What New Haven Notables Want For the Holidays
SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO POWER NEW HAVEN SHARE WHAT’S ON THEIR WISHLIST
Cool people suggest cool presents. It’s why I spoke with the New Haven baristas, ravers, knitters, bike mechanics, arts reporters, artist-activists, DJ’s, and more who power our city. Here’s what they suggest:
Dean Jair
Organizer of Album Club at Volume 2
Seemingly every best gift I’ve ever received in my twenties has included chocolate. On my last birthday, my roommates gave me a box of truffles from MELT Chocolatier in Milford. Each one was one hundred percent that bitch, mosaics of flavors and textures so delicately arranged like jazz numbers. I think we should all crave them. They’re everything our winters should be seduced by.
PADDY MEYER
Cafe Nine
A cheesesteak from Munchies and glizzies from Jordan’s Hot Dog and Mac. I love both these spots because the food is amazing and the owners are cool, down to earth New Haven folks.
Steven Roberts
founder of Push to Start Skate Program
1. Max B freed out the can
2. No scooter kids at Edgewood.
3. More New Haven Indy burner accounts.. Comment section is sometimes as good as the article.
4. Another Hillhouse state championship
5. Scantlebury Skatepark expansion
6. More opportunities to cook for my favorite skateboarders.
7. To blow up and act like I don’t know nobody
8. To win Bassett Summer League.
9. Soul Train lines at parties
10. To be a little better than I was yesterday but not as good as I will be tomorrow.
Caroline Tanbee Smith
Ward 8 Alder-Elect
UConn vs. Notre Dame women's basketball ticket. Ever since I was a kid, I've played basketball — and still love organizing pickup games on the Wilbur Cross High School outdoor courts. I am a big fan of UConn women's basketball; a group of us will fill Christopher Martin's bar on Upper State Street cheering on Azzi, Paige, Aaliyah — and the entire team who play with excellence and heart. They play Notre Dame in Storrs in January and I'd love to get a crew together to go root for our Connecticut huskies!
Ruby Gonzalez Hernandez
Artist, community activator, educator, and curator
Lunch Money Print exists to provide well-made and thought-provoking contemporary art that is affordable to everyday people. Art deserves to be accessible, and that can absolutely go hand in hand supporting the artist who creates it. Pieces range from $50-$300, and every penny in profit goes directly back to the artist who made it.
Paul Crosby
Barista and Co-Owner of the Jitterbus
I kick off at “Keys to the Past” a vintage shop, I’ll strive to get all my shopping done there (even though I never do). Now with Plush in town I'm definitely gonna do a lot of shopping there. And I’ll finish up at Strangeways, which is the perfect place to end because you can find a little something for everyone to completely shut down the stress of shopping for the holidays. Although at the end of the day, i’m making a lot of my gifts. It’s usually a hit, and makes you really think about the people you are shopping for.
Karen Ponzio
New Haven Independent Arts Reporter
I would love matching red velvet hoodies for me and our dog Baxter because we both love fashion and being cozy. I have a sense I’ll be buying them myself though because no one else in the house enjoys when I dress up the dog (except me and the dog! Ha!).
Brianna Williams
artist and community organizer
Noteworthy New Haven nights will always include your beloved company, gourmet food, and meaning making moments. Let me set you up. Grab your honey, your boo thing or your bestie. Make your way to college st. Start at Villa lulu (in the bar section only) I recommend the squid ink pasta or the rigatoni all vodka. Both dishes will change your life and taste buds forever. Skip dessert, head to Owl Shop, Order the espresso martini ( with baileys!!). Bring a card game and you’re going to feel like an old timey, well nourished baddie! Enjoy xoxo
New Haven Sketchers
Cityscape Artist Collective
We're asking Santa for a few pieces by local artist David Hogin who does work through Chapel Haven Schleifer Center. Very cool, bright and vibrant streetscape. Fingers crossed!
Marianna Apostolakis
East Rock House Co-founder
One thing I’ve had my eye on this year is a leather dopp kit from Beacon Craft Studio - it’s hand-stitched and made locally in New Haven, which I really love. There’s something about good quality leather that feels so high-end but also practical to me - I know it’ll hold up for a long time. Other than that, I’m really hoping for things that are handmade - everyone I know is so artsy and creative, and I’m a huge sucker for gifts that feel personal and sentimental that way.
Luke Devereux
East Rock House Co-founder
I want art from my friends! Bought or homemade, good or bad (aka good), representational or abstract, I want it all. If my friends think I'll like it, that's enough for me to love it.
AUDREY GELLAR
WAX AND LASH ARTIST
Allison Chew and Chris Chew
Co-founders of Chew–Chew Designs
We loveee NY-based illustrator Sophie Page’s work in every medium she touches. She just stocked some incredible, adorable throws for the chilly season.
Arev Torosyan
CO-Organizer of Heaven Dance Nights
A pretty looking rock.
Qween Kong
Gillian: A switch blade, a great gift for any city gal.
Melody: On the same side of danger, a fancy lighter is on her wishlist
Cara: Legend of Zelda: Majora’s mask for N64, preferably haunted.
Brendan Toller
DJ and Organizer of Shake and Vibrate
The smoked chiles at Tlaxcala Grocery on State St. New Haven are what you need in your life. Flavor up them with holiday beans, or Christmas chili and you can thank me later!
Indigaux
Musician and artist
1) - sponsorship to support my art: someone to cover the cost of a studio session, a music video production. something like that. a sugar zaddy but for art, not s3x lol but hitting my CashApp is also okay ♡ $PunqNoire
2) a custom cartoonized poster of myself (in fae form) by @Viteloi 💕🧚🏼 or another Black femme illustrator ✨
3) The best quality headphones out there! Bose or Beats~ I want to be able to taste the earcandy in each song 🍭👄
Isabelle Barron
Owner/Farmer of Fairy Meadow Flowers
A (large) gift certificate for Broken Arrow Nursery is always on my wishlist. The plants that I grow from there add whole new dimensions to our gardens and floral designs. Walking around their land in the springtime is heaven.
Kai Addae
Bradley Street Bike Co-Op Mechanic-Teacher and Radical Adventure Riders New Haven
The tiniest plant and pot you can find at Bark and Vine! They have such a cute assortment of small plants and unique little pots for them.
Frank Amaefuna
Man-about-town
A varsity crewneck from Lower Forms in Westville if you are trying to really make somebody feel warm and cozy for the holidays! It’s sustainable, for the earth (& your pockets) AND they have such an assortment of other threads if you want to get something for yourself!
Lauren Anderson
Owner of Possible Futures bookstore
Any cuff from Free Maiden, run by the amazing Rashana Miller. This women-owned, Black-owned small business creates pieces that are unique, beautiful and built to last. I already have some earrings that I love; they’re always my favorites to wear.
Rosalie Ortiz
Musician
When I think of a gift, especially during the holiday season, what comes to mind is Martinelli’s Apple Juice! It brings me such comfort and transports me back to a time of calmness and joy.
Dennis Carroll
Knit artist
Any brave or beginner knitters looking for a project to try, this Annie Isobel hall vest is one of my favorites. only a fiver for a legendary knit :0 Also a Chew–Chew Who cake tote or any of their earrings, I personally like their jellyfish and tennis ball pairs the best.
