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ersions Word Search - Jonathan Baile Find the words in the list below hiding across, backwards, up, down and diagonally in the grid. ords separated by a slash “/” are found individually in the puzzle. ords in parentheses “( )” are not in the puzzle. The unused ers starting at top left and going down by row will reveal more about him!
Othello,/American/Psycho (Company,) Cock,/Richard II Off The/Hook (2009 Sitcom) Final/Fantasy/XIV (2017-24) Leonardo (&)/Groove/High Broadchurch (2013-15) W1A (2014-17 on BBC2) Crashing (2016 Series) Bridgerton (2020-pres) Fellow/Travelers (2023) orld/Rebirth icked (2024 as)/Fiyero icked:) For Good (‘25) Founded/Shameless/Fund isibility)
People (Magazine 2025) Sexiest/Man Alive
Visit DiversionsPuzzles.net for
Homo NEW EAR AND A MERRY KRAMPUS,
Have you been good this year, or oh-sonaughty? Will you be getting cannabis treats and couture bags in your stockings, or creepy talismans from the Krampus?
is year, we’re serving you Christmas Krampus Realness with a side of the naughty boys and girls he punishes—featuring yours truly and the iconic Void Phlux as the children, and the unstoppable Seven Coveney as Krampus! I don’t know about you, but fur and horns have never looked so good.
Legend has it that the Krampus used to stu naughty children in their sack. So unless you’re into that kind of thing, take this as your warning. If you don’t keep supporting independent, queer media and check out some of the awesome goodies we have for you this year, you just might end up on the naughty list, and it has a lot more consequences than Santa’s list.
If our list of goodies left you still feeling naughty, you don’t have to wait til June to strap on (ahem) the horns and harness and head to the club. We are partnering with Lavender Hill this year on their rst-ever Winter Pride initiative. Peep some of the cool events that are happening this winter—We’ll be there with bells on, just like Krampus.
So there we have it—Happy holidays, and stay naughty!
-Addison Herron-Wheeler
Photo by Becky Du yhill
SUNDAE SCHOOL IS Serving Korean Cannabis THE TEA.
By Rose Eden
Sway of making everything feel a little softer, heritage, and a wink toward chilling out, which makes them an easy pick
more human. e brand to move too fast. eir community shows up for them with real love, and they return it with intention, joy, and the occasional surprise avor drop. For our gift guide, I caught up with Community Relations Manager Ashley Zhang to talk about what they’re excited for this year, what they’re dreaming up for early 2026, and why slowing down together still matters.
DESIGN
AND PRODUCT?
reinterpret Korean heritage for the
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FROM SUNDAE SCHOOL?
We’re excited to get everyone high and merry for the holidays! We hope people can take the break they deserve, whether that means snuggling up in a
cozy eece or taking a gummy to relax and unwind this holiday season. WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO of life and help people feel at ease, condent, and true to themselves.
ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING LAUNCHES OR COLLABORATIONS WE SHOULD KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR IN THE NEW YEAR?
We do have some exciting collaborations coming next year for Lunar New Year and onwards! Soon you'll be able to nd us everywhere, in your drinks and in your hair!
HOW DOES THE BRAND STAY CONNECTED TO AND SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY?
Community is the heart of Sundae School—We occasionally pop up in
di erent cities, and it's always such a pleasure to see people show up who have supported us from the beginning. Sometimes people know more about our products than some members of the team! To pay back such loving support from our community, many of whom are POCs and immigrants or come from immigrant families alike, we frequently contribute portions of our sales to charity organizations like CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), Doctors Without Borders, Homeless Black Trans Women Fund, and many more.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LOVE READERS TO KNOW RIGHT NOW?
We have a lightweight and heavyweight pack promotion running right now for our mochi lovers! We're also working on a Yakult avor.
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Follow Sundae school for more @sundae.school.
Favorite
by Julie River
it’s a surprisingly good time for queer music. Working as a music journalist, I’m always excited when I see queer artists starting to blow up, which happens
more and more these days.
Julie River's of 2025 Que Records
that made their rst album so great.
that made their rst album so great. Easily one of my favorite up-and-comers in the punk scene right now, I can’t wait to see Sprints get as much recognition as they deserve.
While my overall best of 2025 list will appear elsewhere in another publication, I wanted to do a quick round-up of my favorite records of the year that speci cally came from LGBTQ+ artists. My primary interest is in punk rock, but I tried to expand past that at least a little bit on my list. So, in no particular order (don’t make me rank my favorite queers), here’s my favorite LGBTQ+ albums to come out this year.
