It’s here! The Holiday Gift Guide: 2024 Edition is your one-stop solution for gift-giving inspiration and discovering particularly awesome CT boutiques & businesses. We’ve done the work, so you can sit back, scroll, and add to cart (or make a plan to visit this holiday season)!
Ready, set, shop local!
WeHa Candle Company
(West Hartford) For those of us who love the gift of an experience, check out WeHa Candle Company. Creating candles & custom scents with friends is such a fun way to enjoy a hands-on activity together! If you’re looking for a ready-to-buy option, their fab collection of natural hand-poured candles are made with coconut soy wax and zero chemicals, toxins, or dyes.
Bantam Tileworks
(Bantam) Perfect teacher/hostess/anyone-gifts await at Bantam Tileworks. We think these handmade & hand-painted trees are so cute and collectible! Their beautifully glazed vases, plates, mugs, platters, and coasters also make excellent presents. 🫶🏼
New Morning Market
(Woodbury) New Morning Market is an outstanding natural & organic food store to grab goodies for foodies or stock your shelves & fridge with entertaining yummies! They have a fantastic selection of cheese, meat, olive oil, chocolate, jams, spreads, and oh so much more. Enjoy!
Wall Street Gallery
(Madison) Whether it’s a sentimental keepsake, a piece of family history, or a priceless piece of artwork, Wall Street Gallery knows how to elevate any item with the perfect frame. A custom frame from a skilled gallery can bring out the beauty of whatever you’re showcasing, making it a gift that’s both thoughtful and memorable.
Cloud 9 HeadSpa
(Danbury) You know the part when you get your head massaged at the hair salon? Imagine 60 or 90 minutes of that! Cloud 9 offers a Japanese Yume (dream) head spa – a unique experience where guests undergo a blissful combination of scalp massage (and scalp healthcare), aromatherapy, and sensory therapy. Sounds like 100% heaven to us!
Tommasina Eyewear
(Bantam) Designed by eye doctor Dr. Tommasina, Tommasina Eyewear sunglasses are for those who love bespoke luxury. Handcrafted in the USA and limited edition pieces manufactured in Italy, they’re available online (feel free to DM!) or in person by appointment at the Bantam Arts Factory.
Special discount code for Christmas: Mention Unlocking Connecticut for $50 off.
B Well by Byrde + the b
(Litchfield) Byrde + the b; the luxury hair, art, and beauty salon has recently added B Well to its repertoire. Treat some lucky person to a well-deserved massage at this ultimate pampering destination in the heart of Litchfield. B Well offers Swedish, deep tissue performance, mother-t0-be, and pink Himalayan salt stone massages. Ahhhhh.
Simpson & Vail
(Brookfield) Embrace the season with Simpson & Vail‘s new holiday tea – Snowberry Frost! This deep amber tea has a delicious aroma, festive fruit flavor, and a smooth creamy taste. Founded in 1929, Simpson & Vail has over 375 teas & herbal tisanes, 75+ fresh roasted coffees, tea accessories, and gourmet foods; everything to create a thoughtful gift basket.
Willow & Birch
(Madison) Willow & Birch makes your holiday shopping effortless! This contemporary lifestyle boutique features unique items for men, women, baby & the home (i.e. everyone on your list!). They’re the only Simon Pearce retailer on the shoreline (glass and pottery handmade in Vermont) and offer complimentary signature gift wrapping. Easy peasy!
Sweet Maria’s Bakery
(Waterbury) Tray of Christmas or Italian cookies? Yes, yes, always yes. If you’re part of a cookie exchange this holiday or plan on being a guest at a party, these are the cookies you want to show up with! Order a small, medium, or large tray online (they ship nationwide) or pick up in-store. Cakes, cookies, cupcakes, biscotti, yum!
Daisy Wilder
(Newtown) We think anything in Lora’s jewelry line, Daisy Wilder, would make the perfect gift! You’ll love these hand beaded necklaces made with semi-precious gemstones, Italian bronze, sterling silver, and premium-quality Japanese glass beads. Perfect for your bestie, daughter, co-worker, you get it…Use code UNLOCKING for 20% off until Jan. 1st!
Home & Earth Curated Living
(Woodbury) Home & Earth is a stunning store with an array of wonderful gift ideas from around the globe. Something for the gardener, the foodie, the home decor lover…you get the picture! They can help you create a customized gift basket that will wow them! Go visit (or shop online), your eyes (and recipient) will thank you! 😍
Depot Dog
(Washington & Litchfield) Don’t forget the fur babies! Depot Dog carries high-end nutritional foods & treats, apparel, beds, collars/leashes, plus gift baskets ready to go. Go ahead and spoil those already spoiled cats & dogs!
Mother Earth Gallery
(New Milford) Destination Mother Earth Gallery for all your crystal, gem, nature-loving friends! Shop here for handcrafted gemstone jewelry, locally made art, wind chimes, incense, singing bowls, aromatherapy, and an incredible collection of crystals and minerals from around the world.
Adam Broderick Salon & Spa
(Southbury & Ridgefield) Give the gift of self-care time (everyone needs it!). When you buy $175 in Adam Broderick Salon & Spa gift cards you’ll receive an additional $25 card (valid through Dec 31). Hair, body, face, nails, boutique, spoil somebody you love!
Studio Hill Gallery & Design Shop
(Woodbury) Not just an award-winning art space, Studio Hill Gallery also has an incredible design shop filled with treasures from around the globe (and locally crafted too!). We spotted beautiful lamps, angels, German nutcrackers, coffee table books, and so much more we’d love to find under the tree!
Little Bee of Connecticut
(Southbury/Online) Little Bee of Connecticut delivers non-toxic, distinctive products from the hive. Their hand-rolled pure beeswax candles range from petite 2-inch votives, and tapers to an impressive 5-inch diameter triple wick pillar. A portion of all sales are donated to the Planet Bee Adopt-A-Hive Program.
The Hidden Acorn
(Woodbury) Step into The Hidden Acorn, where the past meets the present in a fusion of antique, vintage, new housewares, furniture, whimsical gifts, and restoration supplies. Explore their super fun collection of local and sustainable products. This is also the spot to go to trim your tree!
Grace Medical Aesthetics
(Southbury, Westport, Southington, CT, Bedford Hills & NYC) Get them glowing! Grace Medical Aesthetics is offering 30% off all skincare products in-store & online. Or grab a free gift with the purchase of a $250 gift card (choice of gift, purchased in our online store). Use Discount code: UNLOCKING30 at check out!
