1. Organic Cookie Mix in a Jar
From In A Jar Foods, a local business started by Darien native, Kristin Farrell. These jars make beautiful gifts and are available in Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Raisin. New for the season are the same mixes with a red "Cookies for Santa" label, perfect for gift giving. Gift baskets are available as well. Jars retail for $12 a piece and are available for purchase in Darien at Whole Foods, Palmer's Market, Olivette, and the Darien Sport Shop. They are also available at Walter Stewart's in New Canaan, LaRocca's Country Market in Stamford, Salon S in Cos Cob, Village Market in Wilton, and Nature's Temptations and Ancona's Market in Ridgefield. They are also availble at Balducci's in Westport and Greenwich as well as in Scarsdale, New York. Jars can also be ordered online at www.inajarfoods.com. For more information email Kristin at: inajarfoods@gmail.com
2. Nautical Burlap Wine Gift Bag
From Itty Bitty Bag, a Darien based business.
Are you giving the gift of wine this holiday season? Wrap it up in this beautiful nautical gift bag handmade in Darien! The bag's dimensions are 12" x 15". The burlap is a designer weight and much nicer and more finely woven than what you can purchase in stores. Itty Bitty Bag uses the same burlap that is used on fine draperies and pillows. All of the seams are professionally serged. The rope is a high end cotton braided rope, very soft to the touch. Every Itty Bitty Bag is handmade by Jennifer St. Jean — no outsourcing, no mass production. Each bag is unique and totally original. The Nautical Burlap Wine Bag is $15 and can be ordered on Etsy by clicking HERE.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/67189126/burlap-wine-gift-bag-nautical-navy-blue
3. Stationery, Serving Trays, and Coasters
From Easton Place, a local business owned by Patti Wunder. From paperweights, serving trays and coasters to notepads, recipe cards and fine stationery, Easton Place offers a wide range of gifts and all are completely customizable and can be personalized! Perfect for the holidays and for year-round gift giving. All designs are created by shop owner, Patti Wunder and are exclusive to Easton Place.
Shop Easton Place HERE.
4. Robert Mondavi Reserve 2000 Cabernet 1.5
From Leary's Liquor Cabinet, owned by local Kevin Leary. This wonderful wine is perfectly aged and ready to drink. The suggested retail for this 750ml bottle is $149.99. It is currently on sale for $99. Make an impression with this great wine and get a good deal at the same time. Leary's has a friendly and knowledgable staff, including manager, Frank Richard, who will assist you with any of your gift giving needs.
Leary's is located at 186 Heights Road and can be reached at 203 655-0508.
5. Cable Car in Wonderland
From Wild Birds Unlimited, owned by Darien's very own Joe Warren and his wife Pat. If you would like a trip back in time to the days of magical mechanical toys, stop by Wild Birds Unlimited at 356 Heights Road in Darien. It will surely bring a smile to your face. Among the incredibly beautiful gift items relating to birds and nature, you will find many enchanting toys available for some very special Christmas giving. Cable Car in Wonderland is available for $115.95
Wild Birds Unlimited can also be reached by phone at 203 202-2669.
6. Gourmet Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar
From Olivette, at 1084 Post Road in Darien. Walk into Olivette and you will never regret it. Your taste buds will thank you. And so will any recipient of your gift of fresh olive oil or balsamic vinegar from this store. There are plenty of flavors from which to taste and choose. This is a delightful gift for anyone who likes to cook, make delicious salads, or just eat fresh flavorful food. Prices and sizes vary. You can purchase two small bottles for around $20. Add it to your list today!
Olivette can be reached at 203 621-0643.
7. The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
From Barrett Bookstore owned by local Sheila Daley. The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Alana Mathis has made it to Oprah's Book Club list. Enough said.
Ayana Mathis tells the story of the children of the Great Migration through the trials of one unforgettable family.