Destiny Bond - The Love
Trans-fronted, Denver-based, hardcore punk band Destiny Bond kind of blew up on the hardcore scene this year with their sophomore album, e Love at’s a weird title for a hardcore punk album, but it strangely works, as the album really is focused on the power of love, not in a u y, hippy-ish sort of way, but in the way that love becomes the core of who we are and what we’re willing to ght for. With a touch of 80s-style hardcore in the mix, this stands out as one of the best hardcore albums I’ve gotten to listen to all year.
Sprints - All That is Over
Irish queer post-hardcore band Sprints won me over last year with their queer coming-of-age album Letter to Self, particularly with their infectious queer love song “Literary Mind” that took o as a single. One year later, and they’re back with All at is Over, an album that slows down the tempo a smidge but manages never to lose the passion
Laura Jane Grace in the Trauma TropesAdventure Club
While this album was marred by controversy and a divorce that spilled out onto the internet as fans took sides between Laura Jane Grace and her then-wife, Paris Campbell—both of whom did some of the writing on this album—regardless of your feelings on the situation, Adventure Club stands as probably the best Laura Jane Grace album since her band Against Me! broke up. And the lead single, “Your God (God’s Dick),” which kicked up some controversy itself with some pearl-clutching Republicans after it was performed at a Bernie Sanders rally, is an instant classic to add to Grace’s repertoire of great singles.
wait to see Sprints get as much recognialbum, but
Um, Jennifer? - Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark
Trans-centric punk-tinged indie rock band Um, Jennifer? really made a bold statement with their debut album Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark, which really sums up the trans experience with catchy hooks and sharp wit. You have to appreciate their clever lyrics, like in “Girl Class,” where they explain the deceptively simple process of becoming a girl: “Step 1: Say you’re a girl. Step 2: You are a girl.” It’s a really fun album that’s super relatable to the queer community and makes it clear that Um, Jennifer? are one of the biggest and best queer artists on the rock scene.
I was turned onto Los Angeles-based synth-punk act Agender early this year when I ended up interviewing them for another publication. eir newest , is short but sweet, packing a lot of punch into just 23 minutes and really bringing the queer girl experience to the front and center of their music. My particular favorite track is the album closer “I Need a Break from the U.S.A.,” which draws on both the queer experience and the immigrant experience living in Trump’s America. Without a doubt, this is one of the most fun albums I have had the pleasure of listening to this year.
Changeline
I was tickled when transgender rapper Changeline came across my Instagram feed one day. Her irreverent sense of humor and deft rhyme skills really scratch my hip-hop itch. I may not have the same love for hip-hop that I have for punk rock, but I do love a good rap album every now and then, and it’s great to hear one that’s actually pro-queer as opposed to some of the hateful stu that gets churned out in mainstream rap. Hopefully, the Instagram algorithm keeps showing her o to people who will be receptive to her work because Changeline deserves to grow in popularity.
Nicole Sophia - Feral
Another little-known, up-and-coming artist who just happened to come across my Instagram feed one day, queer indie pop artist Nicole Sophia caught my attention with their glittery
eyebrows (how do you make eyebrows glittery?) and kept my attention with their pop hooks, powerhouse vocals, and slight rock edge. I also appreciate how unapologetically sexual this album is. With songs like “Sex on the Internet” and “Meet Me in the Bathroom,” Sophia absolutely earns her album title. But, at the same time, the sexual songs often talk about communicating with each other about how each person wants to be touched or kissed, which is a really mature way of looking at consent. Go listen to Feral right now so you can say that you knew Nicole Sophia before she blew up.
Cheap PerfumeDon’t Care. Didn’t Ask.
Knowing little about the identities of the members of Colorado’s best punk band out there, Cheap Perfume, I had
to ask lead vocalist Stephanie Byrne if they were agreeable to me labeling them as a queer artist for this list (they were). But regardless, Don’t Care. Didn’t Ask. has been one of my heaviest rotation albums of the year. With searing left-wing and feminist politics, one love song, one song about touring, and a kick-ass Andrew W.K. cover, this is one of the most outright fun and blazingly furious albums to come out all year. It’s the third record from this band and seems to be getting more press than the rst two, so it seems likely that Cheap Perfume are about to blow up on the national punk scene.
