Montana Gift Corral Blog

It's that time of year again!

Tour buses are streaming into town, chalk is out on the sidewalks of downtown and colorful posters are displayed on every bulletin board, shop display and telephone pole. The excitement brews in the summer air as Bozeman embarks on the 43rd annual Sweat Pea Festival this week!

You know it's always Christmas at the Gift Corral, but where did the tradition of Christmas in July come from? We did a little research to share the story of the first Christmas in July with you. This year, a little bit of Christmas in July is just what we need to spark some cheer and joy. Come by the Montana Gift Corral for all your Christmas needs, whether that’s in July, December, or anywhere in between!

On a quiet side street just off Bozeman’s main drag, there is a little studio where the magic happens. The area feels like a great place for a dentist office or attorney, but, in fact, this is the workspace for Sam Ferraro, a local craftsman of fine jewelry for over 50 years.

For the past 16 years, Chris Burke and family have owned and operated Morning Glory Coffee & Tea out of West Yellowstone, Montana. Named after the park’s stunning Morning Glory Pool, their coffee is as rich in flavor as the pool is in color.

Charcuterie is a French term derived from the root woods of chair, ‘meat,’ and cuit, ‘cooked.’ Defined as a style of cooking that produces prepared meats, such as bacon, salami, pepperoni, and sausage, the term charcuterie has evolved in popular culture to represent a meat and cheese tray with fruits, spreads, pickled items, bread, and so much more! In summary, a charcuterie board stands for a good time! 

Let's be honest, there is nothing more iconic in Montana than the Bearfoots Bears collection by Jeff Fleming. Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing this well-known artist, and am happy to report that he is just as wonderful as you could imagine! I am inspired by the passion he holds for his craft, as well as the happiness that each of his wood carvings and resin crafted figurines bring to Bearfoots collectors throughout the nation! 

Summer is right around the corner, and the warmth is already here! Celebrate those hot days outside with some of our awesome clothing items available both online and in-store! From Sweatshirts to Montana-inspired hats, we have a vast selection of garments that will help you spice up your summer wardrobe! 

I bet you are wondering, "What the heck is Duke Cannon, and why do I need it?", and to be honest that is what we wondered as well. However, everything changed when Duke Cannon hit our sales floor. As soon as Duke Cannon products entered our store, every employee, man and women alike, was suddenly connected to the personality of those hard-working, pioneering men who helped develop our country. We all harnessed the characteristics of big, burly, and bearded men that prioritize making their presence aggressively known. Why, you may ask? Well, because these bath and body products are simply aggressive. 

Spring is upon us! Given the introduction of a new season, it is time to refresh your space with some new home décor.  We get it, redecorating your home can be stressful.  Don't fret! We have a vast selection of home décor that is perfect for spring, which we know you will love.  To make your life a bit easier, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite home décor vendors and have highlighted some of their most spring-inspired items! Check out MGC's favorite home décor products:

For this post, we’re channeling our inner David Attenborough to bring you some of Montana’s most iconic animals, and, honestly, getting the list down to five isn’t easy (and is very subjective). I’m sure I ruffled some feathers leaving some beloved critters off. Big Mike at Museum of the Rockies doesn’t count. Are dinosaurs even considered animals? Either way, he died well before Montana was a state. Well, here we go, 5 iconic Montana Animals.