First, if you are in the position to spend money on anything beyond necessities right now, congratulations. You have managed to get through 2020 without taking the same financial hit as others.

For Strangers

  • Dignity Grows: Tampons are expensive AF. Dignity Grows, started by members of the Greater Hartford Jewish Federation, helps to get tampons, pads, deodorant, soap, and other personal hygiene products out to people in the community who otherwise might have to go without. The goods are placed in tote bags that don’t scream “I’m on my period, y’all!” and are distributed by several organizations, including Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective, COMPASS Youth Collaborative, Hartford Public Schools, Hartford Public Library, and Grace Lutheran Church Food Line.


  • Speaking of dignity, drop off food at the “help yourself”-style pantries. There is something nice about not having to stand in a long line during a particular window of time. If there’s not one in an area of high need, but you know there’s a Little Free Library, why not leave a few items (that are not sticky or leaky) there as well? Here’s a map of pantry locations in Hartford: 

For Friends and Family 

  • Help to keep yourself and your loved ones safer, without participating in the wastefulness of buying single-use masks.
    • Styled By Jazz: Based in Hartford, she makes both individual masks and those that are part of a matching headwrap set. 
    • Steph’s Quilty Pleasure: Based in Greater Hartford, her masks — at least in my experience — are made to fit well, which means minimal fogging of glasses. Plus, there are gerrymandered districts, Kamala, RBG, and Chanukah patterns, among many others to choose from. 


  • Another way to keep everyone safer and/or cheerier: Hartford Flavor Company has been making their own hand sanitizer, and of course, they have their liqueurs. Don’t confuse the two. You can have products delivered, or order to pick up — the latter does require you to go inside, but you’ll be in and out in under a minute. 


  • The Hartford Artisans Weaving Center only recently created an online shopping option, so you can get shawls, scarves, home decor, and other woven goods either delivered to your home or outside of the building. They accept custom orders. 


  • Nothing says love like baked goods. If you can’t make your own, The Craft delivers to parts of Hartford. You’ll want to make sure the recipient will be home during the delivery times. 


  • It should go without saying, but this is not the time to gamble with gift cards. Surprising someone with a brunch delivery (when you know they’ll be home to enjoy it — communicate with your people!) that you’ve called for or personally enabled seems like a better bet, especially with the constantly changing COVID laws and everyone’s different comfort levels when it comes to eating indoors. Whenever possible, order directly from the restaurant instead of using a third-party service. Here are a few local restaurants, but there are many others: 
  • Can’t go wrong with chocolate, unless your loved one is a monster who doesn’t like chocolate
    • Belle Monde: You may have seen their chocolates the the Harvest Market under a previous name, before rebranding. This is what you get someone who will appreciate artistry. This is not what you get for someone who double fists the chocolate without looking at it first.  
    • Munson’s — Connecticut-made chocolate that’s fancy but not fancy schmancy. They now have Connecticut Wine Trail chocolate truffles. 


  • Got a friend who has tired of staring at boring walls while working from home? Plenty of local artists can help with that situation. Here are just a few to choose from:
  • Don’t forget the pupper! Naturally Dogs & Cats offers delivery and curbside pickup. They stock the cutest dog treats, but also carry all the practical things too. Seeing how this year has gone, you probably have a million cat and dog nieces and nephews now that you are expected to shower with gifts. 

Pro Tip: There are few things more satisfying than being a pedestrian getting curbside pickup. The conversation might go like this:
STORE: “Where are you parked?”
YOU: “I’m not. I’m on the sidewalk”
STORE: *scratching head* 

Okay, maybe that response only happens in West Hartford, but it’s fun to remind people that the car is not the only way to move around.