Are you late on your holiday shopping, or is it just the right time for you to hit up the stores? Let us provide you with a little guidance this holiday season! We asked some of our MCA Denver staff to share their favorite local shops and top holiday picks from the MCA Denver Shop where you can find some unique gifts for others, or for yourself!

Lacey Manuel - Shop Manager & Buyer

What holiday song gets you into the festive spirit? 

 “Polly” by Moses Sumney

Share your favorite small or local business for finding unique gifts and why?

 Hope Tank is my go-to shop for gift-giving. They have a wide selection of items and what's even better, a portion from every item sold goes to various charities. Giving back is so important, especially during the Holiday season. 

What would be a gift you’d love to give or adore receiving from the MCA Denver Shop? What do you love about this product? 

Well, besides literally every item in the shop ( I may be biased), my favorite gift at the moment is the 'Maybe' Mirror Mask from Areaware. Home accessories always make great gifts and I just feel like no one would be upset receiving a cutie mirror like this one! 

Community support is always important! What is a charity or local donation drive you would like to highlight? 

The Gathering Place is the only daytime drop-in center in metropolitan Denver that serves women, transgender individuals, and their children who are experiencing poverty, many of whom are also experiencing homelessness.

Rachel Grammes - Marketing & Content Coordinator

What holiday song gets you into the festive spirit?  

Definitely "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" by the one and only Ella Fitzgerald.

Share your favorite small or local business for finding unique gifts and why? 

I absolutely love giving and receiving a bouquet of flowers, and Sacred Thistle is my go-to. Sacred Thistle is a mother-daughter duo, and their arrangements are sculptural and artful, often inspired by the Japanese art of flower arranging, "Ikebana." Not only do they create flower arrangements, but they also have an absolutely stunning store with ceramics, art-objects, books, earthy scents, and more. I'd love to be gifted absolutely anything from Sacred Thistle! 

What would be a gift you’d love to give or adore receiving from the MCA Denver Shop? What do you love about this product? 

This is seriously hard! There are so many giftable, accessibly priced items in the museum shop. I'll try and limit myself to three items...let's see. I would love to receive our pretty Chess Set. I'm trying to get better at chess and it's hard to find a reasonably priced, aesthetically pleasing Chess Set, and this one fits the bill! In terms of products I would love to give, I'd say one of our Baggu bags (I use mine all the time) or one of our many books! I think gifts that have utility, longevity, and have an experience attached to them are the best!  

Community support is always important! What is a charity or local donation drive you would like to highlight? 

There are so many folks that face food insecurity in our community, and fresh produce and healthy food is out of reach due to the price. One of the ways I believe we can seek justice and equity is through systems of mutual aid. Fresh Food Connect tackles food insecurity by linking home gardeners with hunger relief organizations. Their mission is to "create a more healthy, sustainable, and local food system by creating a market for homegrown food."

Kaitlyn Lafferty - Visitor Services Associate 

What holiday song gets you into the festive spirit?  

“Christmas Treat” by Juilan Casablancas

Share your favorite small or local business for finding unique gifts and why? 

I like to read, so a book is the best gift for me. Especially if it is used and loved. One of my favorite places to go and get lost in is Fahrenheit’s Books. If you are buying for a reader, spending your time here for a unique book that is specific to their interests is a good idea. Another local store is Kilgore Books & Comics, which has a great comics and zine section.  

What would be a gift you’d love to give or adore receiving from the MCA Denver Shop? What do you love about this product? 

I would die if someone bought me the Carly Owens rainy cloud earrings (although my ears aren't pierced, but maybe I'd get them pierced to wear these!).  

Community support is always important! What is a charity or local donation drive you would like to highlight?  

You should donate to Color Latina! With Roe V Wade being contested in the Supreme Court this awesome organization is looking toward making sure Colorado and neighboring regions have continued access to the full spectrum of reproductive health and family planning options. . 

Carolyn Badalucco -  Manager on Duty - Visitor Services

What holiday song gets you into the festive spirit? 

 "Mele Kalikimaka" by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters

Share your favorite small or local business for finding unique gifts and why? 

I love shopping at Conifer, located on Blake Street!  They have a beautifully curated collection of handcrafted products from makers across the United States. Plus, they are offering four carefully styled gift boxes for the holidays! Gift box 01 is my personal favorite. The shop offers shipping, but also local pickup for those last-minute gifts.

What would be a gift you’d love to give or adore receiving from the MCA Denver Shop? What do you love about this product? 

This year, my sister will be the lucky recipient of multiple pairs of Such A 4 earrings (shhh, don't tell her!). I love the playful styles and colors and that no two pairs are identical! Gabrielle Soliz, the maker behind the brand, will be at the MCA's Makers Market on December 17th (RSVP for free here)! Check out the styles we currently have at the MCA Denver shop here, and get free shipping on orders over $75.

Community support is always important! What is a charity or local donation drive you would like to highlight?  

The Denver Cat Rescue works to transport cats from kill-shelters across the South to the Denver Metro Area, where adoption demand is higher. They transport an average of 100 cats each month and are building a wide foster network. Adorable adoptable cats can be found at its sister organization, a cat cafe called Denver Cat Company. Check out their Instagram for all of the cute cat antics and for adoption success stories! They accept donations here and here or you can give a membership to the cat cafe here for the animal lover in your life!

This holiday season, shop local and support your local artists and creators. Visit the MCA Denver Shop online or in-person for your holiday shopping. 

Come and check out our Makers Market on Friday, December 17 from 5PM-9PM where you can shop makers like Lux + Luca, Kind & Funny, Good Hearted Woman Ceramics, Carly Owens, Wooly Wax Candles, Such A 4, and Jojo's Sriracha. Click here to RSVP.