd Annual Big Band Christmas Ball. 7 p.m. Boulder Elks Lodge, 2975 28th St., Boulder, www.1940sball.org.

December Vistas — Christmas with Ars Nova. 7:30 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine St., Boulder, 303-4993165.

Sound Circle Solstice Concert. 7 p.m. Columbine Unity Church, 8900 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 1-800-838-3006.

Trace Bundy’s 3rd Annual Acoustic Holiday Concert. 8 p.m.

Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030. events It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

Gingerbread Tea. 12 p.m. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-4069696.

Holiday Bazaar Tea — Local artisan and crafter showcase. 12-1:30 p.m. Hotel

Boulder Weekly

photo courtesy of Peter Wayne

The 2nd Annual Big Band Christmas Ball will be held Dec. 10.

Holiday Events Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303442-4344.

Longmont Lights Holiday Parade.

5-8 p.m. Main St., Longmont, 303-776-6050.

The Nutcracker — Presented by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985.

The Ride With Santa. 7 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

The SantaLand Diaries. 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Stories on Stage — Making Merry. 2 p.m. The Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-440-7826.

Sunday, Dec. 11 / music The Christmas Revels — 11th Anniversary Production, with Rocky Mountain Revels. 1 p.m. & 6 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-7867030.

Sound Circle Solstice Concert. 2 p.m. Columbine Unity Church, 8900 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 1-800-838-3006. events Boulder Holiday Gift Festival — Holiday art, craft and gift show. 12 – 6 p.m.

Boulder Elks Lodge, 3975 28th St., Boulder, 720-272-7467.

Gingerbread Tea. 12 p.m. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-4069696.

It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 2 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

Gift Guide II 2011

Mojo’s Music Academy Holiday Party. 5 p.m. Mojo’s Music Academy, 1350 Ken Pratt Blvd #1, Longmont, 303-7763373.

The Ride With Santa. 2 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

The Nutcracker — Presented by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 2 p.m. Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985.

Nutcracker Tea — A benefit for the Boulder Ballet. 12 p.m. Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303-442-4344.

The SantaLand Diaries. 4 p.m. Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 / events The SantaLand Diaries. 7:30 p.m.

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Thursday, Dec. 15 / events Colorado Trail Foundation Holiday Reception. 4-7 p.m. American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden, ctf@coloradotrail.org.

It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

The SantaLand Diaries. 7:30 p.m.

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Friday, Dec. 16 / music Christmas Faves — P’zazz Children’s Choir and Dynamix Singers. 7 p.m.

Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield, 720-542-9209.

December Vistas — Christmas with Ars Nova. 7:30 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine St., Boulder, 303-4993165.

Festivity. 7:30 p.m. Boulder Chamber Orchestra, First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine St. Boulder, www.boulderchamber orchestra.com. events It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

The Nutcracker — Presented by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985.

The Ride With Santa. 7 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

Silver & Gold — A Holiday Extravaganza. 7 p.m. Naropa University, Performing Arts Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, www.brownpapertickets.com.

Soul 2 Solstice. 7:30 p.m. The Rock N Soul Cafe, 5290 Arapahoe Blvd., Ste. 1, Boulder, 303-446-5108.

Saturday, Dec. 17 / music The Christmas Revels — 11th Anniversary Production, with Rocky Mountain Revels. 1 p.m. & 6 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-7867030.

Festivity. 7 p.m. Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Jefferson Unitarian, 14350 W. 32nd Ave., Golden, www.boulderchamberorchestra.com.

Winter Solstice Concert — With Jayme Stone and friends. 8 p.m. Chautauqua Community House, 900 Baseline Rd., Boulder, 303-442-3282. events It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

Gingerbread Tea. 12 p.m. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-4069696.

Holiday Bazaar Teas — Local artisan and crafter showcase. 12-1:30 p.m. Hotel See HOLIDAY EVENTS Page 24

December 8, 2011 23

Mountain Getaways of the rockies

HOLIDAY EVENTS from Page 23

Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303442-4344.

Last Chance Gift Fest. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont, 720-272-7467.

The Nutcracker — Presented by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985.

The Ride With Santa. 7 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

The SantaLand Diaries. 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Sunday, Dec. 18 / events Gingerbread Tea. 12 p.m. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-4069696.

It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 2 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

Nutcracker Tea — A benefit for the Boulder Ballet. 12 p.m. Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303-442-4344.

The Nutcracker — Presented by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. 2 p.m. Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Denver, 303-450-3985.

The Ride With Santa. 2 p.m. Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-5200.

The SantaLand Diaries. 4 p.m. Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Monday, Dec. 19 / events Festivals of Light. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-2122.

Tuesday, Dec. 20 / events Festivals of Light. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-2122.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 / music White Christmas — Presented by Colorado Caroling Company. 7:30 p.m.

Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303665-2757. events Festivals of Light. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-2122.

Thursday, Dec. 22 / events The SantaLand Diaries. 7:30 p.m.

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Friday, Dec. 23 / events It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 7 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554.

The SantaLand Diaries. 7:30 p.m. Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Saturday, Dec. 24 / events It’s a Wonderful Life — Presented by Colorado Shakespeare Festival. 2 p.m.

University Theatre, CU campus, 303-4920554 The SantaLand Diaries. 1 p.m & 4 p.m.

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303-665-1841.

Sunday, Dec. 25 / events Christmas Buffet. 12-4 p.m. Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303442-4344.

Christmas Champagne Brunch. 10 a.m. Jill’s Restaurant, St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-406-9696.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 / music Yonder Mountain String Band. 8 p.m.

Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030.

Thursday, Dec. 29 / music Yonder Mountain String Band. 8 p.m.

Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030.

Friday, Dec. 30 / music New Year’s Eve Eve — Feat. She Groovez. 7:30 p.m. Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303-665-2757.

Yonder Mountain String Band. 8 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030.

Saturday, Dec. 31 / music G. Love & Special Sauce. 9 p.m. Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303-4433399.

New Year’s Celebration — With the Homeslice Band. 6:30 p.m. & 10 p.m. Nissi’s, 2675 N. Park Dr., Lafayette, 303-665-2757.

Yonder Mountain String Band. 8 p.m. Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303-786-7030. events Gingerbread Tea. 12 p.m. St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-4069696.

New Year’s Eve Dance Party — Ballroom dance. 8 p.m. The Avalon, 6185 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder, 303-449-5962.

New Year’s Eve Dinner. 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jill’s Restaurant, St. Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-406-9696.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. 8 p.m. Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303-442-4344.

New Year’s Eve Dance — With music

by The Hot Tomatoes. 8 p.m. Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-449-5962.

NYE at BMoCA. 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, 303-443-2122.

Creative, conscious ideas for your holiday gift giving