In 1923, fifteen-year-old Hattie Shepherd flees Georgia and settles in Philadelphia, hoping for a chance at a better life. Instead, she marries a man who will bring her nothing but disappointment and watches helplessly as her firstborn twins succumb to an illness a few pennies could have prevented. Hattie gives birth to nine more children whom she raises with grit and mettle and not an ounce of the tenderness they crave. She vows to prepare them for the calamitous difficulty they are sure to face in their later lives, to meet a world that will not love them, a world that will not be kind. Captured here in twelve luminous narrative threads, their lives tell the story of a mother's monumental courage and the journey of a nation.
Read the New York Times review here.
Need to give a a great book? Stop by Barrett Bookstore at 314 Heights Road for unbeatable service and a knowledgeable staff. Barrett Bookstore can be reached at 203 655-2712.
From The Gardener's Center, owned by Darien local Keith Barker. Hang these genuine Austrian crystals from a sunny window and watch rainbows light up a room! Available in many styles and two sizes, $25 and $40. Shop at The Gardener's Center for all your garden and Christmas decorating needs. You will always find the staff helpful and knowledgeable.
Located at 1396 Post Road in Darien, The Gardener's Center can be reached at 203 655-2549 or visit their website HERE.
9. A Great Toy For Your Pet!
From the Pawprint Market, your pet resource right here in town. Located conveniently at 1324 Boston Post, the Pawprint Market is your one stop shop for pet food, toys and supplies. The knowledgeable and friendly staff can advise you on just about anything relating to your beloved pooch or kitty. There is always a great selection of high quality toys and treats perfect for gift giving or anytime. They also carry holistic pet food, organic pet food. raw, frozen pet foods, and grain-free foods.
The Pawprint Market can be reached at 203 656-3901 or email at info@pawprintmarket.com. Business hours are Monday – Friday: 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
10. The Jackie
From Southern Yankee, a one stop shop for your little girl and baby gifts. All hand made in Wilton CT using vintage linens and other up-cycled fabrics. This dress is made with a cotton t-shirt and daddy's shirt and tie! A sweet present for your little girl AND her daddy! Southern Yankee supplies the t-shirt and you supply the tie and shirt, together you create a dress your family will never forget! $42.00 at Southern Yankee.com. HamletHub readers can enjoy 15% off and free shipping until December 31, 2012. Use code HH at checkout. Order it HERE.
See more beautiful handmade gifts at www.southernyankee.com
11. A Playforever Toy
From The Darien Toy Box, owned by Bill Jensen, who we can't say enough about. Bill is exactly what you would want the owner of a local toy store to be. He is friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic,and very dedicated to finding quality toys for kids. He offers the kind of service that is non-existent in bigger stores.
The Playforever toys are designed by Julian Meagher who studied industrial design in Johannesburg, South Africa, before working as a product designer for such acclaimed companies as Virgin Mobile, Speedo, Hasbro, and Mattel. His sleek, bold, glossy line of toys, Playforever, is based in London and is targeted to all ages (hence the name). The Playforever range includes the Bruno Roadster, the Mimmo Aeroplane, and the Enzo Motorbike. These toys are timeless, safe for babies and contain no PVC.
Also at The Darien Toy Box are Moover Toys, made by a Danish company that aims to be the leading source of quality toys on the global toy market. They provide an award-winning wooden toy range, with both classic and modern toys to choose from and cherish.
Find a great selection of quality toys at The Darien Toy Box and service that you just can't beat.
The DarienToy Box is located at 1064 Boston Post Road in Darien and can be reached at 203 202-2992
12. Custom Made Fairy Garden
From Nielsen's Florist, owned by the Nielsen family of Darien. Imagine the look on someone's face when you present them with their own little fantasy! These incredible fairy gardens are custom made by Nielsen's designers and range in size, price, and theme. Pictured is one with reindeer in the garden outside a house. (Price: $65) Other fairy garden creations include bells, Santa, and miniature sleds to name a few of the many options. Prices can vary from $65 to $120. As always, Nielsen's Florist will provide you with an exquisitely presented gift and top notch service.
Nielsen's Florist is located at 1405 Post Road in Darien and can be reached at (203)655-2541