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For a dog-loving homeowner, a copper dog weathervane
They’re usually $412, but they’re only $200 at the first GI Designs warehouse sale in more than a year, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at 3835 Elm St., Suite D, 303-377-5323.
And copper weathervanes are just the tip of an inventory that also includes entry tables, planters, candle holders, copper urns, mirrors, picture frames, lighting fixtures, gazebos, trellises, arbors, decorative coat racks, original wildlife art and cupolas. The furniture, home accessories, lighting and garden decor created from GI Designs usually are sold chiefly to interior designers, landscape architects and through its Web site, www.gidesigns.net.
However, during this sale, locals will be able to buy regularly priced merchandise at 30 percent to 50 percent less than the prices on the site, and discounts on sale merchandise will be slightly higher than the current Web site discounts. Some items will be half price, which means that a few of the smaller things – picture frames, for example – will be as little as $5. At the other end of the price spectrum, a gazebo originally priced at $1,400 will go for around $700.
“It’s a great opportunity,” said Wayne Lewis, one of the company’s founders and its chief designer. “We haven’t opened up to the Denver public like this for a long time.”
For a teen mouse potato, a fantasy role-playing game
Games that involve interaction with non-virtual opponents who are breathing in the same room with your teen are available at $10 to $80 from Bonnie Brae Hobby Shop, 3421 S. Broadway, Englewood, 303-806-6526, www.bonniebraehobbyshop.com.
Hobby shop owners Wolf and Kathy Thye provide a community of gamers, with game nights Wednesday through Saturday, where people can make eye contact rather than screen contact. The Thyes don’t sell computer games, and that, combined with the struggling economy, is hitting the shop hard, says Wolf Thye. Still, his hardcore fans of “Dungeons and Dragons,” “Warhammer 40K” and “Magic: The Gathering,” continue to develop skills in building and painting the miniature pieces, probability, statistics, strategy and – perhaps most importantly – personal interaction.
“This is a good family shop,” said Thye. “We don’t allow cursing. We want to make this the best possible place for people to have a good, wholesome time. If you want to unplug your child, this is the place to come.”
For the woman who colors her own hair, a new do
The woman in your life wants to look her best for the holidays, and she’s also going to be busy, so it will be hard for her to find the time to dye her hair and clean up the mess. Through Jan. 30, a haircut, worth $35 or more, is free to new customers who also get any color service at Headlines: The Washington Park Salon, 284 S. Downing St., 303-777-9251, headlinessalon.net.
For the ‘Is it cold in here?’ woman in your life, a pashmina
We’re all trying to conserve heat during these winter days, but there’s no need to be uncomfortable or unstylish while doing it. A hand-woven, fair-trade wool and silk pashmina from Cambodia is just $40 from the Silks of Cambodia Trunk Sale, 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, and 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, or call for an appointment, at the home of Robert and Catherine Bayne, 70 W. Cedar Ave., 303-744-8810.
Similar pashminas made in Thailand, India or China can’t be had in the metro area for less than $100, and some sell for more than $200. There’s not much time to buy them on line, but if you tried, you wouldn’t do any better. Those non-Cambodian pashminas are $47.99 from overstock.com or the pashminastore.com. These pashminas, however, are hand-woven of the finest hand-grown, natural silk by Cambodian women using weaving and dying techniques passed down since the 7th century. All the pieces were purchased by Robert Bayne in Cambodian villages at fair-trade prices from the women who made them and hand carried to Denver. The proceeds help these artisans survive in a country that has endured decades of war and genocide.
And buying here is a whole lot more fun than being directed through a crowded parking structure by flashlight wielding “elves” in Santa hats. Here’s how a friend who went last year described the experience:
“Hey Janet - I love getting your newsletter. I went to the house at 70 W. Cedar to look at the silk scarves, bags etc. from Cambodia. LOVELY people, great products for a good cause. I did buy some presents, heard someone play harp and had a bite of a simply wonderful almond torte. Nice experience that I would not have know about except for your newsletter. Thanks for the info!!”
