2014 Holiday Giving Guide

GIVING

We know that there is now something called “Giving Tuesday,” but this is scheduled for after Black Friday. Strange for charity to be conceived of as something we do with the remainder of our money. Hartford offers many opportunities for charitable giving. Here are a few ideas:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Bike Walk Connecticut
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Charter Oak Cultural Center
• Connecticut Farmland Trust
• Connecticut Humane Society
• Foodshare
• Greater Hartford Arts Council
• Hartbeat Ensemble
• Hartford Food Not Bombs
• Hartford Food System
• Hartford Public Library
• KNOX

EXPERIENCES

This is the type of gift that holds meaning long after the wrapping paper hits the recycling bin.

• See CONNectic Dance’s The Nutcracker Suite & Spicy, December 12-14th at the Wadsworth Atheneum’s Aetna Theatre.
• Catch a comedy show at City Steam Brewery’s Brew HaHa Comedy Club.
• Watch a play at TheaterWorks. Or, give someone a subscription.
• Go ice skating at the free rink in Bushnell Park. Free skate rental.
• Catch one of The Bushnell’s many holiday/seasonal shows and performances.
• See A Christmas Carol at Hartford Stage
• Learn to cook at The Kitchen.
• Membership to MakeHartford for the person who is always tinkering with something.
• See the Festival of Trees and Traditions at the Wadsworth Atheneum

THINGS

Hartford may not be a sea of big box stores, but that does not mean there is no place to shop.

• Arbor Street Potters: Jewelry and decor. 30 Arbor Street. Participating in Open Studio Hartford.

• The Camera Bar: Cameras, accessories, bags, and repairs. 75 Asylum Street.

• Connecticut Historical Society: Hartford and Connecticut- made and themed products including bow ties, mugs, magnets, jewelery, classic historic toys, books, and Richard Welling prints. 1 Elizabeth Street.

• Connecticut Science Center: Toys, t-shirts, books, astronaut ice cream. 250 Columbus Boulevard.

• Eight Sixty Custom: skater clothes, boards, and accessories. 1850 Park Street.

• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center: books, games, home decor. 77 Forest Street.

• Hartford Denim Company Factory Outlet Store:  Jeans. 30 Bartholomew Avenue.

• Hartford Open Studio Traditional Arts Marketplace: The Institute for Community Research will be hosting a marketplace featuring artisans from Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Somalia, Burma, Iran, Iraq, Romania, and Laos. The marketplace will feature weavers, knitters, lace crochet artists, embroiderers, book illustrators, henna painters, and more. This shopping opportunity is one day only: November 15, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the ICR, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100 (146 Wyllys Street).

• Hartford Prints!: greeting cards, onesies, t-shirts, magnets, stationary, cloth bags, jewelry, ornaments, and more. 42 1/2 Pratt Street.

• Harvest Market: This will be the third year that various vendors set up shop in a greenhouse at Knox, 75 Laurel Street. From 10-2 on November 23rd, you can get produce, eggs, pies, bread, soups, crafts, and more.

• Mark Twain House & Museum: Books, t-shirts, jewelery, and souvenirs. 351 Farmington Avenue.

• Naturally Dogs and Cats: Toys and treats. 10 Trumbull St.

• Open Studio Hartford: Scattered sites across Hartford offering photographs, ceramics, paintings, and more. November 15 & 16, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• 

  Petrini Framing and Art: It’s just what it sounds like. Open Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 960 Main Street.

• Russian Tea Room & Bazaar: nesting dolls, amber jewelery, food, and more. November 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and November 9, 12 noon – 3 p.m. All Saints Orthodox Church, 205 Scarborough Street.

• Stackpole/Tuesday’s Off the Rack: upscale clothing for men and women. 45 Pratt Street.

• Szopka Festival: Polish arts, crafts, and jewelery. November 30, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., hosted by the Polish National Home, 60 Charter Oak Avenue.

• That Flavour Boutique: Shoes! 101 Pratt Street.

• The Jumping Frog: Used and rare books.  56 Arbor Street.

• Venom Vintage: The vintage clothing store — formerly in Parkville — will be moving to 11 Whitney Street. The grand re-opening will take place on December 1st. Hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Wadsworth Atheneum: Prints, books, planners, cards, jewelry, and kids’ stuff. 600 Main Street.