Middle-Aged QueersTheater of Shame
Call it playing favorites if you want, since Middle-Aged Queers have been good friends of OFM for quite a few
years now, but even if I wasn’t Facebook friends with MAQ’s frontman Shaun “Shauners” Osburn, I would still probably have eater of Shame on my list. e band’s ability to oscillate between something fun one moment and something serious the next—like imagining a pajama party on one track and talking about the history of the AIDS crisis on the next—shows an impressive range that few bands possess. I’ve been a fan since the band’s debut LP Too Fag for Love in 2020, and I think eater of Shame might be their most exciting and cohesive collection of songs to date.
at’s my list for 2025, but with so many queer artists on the rise, I’m sure that 2026 will be an equally awesome year for queer music, and I’ll have just as many, if not more, awesome albums to fall in love with next year.
by Addison Herron-Wheeler
PULLING BACK CURTAIN THE
JOSIAH HESSE'S 'ON FIRE FOR GOD' UNPACKS THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT AND WORKING-CLASS TRAUMA
In January 2026, beloved Denver author and former OFM journalist and Suspect Press owner Josiah Hesse will release his book, On Fire for God: Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right, a deep dive into his experience as an ex-evangelical and a searing analysis of the Christian right's impact on working-class families over the past century. Hesse, known for his previous works including the Carnality series, books that touch on the same topic from a ction angle, and Runner’s High, a non ction book about cannabis and exercise, is back with his most honest book to date.
e book’s origins began unexpectedly, focusing initially on class and the “disposable jobs” Hesse held in his 20s and early 30s. "Me and my agent were talking about all the minimum-wage jobs I had in my 20s and early 30s, jobs in factories, construction sites, restaurants, retail around 45 and all," Hesse recalls. is discussion quickly spiraled, necessitating an exploration of his religious upbringing.
"I had a lot of religious trauma," Hesse explains. "Growing up, I was preparing for the end of the world. I was more concerned about avoiding hell and not being left behind during the rapture than I was about algebra or history."
Hesse, raised a fundamentalist, felt compelled to "shut down those critical thinking skills" because "your salvation, your ticket to heaven, is based on your belief. So you have to maintain that belief in something (that) it's very di cult to believe in if you have critical thinking skills." e book expands on this foundation, tracing the evangelical in uence back through the ages, using his family’s story as "a through-line to talk about how the Christian right has impacted working-class families going back a century."
tion since 2015 has been, "How can evangelicals support Trump? He is so clearly not a Christian." For Hesse, having grown up in that world, it was not as mystifying. He uses the classic American play e Music Man, set in his Iowa hometown, as a key analogy. e story features a con man who "comes to town and is looking for something to stir up trouble with, to spread fear and outrage among the people."
"He swindles people out of their money by drumming up fear of the other, and I was able to weave that story into the 100 years of history, showing how these con men have been doing this over and over, generation after generation," says Hesse.
He sees this manipulation through fear and shame at work across political gures, noting how people can be manipulated "to surrender their values, be very exible with their beliefs, based on this cult of personality."
THE VISCERAL EXPERIENCE OF AN EVANGELICAL YOUTH
Hesse hopes the book serves a dual purpose: a historical/journalistic pulling back of the curtain for intellectual understanding and a memoir to create a "visceral understanding of what young evangelicals go through." He shares that he believed with an intensity that led to a "feverish preoccupation with sin and what was called supernatural warfare, or spiritual warfare."
of constant high alert, being told, "You probably won't live to see adulthood. e tribulation from the book of Revelation will probably transpire around the year 2000."
THE ECONOMICS OF EVANGELICALISM
e book highlights the economic exploitation intertwined with religious life. "Economics are just as much a pillar of this book as religion and politics, and then also mental health," Hesse states, detailing how institutions prey on poor people.
Hesse's family was caught in the "prosperity gospel," the belief that donations would yield a "tenfold harvest." He recounts his parents, who ran their own businesses, tithing on their gross income, "and one year, they ended up giving as much money to the church as they took home as a family."
Beyond money, the church demands labor, aligning with what he calls the "Protestant work ethic"—a convoluted theology where "enjoyment of hard work" became an identi er of one "predestined for heaven." is led to a culture where people were "taught to fetishize exhaustion," with his own mother working herself "into a kind of literal madness, working around the clock and volunteering for everything."
UNDERSTANDING THE MAGA MOVEMENT AND THE 'CON MAN' ARCHETYPE
Hesse notes that a constant ques-
As he went through puberty and realized he was attracted to both boys and girls, he viewed his identity through a demonic lens. "I viewed it through a supernatural lens," he says. e preoccupation extended to current events. Recalling the 1993 David Koresh Waco, Texas stando , he says, "I really believe that there was something prophetic happening."
