MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - s4story -- Next Door Creations has launched the Connecticut Holiday Gift Guide, a statewide project designed to help shoppers discover local gifts while giving small businesses another way to reach holiday customers.

Submissions are open to Connecticut shops, makers, and experience providers, including businesses that sell exclusively online. The guide will feature gift ideas for children, teens, and adults, with categories covering food, books, clothing, jewelry, toys, experiences, and more. Gift cards are welcome.

Created by Connecticut business owner Lauryn Wendus, the guide features submissions from businesses across the state, with marketing professionals and community organizations helping spread the word to businesses and shoppers. A portion of participation fees will support advertising for the guide.

More on S For Story

• For National Novel Writing Month: Check out a Painting and a Poem by Robert M. Barrows called "The Publisher's and Producer's Lament"
• American Liberty Publishers Announces Two New Author Releases: A Memoir and a Cookbook
• Award-Winning Author Publishes Memoir
• More than 50 authors to participate in 2026 Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books
• Architects of Authoritarianism: The Claremont Institute and the Making of the MAGA New Right

"Small-business owners already do so much themselves. I wanted to bring Connecticut gift ideas together in one place and put our marketing skills toward helping more people discover them," said Wendus.

Participation starts at $25, with a $50 option for prioritized placement. There are no sales commissions or additional required fees. Submissions close October 31, 2026.

For details or to submit a gift or experience, visit https://CTGiftGuide.com.

About Next Door Creations

Next Door Creations is a Connecticut-based creative studio founded by Lauryn Wendus, offering business tools and marketing services that help small businesses connect with customers.