Eastern Connecticut Holiday Gift Guide
Share the love with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors while helping our region’s businesses thrive.
This handy guide, curated by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, will help you find feel‑good, practical gift ideas, delicious dining, memorable experiences, and ways to give back—featuring our dedicated Chamber members across Eastern Connecticut. No guesswork: just thoughtful local options your family, friends, or coworkers can actually use and enjoy.
(Promotional opportunities like this guide feature exclusively Chamber members. Not yet a member? Learn more today.)
'Tis the Season
Festive Events
Check member-hosted holiday events and seasonal happenings on the Chamber’s member events calendar. Spend quality time together, explore the region in its wintery beauty, and make new, lasting memories this season.
Give Back
Gift with meaning. Support local nonprofits, community groups, or holiday drives that help neighbors in need. These can be donations in someone’s honor, sponsor‑a‑family programs, or volunteer opportunities that feel like a gift to the community.
Practical Gifting
Beyond toys and gadgets, consider gift cards or pre-paid services from our members—home heating and repairs, car care, cleaning, groceries, childcare, pet care, and more. These everyday essentials ease household budgets and satisfy “no more gift” folks on your list.
Gift Ideas
Perfectly Curated
- The Bowerbird – Old Lyme, CT
Perfect for: birthdays, stocking stuffers, new parents, or a unique thoughtful gift.
Think: jewelry, home décor, quality children’s toys, or handcrafted goods you can grab today— or buy online and ship straight home!
Website | (860) 434-3562 | 🛒Online Ordering Available - GG at Home Niantic — Niantic, CT
Perfect for: busy families, host/hostess gifts, and coworkers who appreciate good food without the fuss.
Think: chef-prepared meals, artisanal sides, and seasonal specialties—along with local and artisan foods and delightful kitchen accessories
Website | 860-850-4049 | 🛒Online Ordering Available (Food) - The Ditty Bag Market — Mystic, CT
Perfect for: eco-conscious friends, new homeowners, and anyone trying to cut down on waste in everyday life.
Think: refillable household and personal care products, reusable containers, and sustainable gifts that feel good to give and even better to use.
Website | (860) 980-8020 | 🛒Online Ordering Available
Hobbies & Handmade
- Bank Square Books – Mystic
Perfect for: book lovers, book clubs, or anyone who loves a cozy vibe
Think: local books & national bestsellers, greeting cards, stationery, or small gift bundles that feel personal.
Website | (860) 536-3795 | 🛒Online Ordering Available - Mystic Knotwork – Mystic
Perfect for: coastal New England lovers, boaters, and anyone who loves a nautical touch
Think: handcrafted rope coasters, keychains, bracelets, pet toys, and holiday ornaments – sailor’s knots taken to the next level
Website | (860) 889-3793 | 🛒Online Ordering Available - Wild Birds Unlimited — East Lyme and Old Saybrook
Perfect for: bird lovers, gardeners, anyone who enjoys watching wildlife from their window.
Think: quality bird feeders (which they’ll also clean!), seed blends, birdhouses, baths, and nature-themed gifts – brighten up the backyard
Website | (860) 739-7302 (Niantic) | (860) 661-5567 (Old Saybrook) | 🛒Online Ordering Available
Home & Hardware
- Old Lyme Hardware — Old Lyme, CT
Perfect for: DIYers, and “I’ll just fix it myself” friends.
Think: gift cards for tools, paint, seasonal supplies, and clever problem-solvers from a friendly, neighborhood hardware shop that knows its customers by name.
Website | 860-434-7053 | 🛒Online Ordering Available - Keith’s Appliances — Mystic & Norwich, CT
Perfect for: new homeowners, recent remodels, and anyone upgrading their kitchen or laundry room.
Think: gift cards toward major appliances, from refrigerators and ranges to washers, dryers, and grills—plus expert local service and delivery from a multi-generational family business.
Website | 860-889-2093 | 🛒Online Ordering Available - Ace Hardware — Waterford & Norwich, CT
Perfect for: practical gift-givers and weekend project types.
Think: gift cards toward paint, tools, snow shovels, grill supplies, and everyday home repair items from a locally owned Ace that prides itself on helpful, in-person advice.
Website | (860) 889-3853 (Norwich) | (860) 326-5064 (Waterford) | 🛒Online Ordering Available
Sending love from afar? Ace Hardware in Norwich, Waterford, and Ledyard (inside Holdridge Home & Garden) are UPS shipping providers!
Wear CT Proudly
Connecticut just launched MerchCT — a new shop with 900+ ways to give the gift of state pride this holiday season. With all new, state-official apparel, drinkware, and more, chances are good that your gift recipients won’t already have it! From pizza pride to aerospace roots, it’s built for every kind of Connecticut story.