Hesse’s diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD provided further insight into his childhood hyper-vigilance. While his brother “just didn't really believe it,” Hesse admits, “I thought about it every second of every day.” He lived in a state
On Fire for God promises to be a timely and essential read, o ering a rare look behind the curtain of a powerful movement, one that may help explain the political and economic
Christmas in America has seemingly always been gingerbread houses, hot cocoa, decorations, trees, and of course, Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick. Once it hits November, you can’t go a mile without running into Santa imagery: movies, books, posters, plastic models outside homes. He’s everywhere, and canonically, he is watching you while you’re asleep. While we don’t nd this scary, there is another mythical Christmas gure that chills us deep in our bones: Krampus.
by Erin McCormic
If, like me, you only found out about Krampus in the 2015 movie of the same name, you probably aren’t aware of the
actual lore behind the gure itself. So here is a breakdown on Krampus and all you need to know about the creature and his cult of personality.
Who exactly is this elusive Krampus character? While Saint Nick, or Santa Claus, is traditionally clothed in red attire with blushed cheeks and gives toys to well-behaved children, Krampus is a monstrous creature of European legend. Half-goat, half-demon, instead of rewarding children, he punishes them for misbehaving during this festive time of year. Clad with horns and fangs, he’s just a bit less photogenic and friendly-looking than American Christmas characters. (Except our Krampus—He’s a looker!)
It's I Giving GKr K a m pu u
s
His appearance is more than just the horns and fangs. He shows up as an anthropomorphic creature with hooves and a tail, covered in fur. His yellow, reptile-like eyes and long, slithering red tongue are reminiscent of a snake.
The exact location of Krampus’ origin is still debated, though it is widely accepted that he originates from some region of central Europe. Some believe that he comes from Austria’s Alpine region during the time of pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. Others believe he is from Germany, claiming his name derives from the German word for claw, Krampen.
When Christian traditions of Saint Nicholas became more prominent, Krampus became associated with the jolly man. When Saint Nick would arrive, so would Krampus, serving as his sinister partner. If Santa is the good cop, then Krampus is most de nitely the bad cop.
Because of the association with Santa Claus, the German legend writes that he would arrive on Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) or December 5, the day right before Saint Nicholas’ Day, where good German children are rewarded with gifts and sweets stu ed in their boots. Though Krampus would come with Santa, he wouldn’t leave any gifts.
Rather, the demon gure would storm into towns, whipping his bundle of birch sticks at naughty children. He’d lash chains and bells, kidnapping the disobedient children and dragging them to the underworld. If I were a little German child during this time, I would be on my absolute best behavior. I would much rather take a good ol’ American sack full of coal than literally being beaten and dragged to hell. But that’s just me.
Today, Alpine countries continue celebrating Krampusnacht with the festivity of Krampuslauf, or the “Krampus run.” is tradition combines the best part of celebrations: drinking alcohol, dressing up, and chasing people around. Beginning as a way to preserve cultural heritage in the late 20th century, Krampus runs grew popular in Austria and Germany.
People don demonic masks—sometimes made of traditional Swiss Pine wood—and costumes of Krampus and parade down a town’s street or square, jangling bells, running, strutting, and jumping at the audience, often playfully whipping older kids and adults with birch branches or icking whips at them.
is is also an occasion to enjoy mulled wine and eat roasted chestnuts while spending time with friends and family.
Despite his consistent popularity across Europe, Krampus’ in uence didn’t signi cantly reach the U.S. until the late 90s and early 2000s, mostly thanks to an art director and graphic designer from Chicago named Monte Beauchamp. He saw the character for the rst time through pre-World War I postcards and decided to feature some of them in his art magazine BLAB. e issue was met with resounding support and eventually snowballed into Beauchamp creating a book compounding the Krampus postcards.
Largely due to that book, Krampus imagery has become increasingly associated with American celebrations of Christmas, compounding into more widely known re-tellings in the U.S., including several film adaptations, appearances in TV shows, and even in a few video games and musicals.
Two more Krampus lms are in development as of my writing this, one of them being by Walden Media and e Jim Henson Company!
