Hartford Prints! is a punster’s paradise

The local holiday shopping guide has become a Real Hartford tradition, and it is that time. This might seem early, but that’s only because Chanukah is also early this year. And my timing is still more seasonal than those who put up Christmas displays the day after Halloween, fast forwarding right past Day of the Dead, Veteran’s Day, and Thanksgiving.

GIVING

Attaching giving to only one day (“Giving Tuesday” is 12/3/13) seems absurd, especially when that day is after the one known for mass consumerism. For that reason, this is listed first. Hartford offers many opportunities for charitable giving. Here are a few ideas:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters: Brian Kelly of Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters says, “we’re always in need of volunteers – especially males – to mentor disadvantaged children.” That could be too much of a time commitment for some folks, so another way to contribute is to donate gift certificates to retail stores and family-friendly entertainment venues, such as the Connecticut Science Center. These gift certificates would go to children in the program. Another way to give is to make a financial contribution, which Kelly says goes toward “moving children off our waiting list and into life-changing match relationships with adult mentors.”
  • Bike Walk Connecticut: This is the organization behind the Discover Hartford Tour. They do bicycle education for children and adults, along with planning Bike To Work days. Donations and volunteers are welcome.
  • Charter Oak Cultural Center: This space hosts musical performances, art, dance, plays, vigils, youth programs, films, and more. They accept donations and volunteers.
  • Connecticut Farmland Trust: Though their office is in Hartford they work all around the state to ensure that we continue to have farmland. Because we really don’t need strip malls every half mile. They accept donations and volunteers.
  • Hartford Public Library: Besides just paying off your library fines, you can donate any amount online. If you are not familiar with this library and its branches, there is more than books. The library provides job resources, opportunities for civic involvement, and more.
  • KNOX: Like trees? Flowers? Gardens? If you’re answer is “no,” I think you may have lost your way on the Interwebs. For everyone else, be aware that KNOX is the organization responsible for cleaning, greening, and beautifying the city. They take donations and volunteers.
Hartford Prints!

EXPERIENCES

  • Make art at StudioN111. Take one class or go for a series. Classes range from traditional (oil, ink, watercolor) to the unusual (making swants: sweater pants). There is something for all skill levels and interests. Trust me, I’ve been, and nobody asked me to leave for ruining Art.
  • Watch a play at TheaterWorks. Or, give someone a subscription.
  • Catch a comedy show at City Steam Brewery’s Brew HaHa Comedy Club. (Thanks to Caitlin Croswell for the tip)
  • Go ice skating at the free rink in Bushnell Park. 11/29/13-2/1/14, 11am-8pm every day. The skate rental is free too.
  • Learn to cook at The Kitchen.
  • Ogle the Beat City Beauties, Hartford’s own burlesque. The troupe’s Tedd E. Bare — currently its sole male member — told me, “Nobody wants to see me dance. They want to see my [redacted] jiggle.” This would be a gift for grown folk only.
  • Listen to bluegrass in the Firebox Tavern. This doesn’t cost a thing, but you could kindly give the musicians a donation.
  • Learn printmaking techniques at Watermark Press, 30 Arbor Street.

FOOD

  • Abyssinian: What could be more in the spirit of community and peace than cuisine that is eaten communally? Wash your hands first.
  • bin228: This is a small wine bar with fondue. And other food. And half-priced bottles of wine on Mondays.
  • Feng: This can mean elegant dining, or it can mean Happy Hour or the Late Happy Hour. The sweet potato tempura roll is pretty great. (Thanks to Caitlin Croswell for the suggestion.)
  • Fire & Spice Vegan Restaurant: Show the vegetarians in your life that you care about them by taking them out to a place that doesn’t consider a salad and frozen veggie burger to be an adequate meal. They make fresh juice here. It’s got a cool vibe, but not in the trying-to-be-cool way. There is parking behind the restaurant.
  • Firebox: Brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks. It’s all good.
  • Max Restaurant Group: Recommended by Caitlin Croswell in part because they have a number of locations and a gift card can work at any of them. Fancy.
  • O’Porto: Another suggestion from Caitlin Croswell. We know that Parkville folks might dispute the inclusion of this on the list, but we can all sit down and have that argument after a shared pitcher of sangria.
  • Pan De Oro: Hartford’s own tortilla chips are produced in the North East neighborhood. Anthony Cherolis, a reader and chip-lover, says that you can buy chips by the case at the factory location — Severance Foods, 3478 Main Street.
  • Salute: This is a classy joint, but nobody will make you wear a suit jacket or anything like that. Hartford residents get a discount on certain days if you ask for it.
  • Tastease: You know that the popular-chain-that-shalt-not-be-named has seasonal doughnuts, but why go there when Hartford has a local option with prettier decorations, smaller portions, and tastier offerings? Raise the bar for what gets brought to the awkward office party. Real Hartford reader Allison Holst-Grubbe says that you can get a gift certificate to Tastease too. Perennial grumps have been known to squee at the sight of these doughnuts.
Blaze & Bloom

RETAIL

  • Arbor Street Potters: If you know someone obsessed with Tim Burton, the jewelry and decor from here will likely have appeal. They will have a table set up at the Women’s Craft Celebration on November 24th, 10am-3pm, at the Pond House in Elizabeth Park.
Arbor Street Potters
  • Blaze & Bloom: vintage home decor and accessories, jewelry, and furniture. You can find them in the Dirt Salon, 50 Bartholomew Avenue, but only on certain dates: December 7th from 12-8pm, December 8th from 11-5pm, December 20th from 12-8pm, and December 21st from 10-6pm. Call 860.888.2087 if you want to see about any other available times.
  • The Camera Bar: for those who know that a phone camera doesn’t cut it. Maybe your wife has been procrastinating getting her camera repaired. They can take care of that too. 75 Asylum Street.
  • Connecticut Science Center: Think of it as Hartford’s toy store. Gifts can range from cheap and lowbrow (the kind of thing your kid comes home with when you give him two dollars spending money on a field trip) to spendy. They have t-shirts with puns, a “robotic arm,” a number of books, a desktop drum set, you name it. Another option: get someone a membership or just take him there for the day.
  • Eight Sixty Custom: skater clothes, boards, and accessories. This new addition to Park Street can be tracked down by just following the kids on boards.

  • Hartford Prints!: greeting cards, onesies, t-shirts, cloth bags, jewelry, ornaments, and more. They have a storefront on 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, crafts, and more. This is meant as a way to prepare for Thanksgiving, but it’s more than just a place to buy potatoes and kale.
  • Sadhna’s Imports of India: clothing and accessories. This is located in the former G. Fox building, right near the escalators. Never boring. The store is open Monday-Friday, 11-5:30pm.
  • Stackpole/Tuesday’s Off the Rack: upscale clothing for men and women on Pratt Street. All sales are final and they only accept credit cards. Monday-Friday, 11:30-6. Saturday, 10:30-5.
  • The Jumping Frog: books! Rare books! Used books! Actual tangible paper books! The shop is located at 56 Arbor Street.
  • Wadsworth Atheneum: the gift shop here remains a favorite. Between prints, fun books, jewelry, and kids’ stuff, this can be a one-stop-shopping experience if all the people in your life are cool.

 

Is there anything not on this list that should be?