Shopping Destinations
Mohegan Sun - Uncasville
Why it’s great: Find fashion, jewelry, accessories, sports gear, gifts for kids, and more—all under one roof, with plenty of dining options when you’re done shopping.
Foxwoods Resort Casino & Tanger Outlets - Mashantucket
Why they’re great: Pick up gifts for family, friends, and coworkers from a wide range of national brands and outlet shops, then stay for entertainment or a meal on site.
Olde Mistick Village - Mystic
Don’t Miss: 🛍️Ice Imports 🛍️Arisu 🛍️Cloak and Wand 🛍️Alice in the Village 🛍️Mystic Cinema 🛍️Pink Basil
Why it’s great: Discover an eclectic mix of boutiques and restaurants—all in one festive village setting, complete with cobblestone walkways, a charming duck pond, and an incredible holiday light display.
Food and Drinks
Local Flavor
- Flanders Fish Market — East Lyme, CT
Perfect for: seafood lovers, happy hour with friends, and holiday hosts.
Think: fresh local seafood and chowders to dine-in or take-home, renown Bloody Mary’s, and family-style meals that make Christmas Eve or New Year’s dinner especially easy—and delicious.
Website | (860) 739-8866 |
Online Ordering Available - Buon Appetito Ristorante & Pizzeria — North Stonington, CT
Perfect for: cozy date nights and family dinners.
Think: authentic Italian pastas, seafood, and wood-fired pizzas in a warm, family-owned setting. A gift card here turns into a relaxed, lingering meal that feels like a little trip to Italy without leaving Eastern Connecticut.
Visit their sister restaurant, Cucina al Pantheon, in downtown Mystic.
Website | (860) 535-2333 | Order Gift Certificates Online - Little Pub — Old Saybrook, CT
Perfect for: casual nights out, comfort-food cravings, and relaxed celebrations.
Think: creative pub fare, generous drinks, and a rustic, family-friendly atmosphere. Gift cards let friends or coworkers grab burgers, sharable appetizers, or weekend brunch in a welcoming neighborhood spot.
Website | (860) 339-5591 |Online Ordering Available
Local Pours
- Muddy Waters Cafe — New London, CT
Perfect for: coffee lovers, coworkers and employees, and brunch-date friends.
Think: gift cards for cozy breakfasts, good coffee, and casual lunches with a view of the waterfront and an authentically local vibe.
Website | (860) 444-2232 | Online Ordering Available
👉 More Coffee Shops & Bakeries
- Stonington Vineyards — Stonington, CT
Perfect for: wine enthusiasts, girls’ night, and gracious hosts.
Think: locally made wines, tasting room gift certificates, and bottles to bring to parties or tuck into a holiday gift basket.
Website | 860-535-1222 | Online Ordering Available
👉 More Wineries & Distilleries
- Tox Brewing Company — New London, CT
Perfect for: craft beer fans, happy hour, and casual get-togethers.
Think: inventive small-batch brews, taproom gift cards, or growlers to go—easy host gifts or stocking stuffers for the beer lovers in your life. In the morning, the taproom turns into a laid-back coffee shop.
Website | (860) 440-8127
Experiences & Making Memories
Use the buttons below the images to scroll through our ideas!
Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT
Perfect for: families and children, animal lovers, and out-of-town guests.
Think: day passes, memberships, or behind-the-scenes experiences that make winter weekends more exciting. It’s a local favorite that feels like a getaway without leaving the region.
Website | (860) 572-5955
Great Wolf Lodge, Mashantucke, CT
Perfect for: families and children, multiple generations, and anyone who wants a complete getaway without a long drive.
Think: overnight stays with access to the indoor water park, on-site dining, and kid-friendly activities all under one roof. It’s an easy, weather-proof way to turn a holiday or school break into a memory-making adventure close to home.
Website | (866) 641-9653
Essex Steam Train
Perfect for: families with younger children, rail fans, anyone who loves New England charm.
Think: excursion tickets or special event rides (like the iconic North Pole Express or dinner train) that turn a regular weekend into something memorable. Great for grandparents gifting an outing to share with grandkids!
(Photo: Essex Steam Train Facebook, Kim Tyler Photography)
Website | 860-767-0103
Mystic Seaport Museum – Mystic, CT
Perfect for: history buffs, families, visiting guests, and “no more stuff” people.
Think: tickets or memberships that include access to historic ships, exhibits, and seasonal programming, like Lantern Light Village. Gift shop finds, on-site refreshments, and memberships turn one visit into a year of discovery.