If you’re more of an event person, don’t worry; you don’t have to rely on media to get your Krampus fill. While here in Denver, we don’t have a designated Krampuslauf, we do have several other annual Krampus-themed winter events. The haunted house Thirteenth Floor usually does a Krampus-themed fright house in the month of December. ere is often a Krampus at Kristkindlemart, the downtown German market, and OFM will be throwing our own event on December 13 at Stanley Marketplace featuring a queer Santa, a DJ, and a family-friendly Krampus show.
Additionally, there is a Denver Krampus Konvention this coming December. Run by DarknessCon, a convention group focused on horror, this “Konvention” markets itself as a spooky event with crafts and vendors, encouraging cosplay and costumes. It will provide photo opportunities with Santa and Krampus himself.
There is something about queerness that makes us seemingly predisposed to loving all things horror, whether it be the content in general or the freedom to express ourselves outside of heteronormative society. With Halloween sometimes even being referred to as “Gay Christmas,” it’s no wonder that we’re drawn to interesting, frightening characters like Krampus.
So, if you’re feeling a little sad and missing Halloween this coming winter season, maybe tune in to some Krampus media or go to an event for that same terrifying (yet oddly comforting) thrill!
Krampus’ NAUGHTY LIST
e endlessly quotable movie was actually written by beloved ‘80s teen movie master John Hughes, who let his vulgar side out for this one. It wasn’t his only Christmas movie, either, as he also wrote the rst three Home Alone lms and co-wrote the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street. But, while Home Alone 1 and 2 are memorable holiday classics, the adult fun of Christmas Vacation is de nitely deserving of our list. So once you empty out the shitter, maybe take a moment to sit down and enjoy this adult holiday classic one more time. Hallelujah, holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol?
Bad Santa
Most Christmas movies are made for kids, and for obvious reasons. People think of Christmas as a kids’ holiday, and family-friendly stories are the perfect ones to sit down and watch with family. But what about those of us who love the holiday season and don’t have kids? Where are our movies? Well, there aren’t as many of them, but they’re certainly out there. There could be one more if someone would fund my queer stoner Christmas comedy screenplay (I’m going to keep plugging that until someone does it), but until then, there’s still a few to enjoy.
So, for this holiday season, I wanted to do a round-up of my favorite holiday movies that are rated PG-13 or R so that all you childless Christmas lovers can have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. So here, in no particular order, is Krampus’ Naughty List.
OUR ROUND-UP OF THE BEST HOLIDAY MOVIES FOR ADULTS
By Julie River
National ChristmasLampoon’s Vacation
It would be hard to make this list without including the OG, one of the first
dirty Christmas movies ever made, and easily the best film in National Lampoon’s entire Vacation series. Following the plight of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he tries his hardest to have the kind of family Christmas he grew up with, hilarity ensues as everything goes wrong along the way. Chevy Chase may be a bit of a jerk in real life, but he does a great job of making Clark a relatable family man that you really feel for.
Many people would put this one down as the best adult Christmas movie of all time. While I don’t agree with it being the end-all-be-all of naughty Christmas movies, it certainly belongs on the list. Based on an idea thought up by the legendary lmmakers, the Coen Brothers, the brothers hired a separate writing team to bring the story to life.
Following the story of professional thieves Willie (Billy Bob ornton) and Marcus (Tony Cox), who pose as Santa and his elf, respectively, to rob a department store at Christmas, Thornton gives an unforgettable performance as the hard-drinking, sex-addicted, foulmouthed Santa.
Bad Santa has a little bit of heart, but is mostly remembered as a vulgar, depraved holiday classic. While the sequel fell sadly at, the original is so funny it will have you laughing until New Year's.
Black Christmas
Happiest Season
Let it not be said that my list is only interested in comedies, so let’s add one of the original holiday slasher films, Black Christmas, to the list. at’s the original 1974 version, of course, not either of the 21st-century remakes. e terrifying story of a group of sorority sisters being harassed by an obscene caller who eventually steps up his game and starts stalking and murdering the girls was actually directed and produced by Bob Clark, who famously co-wrote and directed A Christmas Story.
Besides being a quality slasher, it’s also a surprisingly progressive lm for its time, particularly in its frank discussions about abortion. And, despite being one of the lms to establish the archetype of the slasher movie, it actually eschews some of the more problematic slasher film conventions that would become popular in later decades, especially around the victims’ sexuality. So maybe spend this season curled up with a cup of cocoa and Black Christmas if you’re more interested in screaming than laughing.
