Spread some holiday joy this season by giving unique, food-focused gifts. Colorado has so many great artisans, writers, chefs and other creators making quality goods that all of your loved ones will appreciate. Or just send a gift as a thank-you to someone who has helped you through this pandemic. With these ten gifts, you can shop locally and support the community while sharing something meaningful, delicious and useful.  
  
Barrel Stave Marshmallow Roasting Stick, $12.50
Now that the fire ban has been lifted, we can rejoice at home around the fire pit. But what's a roaring fire without s'mores, or at least toasted marshmallows? These sturdy sticks are made with repurposed wine-barrel staves and measure forty inches long. The wood from the wine barrel makes up the finished handle, creating a safe way to get those sweet treats into the fire. Order online at alpinewinedesign.com; because these are handmade, supplies are limited. 
A Bite of Boulder Cookbook, $29.99
Give the gift of knowledge with the first-ever A Bite of Boulder cookbook. Released this November, the cookbook was created by First Bites Boulder and Jessica Benjamin as a way to celebrate local restaurants during a time when they're struggling. There are more than a dozen recipes, along with beautiful photos and quotes from chefs and restaurateurs. And when you give one of these unique cookbooks, a portion of the sale goes back to the eateries featured. Order online or head to Cured, Peppercorn or Savory Spice Shop, all in Boulder, to pick one up.
Bits & Pieces Dry Rubs, Starting at $10
Stuff a stocking with the flavors of Mexico, carefully blended and curated by chef Orlando Benavidez, owner of the popular Bits & Pieces Con Cerveza food truck. Each 3.7-ounce jar contains fresh spices with varying degrees of heat, such as the spicy Main Squeeze Chile Limon Salt or the Smoked Out BBQ, or the less spicy Mexican Jerk or Lime ’N Pepper. Labels include tips on how to use the spices to liven up your favorite foods. There are six options altogether, available on the Bits & Pieces website or from the Spice Guy. Or you can purchase them at Element Knife Company inside Stanley Marketplace or at Pochitos Tortilla Factory, 4421 Tejon Street. 
Glow in the Dark Gobblebox From the Inventing Room, $55
If a treasure chest of sweet treats that glow in the dark aren't on your kid's Santa wish list, it's only because they don't know about it yet. Send a truly unique snack to any sugar lover from the Inventing Room Dessert Shop in Sloan's Lake. The glow-in-the-dark Gobblebox includes treats that exude luminous colors under black light (included in the package), all created in-house by chef Ian Kleinman. Each box contains organic raspberry cotton candy, lollipops shaped like a Game Boy, Etch-a-Sketch, Harry Potter frog and two mystery shapes, plus honeycomb candy, a birthday-cake marshmallow and unicorn pop rocks. You can also choose to add other treats to the blocks (though the other selections don't glow). The shop is currently closed to visitors, but treats can be ordered online for delivery, with free shipping on orders over $49.
Grillmaster Set From the Local Butcher, $20
Head to the Denver Central Market, at 2669 Larimer Street, for a great stocking stuffer perfect for home grillers. The Local Butcher, inside the market, has put together a kit of grill accessories that includes a sleek Escali digital thermometer and a bottle of Bad Byron's Butt Rub, a gluten-free, all-purpose seasoning blend of onion, garlic, salt, paprika, chipotle and pepper. The kit is a little reminder that it's never too cold to grill, and adding on a Local Butcher gift certificate will just make this gift even better. Buy yours in person or order for delivery. The Local Butcher also has a location at 2242 Oneida Street; call 303-974-1020 for details.