With so many online opportunities for holiday shopping, it’s tempting to flop on the couch and surf away. I say, YES, curl up in your pajamas with your laptop, but keep $68 of every $100 you spend in our own communities by considering these local and online options for far-flung friends and relations.

Just Hatched, Guilford

Known for the best baby gifts, Just Hatched is also a simple holiday solution for the tots. The prepacked selection of sets is beyond adorable, and their spot-on packaging (custom boxes to Radio Flyers) proves owner Karen Helburn’s merchandising genius. Check them out here. 

Send A Box of Smiles, Madison

This new subscription box service is happy all around: two Madison women dreamt up this gifting idea, that is available as a one-off or subscription, and based around sourcing from like-minded, women-owned businesses. They’ve gathered groupings of pampering goodies to send for the holidays or no reason at all other than sending a smile. Sweet. Send a box.

Hope & Stetson, Old Saybrook

Hope & Stetson is known for their hip West Hartford clothing shop, but you might not know about their genius “Simple Gesture” gifts. Whether you’re on the hunt for Hannukah, Christmas, or Baby It’s Cold Outside; you’ll find something sweet here. Carefully curated treats in lovely packaging at a good price point. Shop online or in Old Saybrook. Shop here.  

Ashlawn Farm Coffee, Old Saybrook

My dad lives in New Orleans, a town known for great coffee, but he still wants Ashlawn for Christmas. I usually send along a 3-bag sampler of French Roast, Ethiopian and Costa Rican, but you can choose your own in either 12 oz or 5 lb (!) bags, roasted right here in Old Saybrook. Order coffee here. 

Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm, Lyme

Long known in these parts for their award-winning cheese (and crazy delish pesto!), they’re also a go-to for wool gifts like these ridiculously cute sheep socks! Find these, plus hats, throws, mittens and more on their Etsy shop.

Mar Floral, Old Saybrook

My favorite florist, Marlee, offers a monthly subscription service, either a vase or bouquet of her artfully arranged and bountiful blooms, delivered locally. Shop subscriptions here.

Dagmar’s Desserts, Old Saybrook

Cranberry Stollen for Christmas? Yes, please! While lots of us trek to Dagmar for her Buche de Noel, Flourless Chocolate Cake, and Linzer Tortes (among other goodies), she’s happy to ship her Stollen to your friends and family. Three varieties in two sizes. (Also good news is local delivery of all baked goods). Shop Dagmar’s here. 

Paloma’s Nest, East Lyme

We’ve long been fans of Paloma’s Nest’s minimal white ceramic giftables, and the rest of the world is, too. They’ve been featured in everything from Martha Stewart to Magnolia. This time of year, their commemorative dove ornament is the go-to gift, but I wouldn’t say no to those white organic wool flannel personalized stockings, either! Peruse Paloma here. 

Fatstone Farm, Lyme

For me, there’s something pretty fabulous about pouring syrup on my pancakes that’s practically made in my own backyard. And it’s nice to spread the sweetness around, too, with an online purchase of local maple deliciousness (while supporting farming efforts at the same time!). The apple ginger turmeric vinegar and elderberry syrup are strong options, too. Or, what the heck, send the whole pack! Purchase here. 

Just the Right Book, Madison

While I own up to reading plenty on my various gadgets, for me, there is still nothing like cracking the real thing. Answer a few simple, and apparently revealing questions and, voila, a list of books tailored to your taste appears. Let the experts at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison pick out the perfect reading material for your loved ones this year. Pick out books here.

Chabaso, New Haven

You’re probably very familiar with Chabaso breads but what you probably don’t know is their shift (with their sister company Atticus Cafe in the Atticus Bookstore in New Haven) to baking artisanal breads with LOCAL grain. And in the spirit of fostering a local grain economy in the Northeast, they launched the Farm to Loaf gift bundle, offering a glimpse into products they’ve been making with grains sourced from farms in Connecticut and the Northeast. This bread-lovers pack contains Northeast Wheat Ciabatta Rolls, a dense and delish Danish Rye, ready-to-bake chocolate-orange scone mix and a jar of Connecticut Honey.  Get a bundle here.