While maybe not as vulgar as some of the other entries on my list, Happiest Season remains my favorite queerthemed Christmas movie to watch every holiday season. With an all-star cast featuring such queer superstars as Kristen Stewart, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, and Dan Levy, this lm is lesbian Christmas heaven. If you’re looking for something to watch this holiday season that feels inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community, there’s literally no better lm.
Following the story of Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Stewart), who have to pretend to not be a couple while visiting Harper’s family for the holidays, the lm draws on very real fears around coming out to your family. And, honestly, who can resist the sassiness of Dan Levy in any role? Some people nd Harper’s actions in the lm unforgivable, but personally, I understand her fears and cheer every time the lm reaches its inevitable happy conclusion. The now-five-year-old film has been teasing a sequel for a number of years, so hopefully we have that to look forward to at some point in the future.
The Night Before
Remember the time when Captain America, Robin, and e Green Hornet
got together for Christmas? This is a personal favorite of mine to watch every holiday season. e lm follows Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who tragically lost his parents when he was a teenager, so every Christmas, his two best friends, Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie), team up to spend a debaucherous Christmas Eve together. Now in their 30s, the trio is together for their last Christmas, and the drugs, shenanigans, and hilarity ensue.
Besides being a big load of pure adult fun, it’s also one of the most poignant lms on the entire list, with a satisfying character arc that leaves your heart warmed with the holiday spirit. Plus the chemistry between the three friends is irresistible. But nothing about this lm is half as satisfying as the sight of Seth Rogen having a drug freak-out in the middle of Midnight Mass. Add in a surprise cameo from Miley Cyrus, and this makes for one of the most spirited Christmas movies that isn’t appropriate to watch with children.
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There’s a few more adult Christmas films out there that you can find for your child-free movie marathon. So break out the booze (and maybe the pot) and have a very adult winter night in with these raunchy icks.
It’s like breakfast nostalgia and high-end weed had a beautiful, terpene-rich baby. With adjustable heat settings, this 3.5g powerhouse is perfect for stoners who want their clouds as curated as their Instagram feed. Stocking stu er status: unlocked.
Price: $40
Perfect Pack Machine Bundle
Price: $47
Because teaching a man to sh is cute, but teaching him to roll a perfect joint without an instruction manual? at’s a holiday miracle. Actually designed for cannabis (not your fraternity brother’s sad American Spirits roller, bless his heart), this machine packs cones tight all the way to the lter, meaning no ddling, no wasted weed, no shame. From fat holiday blunts to quick dog walks when you need a little ‘pu the magic dragon’ a la Greg Focker, this is the gift that saves time and face.
DaySavers Half Gram Christmas Edition White Artisan Pre-Rolls
Smoke Temple Cross Cone
Santa’s tired of cookies—He’s pu n’ on perfection this year. DaySavers took their classic Half Gram 1¼ Artisan Tubes and gave them a festive glow-up: spiral lters decked out in snowmen, gifts, and pure holiday mischief. Each pre-roll burns smoother than chestnuts on an open re and guarantees your holiday spirit stays lit (literally). Leave one out for St. Nick, and you’ll never get coal again.
is cross cone is part séance, part witches’ brew, and part Ozzy Osbourne—all rolled into one gothically ganja-full masterpiece. Complete with its own co n box, it’s like Fairuza Balk from e Craft crashing your ugly sweater party—only she brought the Pineapple Express boys along for the ride. More than a party trick, it burns smooth, hits heavy, and leaves your holiday crew wondering what kind of voodoo magic is packed inside. For your Ozzy-obsessed, Wednesday Addams-type friend, it’s goth glam meets ganja grisgris—and way more unforgettable than another band tee.
1g Mini Cross Cone (Co n Box Packaging): $4.99
3g Mini Cross Cone (Co n Box Packaging): $13
Raw Phoenix Lighter
Price: $9.99
Because it’s Merry Litmas, not Merry Bic-mas, the RAW Phoenix Lighter is basically Santa’s sleigh for stoners: windproof ame for dashing through the snow, a built-in poker to keep your cones burning bright like Rudolph, and a re llable body that outlasts the holiday hangover. With its no-slip grip and RAW-level cool, this lighter is TSA-approved for your carry-on (yep, you can travel with it), so the party goes wherever you do. Forget coal in the stocking; this is the gift that keeps every sesh merry and lit.
Photos by George Dolgikh, Nati, & Olia Danilevich
Crescent 9 10mg THC Drinks Variety Pack
Because showing up to the holiday party empty-handed is a crime ... ese Delta-9 THC seltzers pack a fast-acting 10mg punch and come in party-ready packs, so you’ll be the MVP this holiday season.