Website | (860) 572-0711
The fun doesn’t stop there: there are many more member destinations offering multi-season activities for all tastes, interests, and abilities.
- Nature’s Art Village (home of The Dinosaur Place), Oakdale
- TreeTrails Adventures, Mystic
- Supercharged Indoor Karting & Axe Throwing, Oakdale
- Garde Arts Center, New London
- Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra, New London
- USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum, Groton
- Game On Mohegan, Uncasville
- Ocean Beach Park, New London
- Top Golf Swing Suite Foxwoods, Mashantucket
- The Last Green Valley, Northeastern CT
Combo Gifts & Experiences: Gift Shops Galore
Don’t forget the mesmerizing experience of strolling through a local museum and the meticulously curated offerings of their gift shops! A membership or set of tickets gives your recipient something to look forward to. Add a beautifully illustrated book, locally themed artwork, or unique keepsakes from the museum shop and you’ve created a gift that celebrates local culture and won’t end up in the return pile.
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Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket
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Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme
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Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich
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Coogan Farm, Mystic (Part of Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center)
More Gift Ideas
Wellness & Pampering
- The Spa at Norwich Inn — Norwich, CT
Perfect for: stressed-out parents, caregivers, or anyone who needs a reset.
Think: spa day packages, massages, facials, and overnight stays. A gift card here turns into a quiet day away from holiday chaos and winter stress.
Website | (860) 425-3500 - Sirena Medical Aesthetics — Waterford, CT
Perfect for: anyone who wants to look refreshed heading into the new year.
Think: medically supervised skincare, injectables, laser treatments, and glow-boosting facials tailored to your skin goals. It’s a polished, confidence-boosting gift card option for someone who’d appreciate results-driven care in a calm, welcoming setting.
Website | (860) 333-9177 - Cerulean Spa — Groton, CT
Perfect for: friends, partners, or relatives who need a true spa day.
Think: sea-inspired massages, facials, body rituals, and salon services, plus access to amenities at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. A gift card here turns into a full day of relaxation, with the option to add lunch, pool time, or a future overnight stay.
Website | (860) 446-2500
Office Gifts & Parties
- A Thyme To Cook
Perfect for: office holiday parties, milestone celebrations, and client receptions.
Think: custom menus, beautifully presented hors d’oeuvres, and full-service event support—from rentals and bar service to setup and cleanup. It’s a seasoned, award-winning catering team that can transform any space into a polished, locally sourced celebration your staff and guests will remember.
Website | (860) 887-5932 - Ray’s Catering
Perfect for: office holiday lunches, open houses, and team celebrations.
Think: crowd-pleasing menus, hearty comfort foods, and flexible packages that can fit everything from a casual in-office spread to a more formal reception. It’s an easy way to keep your team well-fed and happy while supporting a local caterer.
Website | 860-861-0583
Office Gifts
- Halo Branded Solutions
Perfect for: client gifts, staff appreciation, and event giveaways.
Think: branded jackets, drinkware, bags, tech accessories, and gift sets that feel useful—no throwaway swag here.
Website | (860) 460-7221 - R&B Apparel Plus
Perfect for: branded staff apparel, team gifts, and casual event wear.
Think: custom-logo jackets, embroidered polos, hoodies, hats, and tote bags that keep your team looking unified on and off the clock.
Website | (860) 333-1757
Where Friends & Family Can Stay
- Hyatt Place Mystic — Mystic, CT
Perfect for: parents and relatives who want to be close to everything.
Think: comfortable rooms, breakfast on site, and walkable access to Olde Mistick Village, Mystic Aquarium, and downtown Mystic. It’s a convenient home base when you’re hosting but don’t have extra space at home. - Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa — Groton, CT
Perfect for: extended family stays and visitors who want hotel amenities.
Think: spacious rooms, on-site dining and spa services, and quick access to major highways and area attractions. Guests get a relaxing stay while you get a little extra breathing room at home. - Saybrook Point Resort & Marina — Old Saybrook, CT
Perfect for: couples or relatives looking for a special winter getaway.
Think: waterfront views, spa services, and cozy dining without traveling far. It’s an easy way to turn a holiday visit into a mini-vacation on the scenic Connecticut shoreline. - Hilton Garden Inn Mystic/Groton — Groton, CT
Perfect for: visiting family who want comfort and convenience.
Think: newly renovated with modern rooms, an indoor pool, and easy access to I-95 and nearby attractions like Mystic, New London, and the casinos. It’s an easy place to book for relatives who prefer hotel-style amenities while staying close to the people they’re here to see.