[parentologist]

Any ideas for a local independent store in the Greater Hartford area from which to get a food-type gift for all our (good) tenants? Planning to spend under $25/household, need to get for about a dozen households. I'd rather spend the money locally than buy off the internet.

[Dornette]

Italian cookies/baked goods from Mozzicato's in Htfd, or Pasticceria in Bloomfield, multiple excellent Ct microbrews, Halls market in W. Hartford, & Kanes Market in Simsbury have local & small batch goods, Bridgewater Chocolate and Munson's Chocolate, Mystic Chips, Lyman Orchards gift baskets/boxes, Local farm honey & maple syrup, some CT wines can make nice gifts (Rosedales; Ballet of Angels), Cato Corner Farm Cheeses -- just off the top of my head. Maybe make a small gift basket.

[mels]

If you need them shipped, Stew Leonard's did some very nice baskets for me last year and delivery was prompt. I had a lot of dietary/religious restrictions to work with and also some recipients were more health conscious (a.k.a. would not want cookies, pastries, etc.), so it worked for me since they offer a huge variety. People tend to love them and there are lots of different options. I tend to get cookie/sweet fatigue this time of year and I always appreciate it when something different is available.

[Stylo]

Not in Hartford but Villa Gourmet in Milford will do custom gift baskets and ship them. Not sure if they go as low as $25, but it's worth asking. They are great.

[P Cyr]

Whole Foods in Glastonbury or West Hartford has some great stuff.