Includes 10mg of Crescent 9 Ginger Lemonade, Sour Watermelon, and Raspberry Lime.
Price: $65–$300 (12 packs, 24 packs, 72 packs)
Ellora
Price: $50
Price: $33–$90
***Samples available upon request
ere’s a new spirit this holiday season … Meet Ellora, the nonalcoholic THC spirit alternative that delivers the smooth sophistication of a premium liquor without the hangover. Let’s put it this way … If Sex and the City were set in 2025 (the OG), the gals would de nitely be sipping Ellora.
Zexi THC Water Variety Pack
(750mL bottle, 5mg THC per serving, 85mg per bottle) Vegan, all-natural, gluten-free, 28 calories per serving
e “I’m clean-living now” cousin still deserves a buzz. ese chic, calorie-free THC waters are basically LaCroix’s edgy sibling with subtle peach or pineapple avors, zero guilt, and a 15-minute onset—the perfect lift to survive holiday small talk.
*****Crescent Canna o ers an a liate program that allows a liates to earn commissions on all customer orders, not just new customer orders, with a 15% commission percentage and a 30-day cookie window.
Cartography x Housing Works Stoner Necklace Collection
“Stoner but make it Carrie Bradshaw." is dainty, yet powerful nameplate is ethically crafted and available in gold OR sterling silver. Plus, each purchase supports healthcare and housing for those most a ected by the war on drugs, making it the perfect choice for socially conscious bling.
Price:
Cartography x Housing Works Stoner Necklace
14k Gold
$1,200 (Available in 16”, 20” chain)
Cartography x Housing Works Stoner Necklace
Sterling Silver $155 (Available in 16”, 20” chain)
Oui’d Chef Extra Virgin Olive Oil + White Truffle Oil
Brownies are soooo 70's … e real culinary elevation comes in a drizzle. Oui’d Chef’s infused olive and tru e oils turn pizza, popcorn or even vanilla ice cream into a ve-star edible experience. Each 2oz bottle blends premium ingredients with justright THC dosing (8mg per serving) for a warm, steady high that feels more Michelin than munchies. ink “Yes, Chef” energy meets “I’ll take seconds.”
Currently available in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and White Tru e Oil 2oz (drizzle sauce mini bottles); 85mg per bottle, serving size 8.5mg (or a teaspoon).
Price:
2oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil $16
2oz White Tru e Oil: $22
Cozy Hits for Cold Nights:
Bonanza’s Limited-Edition Winter Flavors
Warm up your winter stash with Bonanza Cannabis Company’s limited-edition seasonal cartridges. e family-owned brand is rolling out two cozy 1G avors—Peppermint Kush and Milk & Cookies—crafted to bring a little comfort to cold, dark days. Both hybrids are designed for smooth, avorful pulls that pair perfectly with holiday movie nights, après-ski hangs, or low-key gatherings with friends. Wrapped in festive winter packaging and available only while supplies last in Colorado, New Mexico, and New York, these carts make an easy, giftable pick for the cannabis lover who appreciates quality, avor, and a little seasonal nostalgia.
With Love From Dialed In
Giving The Gift of Ease with
Dialed In’s limited-edition holiday batch, “With Love,” is a tribute to the cozy rituals and meaningful moments that de ne the season. Crafted in small batches and powered by solventless rosin, this release is wrapped in packaging inspired by classic gift tags and vintage wrapping paper, familiar textures that instantly evoke warmth, care, and togetherness.
Mind-RA's RA Body Wash
is holiday season, give the gift of ease with RA Body Wash by Mind-RA Mental Health Cosmetics. e rst-of-its-kind self-care solution is a pre-foamed, low-surfactant cleanser created to make hygiene calm, accessible, and stigma-free.
RA Body Wash supports individuals living with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression or neurodivergence by removing the friction that can make daily self-care overwhelming. Its gentle formula e ectively eliminates odor-causing bacteria for a clean, soothing experience. Available in a variety of vibrant colors, each bottle delivers a residue-free formula in just a few pumps, making self-care e ortless and empowering.
Designed to slip seamlessly into a stocking or sit beautifully under the tree, “With Love” is more than a seasonal avor; it’s a celebration of tradition and the people who make the holidays bright. oughtful, festive, and crafted with intention—With Love, from Dialed In.
