Online Shopping Suggestions: Holidays 2013

Scrumptious Offerings from Telluride Truffle

Are you starting to panic about all the holiday doings? Keep it simple. Do what you can do and enjoy your time making merry and bright. When it comes to shopping, the best way to do that for family, friends and business acquaintances living far away is to send them a gift from one of the wonderful online boutiques highlighted on my Online Shopping page. Each purveyor showcases original gift ideas that will make the people on your list stand up and take notice. Save the cookie cutter stuff for the holiday baking and check out what these charming shops have to offer on my Online Shopping page. Type in the code Bonjour—or in the case of Ruth’s Toffee and Rahmen + Co, just mention Bonjour Colorado—to receive your 10% discount. Here are some of the highlights from these boutiques (in addition to what I’ve outlined at that page).

Swiss Criss Dog Collars from Alpen Schatz

Alpine Elegance from Alpen Schatz

Alpen Schatz, a Telluride based boutique, offers a wagonload of alpine treasures of the finest quality for men, women, children, pets and the home. Dashing alpine hats, silk scarves and scarf ornaments, authentic cowbells great for decorating, cuddly stuffed animals of all sizes and Swiss cross dog collars are just some of the beautiful items featured on their cozy, mountain-inspired website. And if you’re a lover of the Bernese Mountain dog, you must shop here; Alpen Schatz is indisputably Berner central. You can also buy signed copies of my travel memoir/love story, A Tour of the Heart:  A Seductive Cycling Trip Through France, here. Remember your Bonjour discount code to receive 10% off.

Also from our beautiful mountain town, shop for superior quality chocolates, chocolate sauce, hot chocolate mix, cookies and more at Telluride Truffle. The taste, texture, presentation and packaging of these exquisite and oh-so chocolate-y products will make you a hit with all those on your list. Remember to pick up some treats for yourself while you’re there. Take advantage of the 10% discount by typing in the code Bonjour.

What goes great with truffles? Champagne, of course. Champagne goes wonderfully with just about everything in fact, especially during this festive time of the year. Henri’s Reserve offers some of the best lesser known champagnes in alluring gift packages. Here, too, remember to type in the code Bonjour to receive your 10% discount.

Henri’s Reserve Champagne

Mountain-Shaped Chocolates from Telluride Truffle

Ruth’s Toffee

Toffee and the holidays go together like butter and cream. I’ve found some of the best at Ruth’s Toffee, another terrific Colorado confectioner, that makes these crunchy almond confections by hand. In this case, mention Bonjour Colorado to Ruth when placing your order to receive 10% off.

Babar Rocker from QuelObjet

Brittany Butter Cookies from QuelObjet

QuelObjet’s Holiday Table

Most know that I’m a big Francophile. Not only have I lived eleven years in Paris but I also wrote four shopping and touring guides on France (three on Paris, one on the French provinces). So I feel confident in declaring myself an expert in French goods. You can find some of the best from linens to comestibles, bath products to toys, bags and more, at QuelObjet, a bright and cheery online boutique. You guessed it—10% off here, too.

Holiday Soaps from Fresh Soap

Handmade soaps always make pretty and much appreciated gift items for everyone from grandma to teachers to boyfriends. I’ve found some especially delightful ones at the Fresh Soap Company in Breckenridge. Be sure to type in the code Bonjour.

Boy, have we been having some cold weather across most of the U.S. Here in Telluride, we rarely go out without our thermals, even if we’re not skiing or riding. So they have to look and feel good. Check out the selection at Rahmen + Co (formerly Cinnamon Wear) and be sure to mention Bonjour Colorado to Susan when ordering to receive your discount.

Looking for a truly exceptional keepsake? Check out the selection of collectibles and memorabilia at The Autograph Source. You guessed it—they showcase one-of-a-kind autographed items. Here, too, you benefit from a 10% discount.

Don’t forget all our four-legged babies. Purrfect Play sells terrific toys and accessories for cats and dogs, all artisanally crafted in natural materials. These are just the kind of presents our beloved companions dream of finding beneath the tree.

Rahmen + Co Thermal

Ben Harper’s Guitar from The Autograph Source

Fuzzy Catnip Balls from Purrfect Play

And for loved ones of all ages, especially for the travelers in your life, consider offering them a year’s membership with Medjet Assist, a global transport service that you’ll be darn glad to have in time of need. Click through my site to receive 10% off on new memberships as well as renewals. Read my story on Medjet and listen to the podcast here.

For the Francophile, foodie, romantic, avid traveler, cycling aficionado on your list, consider offering my travel memoir/love story, A Tour of the Heart:  A Seductive Cycling Trip Through France. You can buy signed copies at Alpen Schatz or go to amazon for the paperback and eBook version. UK folks can use the following links:  for paperback and for the eBook.

So, go to it! Peruse, select and be sure to type (or say) your Bonjour code to receive your 10% discount. Wrap up your shopping today and let these charming boutiques handle all the packaging and shipping. Then just sit back and sip an egg nog and sink into a relaxing holiday mode.

Happy Everything!