Is holiday stress creeping up on you? No matter how prepared you think you are, the regular stress of work and family combined with the hectic holidays can make the next few weeks challenging. No sweat! You made it through Thanksgiving. Now to get you through the rest of the year, here are some ideas for you and your mom squad to enjoy this holiday season. There’s wine, we promise!
Brewery Boot Camp
If your idea of lowering stress levels involves a physically demanding workout, then Brewery Boot Camp is for you. Run by husband and wife team Paul and Lindsay Chavez, get in a sweat-inducing, hour-long circuit training workout at your local brewery for only $10 a class. After class enjoy a social hour with discounted brews. The Chavez’ have kids too and they know how difficult it is to fit workouts in during the holidays. They offer a varied class schedule all over the Denver metro area. Brewery locations include Bruz Beers and Comrade Brewing in Denver, Dry Dock in Aurora, Grist in Highlands Ranch, Holidaily in Golden, Lone Tree in Centennial, and many, many others. Check the website for times and locations. 720-810-0230.
Coloring at Kate’s Wine Bar
Many people swear by the relaxing effects of coloring in coloring books. Test out your own artistic skill in downtown Littleton at Kate’s Wine Bar where every Monday guests can relax by coloring from 7 to 10 p.m. For $15 per person enjoy designer coloring books, premium colored pencils, and your first glass of wine. Space is limited so call 303-999-2895 to reserve your Monday night retreat. Happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. if you want to get an early start. 6571 S. Nevada St., Littleton; 303-999-2895.
Dazzle’s Friday Lunch Club
Take a break during the work day at Dazzle’s Friday Lunch Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy the restaurant’s full menu or take in the kitchen’s three-course lunch for $13 per person. Enjoy happy hour pricing on cocktails and the amazing live music that makes this Denver’s premier jazz club. There is even a kids menu with all entrees just $7 including post-meal ice cream. Reservations recommended. 1512 Curtis St., Denver; 303-839-5100.
Denver Flea Holiday Market
Forget the fast-paced mall and instead shop slow this December at the Denver Flea Holiday Market at Union Station. Here you can shop local one-of-a-kind gifts in a relaxed and slightly boozy atmosphere. Peruse more than 100 of Colorado’s best craft makers and artisans while sipping flea-only holiday cocktails, sampling local eats, and listening to live music. Tickets are $5 per person and include re-entry for the specific weekend purchased. Children 12 and under are free. Cocktails are $10 each, wines $9, canned beers $6, and draft beers from Denver Beer Co. and Avery are only $5. Open Friday to Sunday, November 23 through December 16; hours vary by day. Purchase tickets online. Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop, Denver.
Ladies’ Night and Wine and Dine
Sometimes you can’t get through the week without a little wine. Wash Park Grille on Gaylord Street understands. Wine and Dine Wednesdays means half off select premium wines and half off appetizers from 4 p.m. to close. Ladies’ Night is every Thursday and features $2 wines, $2 wells, and $2 domestic drafts for all ladies 4 p.m. to close. Ladies can also get Ketel One cosmos for $5. Meet your friends here after work for a weekday pick me up. 1096 S. Gaylord St., Denver; 303-777-0707.
Sugar and Spirits with Good Sugar Baking
Good Sugar Baking wants you to have a sugary holiday gathering with the bakery’s upcoming cookie, cupcake, and booze parties all month long. Events include Cupcakes and Wine at Infinite Monkey Theorem, Cupcakes and Cocktails at Bear Creek Distillery, and Cookie Decorating and Beer at Peak to Peak Tap & Brew. Good Sugar donates a portion of event proceeds to local charities. Visit the Good Sugar Facebook page for a full list of December’s events, locations, and pricing. Tickets can be purchased on the Good Sugar website. Various locations.
Uncork & Unwind and Reds, Whites, & Tunes
Kick back and relax with Reds, Whites, & Tunes every Friday with live music and locally blended wines at Water 2 Wine in Centennial. Beginning at 6 p.m. each evening imbibers can enjoy two hours of adult time with wine for no cover and no minimums. If you want an even more immersive experience sign up for the last Uncork & Unwind of 2018 on Wednesday, December 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. For $25 per person, enjoy a light catered dinner, wine tasting, and live music. 8130 S. University Blvd., Unit 100, Centennial; 720-489-9463.
ViewHouse Cookie Decorating
Two ViewHouse locations are hosting cookie decorating parties to get you in the mood for the holidays. Relax with free cookie decorating, including three sugar cookies per person and all the supplies, from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can also enjoy drink and food specials all evening long, such as the bar’s $20 Wine & Board platter featuring one bottle of wine and one flatbread. Held at ViewHouse Ballpark on Wednesday, December 19, and Littleton on Wednesday, December 12. The decorating is free and kids are welcome. Ballpark: 2015 Market St., Denver; 720-878-2015. Littleton: 2680 W. Main St. Littleton; 303-797-4829.
Gingerbread House Party
Over in Stapleton, #HashTag is bringing friends and their families together for a Gingerbread House Party the weekends of December 7 to 9 and December 14 to 16, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. HashTag builds the house and you get to decorate it. For $75 for one child and one adult, guests receive a gingerbread house, icing, and decorations along with chef tips and tricks. Kids will enjoy hot cocoa and dinner and the adults will enjoy a glass of bubbles or wine and adult bites. Call 303-995-6896 to reserve your spot. 10155 E. 29th Dr., Denver; 303-995-6896.
Holiday Cookie Decorating Class
On three Saturdays this month Olive and Finch in Cherry Creek will host Holiday Cookie Decorating Classes. For $85 one adult and one child get 12 cookies and decorating supplies. The kids also get snacks while the adults get to sip on cocktails and appetizers. Dates are December 5, 15, and 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Call 720-257-4763 for reservations. 3390 E. 1st Ave., Denver; 303-955-0455.