Review Written by Aliyah Goldberg
Witches of Honeysuckle House
Witches of Honeysuckle House is the perfect book for dark fall vibes with a surprising edge. is novel focuses on sisters who must break a generational curse, alluding to themes of generational trauma and family healing. e main characters, Evie and Florence, face challenges that include love, family ties, magic, and a desire to control the unexplainable.
Each chapter drives forward a thought-provoking storyline, making the reader grow attached to the sisters and their quirks. The Honeysuckle House has a sentient life of its own. Evie, one of the sisters, converted the house into a bed and breakfast. e house turns on lights by itself, plays tricks on guests, brews tea by itself, and much more. The chapters told from the house's point of view thicken the storyline and create interest, making the house come to life as not only a home but a character in the story.
e author is a witch, herbalist, and tarot card reader, and this technical knowledge shines throughout the novel when the sisters explain candle dipping and the meaning of tarot cards. is helps teach about the world of witches.
is book is unapologetically human and deals with heavy topics such as child abuse, PTSD, and familial trauma. Although this book is cozy and witchy, it also addresses serious elements that are portrayed by the characters' su ering and their beginning to understand themselves and their family's curse throughout the book.
Liz Parker delivers a erce yet quiet story about not just magic, but pain, grief, and the emotional webbing of sisterhood, while also intertwining queer joy and love to make a story worth reading! So, settle in with a cup of your favorite tea and buckle up for an emotional, beautiful story full of love, light, queer joy, and a little bit of witchy magic!
Strong businesses are built with intention.
POSITION TO WIN. BUILD TO SELL. POSITION TO WIN. BUILD TO SELL. TO WIN. BUILD TO
THE 99ERS
SPORTS BAR
909 E. Colfax Ave, Denver
the99erssportsbar.com
BUDDIES
504 E. Colfax Ave, Denver buddiesdenver.com
CHAMPAGNE TIGER
601 E. Colfax Ave, Denver champagnetiger.com
CHARLIE'S NIGHTCLUB
900 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 839-8890
charliesdenver.com
DENVER EAGLE
5110 W. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 534-0500 Facebook @denvereaglebar
EL POTRERO
4501 E. Virginia Ave, Glendale (303) 388-8889
Facebook @elpotreroclub
GOOD JUDY’S
BAR & CLUB
103 N. 1st St. Grand Junction (970) 433-7115 good-judys.com
HAMBURGER MARY’S
1336 E. 17th Ave. Denver (303) 993-5812 hamburgermarys.com/denver
LADY JUSTICE BREWING
3242 S Acoma St. Englewood (303) 578-8226 ladyjusticebrewing.com
LIL' DEVILS
255 S. Broadway St. Denver (303) 733-1156 Facebook @lildevilslounge
BAR TAB
POISONED BY ME
1526 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 484-8548 poison-denver.com
THE PEARL 2199 California St, Denver thepearldenver.com Instagram @thepearldenver
TIGHT END BAR 1501 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 861-9103 tightendbar.com
TOWN HALL COLLABORATIVE
525 Santa Fe Dr, Denver (720) 389-7502 townhallcollaborative.com
TRACKS
3500 Walnut St. Denver (303) 836-7326 tracksdenver.com
TRADE
475 Santa Fe Dr, Denver (720) 627-5905 Facebook @tradedenver
WILD CORGI PUB
1223 E. 13th Ave, Denver (303) 832-7636 wildcorgipub.com
X BAR
829 E. Colfax Ave, Denver (303) 832-2687 xbardenver.com
#VYBE
1027 N. Broadway St, Denver (720) 573-8886 303vybe.com
Dear Friends
For nearly five decades, The Center on Colfax has been Denver’s LGBTQ+ community institution, a lifeline and gathering place. The services provided create safe, dedicated spaces for our youth, elder, and transgender communities. Engagement opportunities like Denver Pride fuel support for local queer-owned businesses and bring a broader community of allies together.
In spite of all of the great work we have done over the last half-century, we have to do more. Our community in Colorado is rapidly growing as individuals from all over the country migrate here. Our current facility faces a long list of needed improvements to make sure it is a safe space. And, our vision is to become even more of a resource. And, we need to do more to address these challenges while the hateful rhetoric in our country, particularly towards the transgender community, has reached a tipping point.
We’re asking for your support as we enter a new phase of our existence, committed to supporting the community now while it faces major challenges as well as over the next 50 years as we grow as a beacon of hope beyond Colorado. Please consider making a year-end contribution to The Center on Colfax and the next generation of Queer Liberation for Everyone.
