Buying unique gifts for family and friends is one way to show support and care during the holidays. Shopping at small businesses is another. Why not combine the two?

Whether your loved ones are interested in gardening, reading, or snacking on treats, there are gifts to be found for a variety of interests right here in town, and at some nearby towns’ small businesses. A few of these businesses shared favorite gift ideas.

Puzzled over what to get someone? How about... a puzzle? Queen Street Gifts, 3 Queen Street, offers a variety of puzzles for all ages — and if you have trouble picking just one, there are double-sided puzzles, too. Queen Street Gifts Owner Andrea Appelbaum noted that with more people home, puzzles and games have been hot sellers.

“We’ve always carried them. This year we just can’t keep them in stock. They’re flying off the shelves,” Appelbaum said.

The New Yorker puzzles, including 1,000 piece varieties that sell for $19.50, are among the most popular, because of their “whimsical, fun topics,” Appelbaum said. The store has puzzles in a range of sizes, including 500 and 750 pieces.

Another good gift option from Queen Street is candles, including Plaid Rooster Co Candles made by Appelbaum. These are all natural, made from essential oils and plant-based soy from US farms, with cotton wicks. Depending on how much money you have to burn on a gift, these candles come in three sizes: 8 ounce for $18.50, 12 ounce for $21.50, and 16 ounce for $24.50.

Queen Street offers free in-town delivery, Appelbaum said.

Toys are ideal for children, and games can be ideal to bring children and parents together. Staff at The Toy Tree, 14 Church Hill Road, suggest games including Pencil Nose, Kids Against Maturity, and Reverse Charades. “Fun and laughter for everyone is guaranteed. These games help you make the most of family time,” The Toy Tree staff stated in an e-mail to The Newtown Bee.

It is not all just fun and games at The Toy Tree, which also carries jewelry, scarves, handbags, and more. “We all deserve some self-care and tranquility — cozy up and rejuvenate with these aromatic candles,” The Toy Tree staff recommends, referring to a selection of locally made candles.

Alice Hutchinson, owner of Byrd’s Books, 178 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel, said there are several selections that make for good reads, in addition to the shop’s collection of puzzles and journals.

Erik Larson’s The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz is a nonfiction book about the life of Winston Churchill. A fiction option is The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline, based on the immigration and migration stories of three women. “It’s a great tale — it really is,” Hutchinson said.

Caitlin Lucian, owner of Strength & Grace Boutique, 115 Church Hill Road, said that shoppers can contact her store and have an employee create a gift basket with a wide range of items such as ornaments, mugs, body mist, bath bombs, hair ties, jewelry, and clothes. Gift boxes can also include candles from Newtown-based 83 Main Candle Company, whose products are sold at the store. There are gift boxes specific to children and teachers as well, Lucian said. Gift boxes can be made for as little as $10 or $15 on up.

“We can make it to any budget. We can meet the needs of anybody,” Lucian said.

Another gift idea, Lucian said, is one she suggests for all local business shoppers. “One of the best ways you can support any small business this holiday season is the gift cards,” Lucian said.

Hollandia Gift & Garden, 95 Stony Hill Road in Bethel, has everything from Christmas ornaments and plants ideal for this season’s decorating to items that will get the green thumb in your life ready for spring.

“We have some great birding products,” Hollandia general manager Kathy Krizan said. These items include bird houses and feeders. Winter’s snow will melt and frozen ground will thaw eventually. Hollandia’s garden baskets include seeds, seed starter kits, tools, and gloves.

UK Gourmet, 78 Stony Hill Road in Bethel, offers a wide range of food and gift items, including cheeses and treats. Store owner Lisa Whitmore suggests Thorntons Toffee, Fudge, & Caramel Collection for $26.50 or another sweet tooth fix with the Nestle Black Magic box for $10. Both options include a variety of chocolates. The Thorntons box includes butterscotch fudge and nutty caramel, which has a combination of hazelnut praline and gooey caramel encased in a smooth white chocolate swirl. In the Black Magic box, you will find Almond Crunch, Raspberry Heaven, Orange Sensation, and more.

Villarina’s Pasta Shop, 20 Church Hill Road, sells a variety of dried pastas, some in holiday-themed shapes, bake mixes, crackers, olives, oil and vinegar, and other items ideal for make-your-own gift baskets — many products are made in Newtown as well as neighboring and nearby towns.

Goatboy Soaps, WrenHouse Candles, Hannan Honey, Gracious Gourmet spreads, Windover Farm syrup, The Healing Herb Garden elderberry teas, and DoggyLicious all natural dog treats are among the locally made items on the shelves of Villarina’s.

“The big push this year, and we’ve always believed in it anyway, is shop local and support local,” said Ingrid Schneider, owner of Villarina’s, adding that a go-to item at her store is the always-popular, premium Bridgewater Chocolate.

“Who doesn’t love chocolate? Excellent quality — local,” Schneider said.

Businesses offer shoppers the option to check out their stores in person, with hand sanitizer at the door, or shop online and arrange for curbside pickup. Check their websites or Facebook pages for more details, including delivery options.

Numerous other businesses were contacted, but were unable to respond before the deadline for this article. Be sure to see the past print editions of The Newtown Bee, including the November 20 Holiday Gift Guide and the November 27 issue, which included special Shop Small/Buy Local advertisement pages. Other businesses with holiday gift options include BD Provisions for coffee and more, Castle Hill Chocolate, Your Healthy Pet for your furry friend needs, Lorraine K Boutique in Monroe, Bethel businesses The Toy Room, Patricia’s Presents, Gift Cottage, and The Relay Bookhouse, as well as Ridgefield’s Touch of Sedona.

It is never too late to shop locally, and what a time saver!