For the foodie in your life, a ristra wreath
Let’s talk multi-use. Hang this beautiful wreath on an inside door, then, come Jan. 2, take it down and grind the chiles into chile powder. They’re $35 at The Chili Guys, 5501 Federal Blvd, 303-455-4030, which also offers pinon nuts for $18.50 a pound and all varieties of frozen roasted green chiles at $5 for two pounds. Go to denvergreenchili.com/ristras.aspx to see photos of the wreaths, and to denvergreenchili.com/thechiliguys.aspx to print out coupon that will get you a 20 percent discount on everything you buy.
For a gardener, stainless steel digging tools
Special purchase Bugon & Ball stainless steel digging tools, regularly $57 to $65, $43 to $50 while supplies last at Birdsall & Co., 1540 S. Broadway, 303-722-2535, birdsallgarden.com.
Go to the Best Colorado Deals Website, BestColoradoDeals.com, to print out a coupon for 20 percent off any one item through Dec. 24. Do not be dismayed by the construction in front of the store; there’s ample parking behind the store, and you can enter through the back door.
And don’t miss these:
Angel Book Project, through Dec. 21, Kazoo & Company toy store, 2930 E. Second Ave., 303-322-0973, kazootoys.com.
A child who selects an angel star from the store’s Christmas tree will learn the name of a youngster selected by Denver Social Services who needs books. The child, with the help of a parent, then can select and purchase an age-appropriate book. Kazoo & Co. will make sure the designated child receives it and will donate an additional 10 percent of the total sum toward book purchases. (And congratulations to storeowner Diana Nelson, who was featured on “Good Morning America” on Monday, Dec. 14.)
Crocs Warehouse Sale, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 20, former J.C. Penney’s store, Twin Peaks Mall, 1250 S. Hover Road, (just north of the Diagonal Highway), Longmont, 1-866-3179, crocs.com.
Locals can buy samples, accessories, gear, bags, sandals, golf shoes and boots from this Niwot-based company for as little as $5 or $10. (And thanks to Laura and Claire of MileHighontheCheap.com for the heads-up.)
Door-to-Door Organics Holiday Gift Boxes, through Dec. 24, 303-297-3636.
Holiday Gift Boxes with themes such as Organic Buzz, Organic Sweetness, Organic Warmth, Organic Treats and Organic Love, are $29.99 each, with free shipping throughout the Front Range from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins and to Eagle and Steamboat Springs. Each box includes a $10 discount coupon for customers new to the Door-to-Door Organics service.
Old South Frame & Gallery Custom Wood Frame BOGO Sale, through Jan. 15, 1588 S. Pearl St., 303-715-3828, www.oldartgallery.com.
Bring a printed copy of the coupon on the BestColoradoDeals.com Web site to the gallery to purchase any custom wood frame and receive a second frame of equal or lesser value free. Mats, glass, mounting, fit and finish provided at the gallery’s standard, reasonable price.
The Printed Page Books for Food Drive, through Sunday, Dec. 20, 1416 South Broadway, 303-777-7653.
Printed Page Bookshop is giving away books – one for every non-perishable food item brought to the store before Dec. 20. The more food you bring in, the more books you can take home. Printed Page will give all food donations to East Denver FISH, a small, non-profit emergency food pantry that has operated continuously in the Washington Park area since 1974.
Urban Homesteading Indoor Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays, 200 Santa Fe Drive, www.denverurbanhomesteading.com.
High quality local foodstuffs from small local farmers and food purveyors dedicated to organic and sustainable practices.
A Very Larimer Christmas Holiday Party, Saturday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., all ages; 9 p.m. forward, 21 and up, The Meadowlark Lounge, 2507 Larimer St.
Mix, mingle and listen to cuts from the forthcoming Flobots record. Your voluntary donation supports the youth music programs of Flobots.org.
Women’s Library Association of the University of Denver’s Penrose Library Bookstack Bookstore, open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, closed Dec. 20 through Jan. 4. Mary Reed Building, 2199 S. University Blvd., University of Denver campus.
All coffee table books, $1 apiece through Saturday, Dec. 19. All proceeds benefit Penrose Library.
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Spread the word about the great deals you’ve found at locally owned retailers by sending an e-mail to Janet@bestcoloradodeals.com, and go to the BestColoradoDeals.com Web site to subscribe to the Best Colorado Deals newsletter. And don’t forget to catch her featured deals each Friday on Channel 9’s 4 p.m. news!
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