Find the 2021 Holiday Fun Guide here.
This holiday season, I’ve been keeping my eye out for fun unique local products, to help you find the perfect gifts for your family and friends. There are so many small businesses (storefront and on-line) in Des Moines, that it makes it easy to shop local. From toys that spark creativity to special hand-made items, you’ll find just what you need in our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.
Bozz Prints
Shop on-line at Bozz Prints to pick up this festive art print. The “Des Moines Snow Globe” print is available as an 8″ x 10″ art print with archival ink on ultra-smooth fine art paper.
Glazed Expressions
8826 Swanson Boulevard • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 224-4700
Grab a Christmas Ornament Pottery-To-Go Kit and your kids can make some great mementos for the grands. Paint the ornaments at home and then drop them off to be fired in the kiln at Glazed Expressions. Pottery-To-Go Kits include eight flat ceramic ornaments of your choice, a marker to design with, paint brushes, and your choice of eight paint colors! Additional ornaments and paint colors can be purchased.
The Learning Post
2761 100th Street • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 331-8008
Has your grade schooler been asking for Squishies? Look no further, The Learning Post has over 60 different kinds! These soft, squeezable toys are made of polyurethane foam, similar to the classic “stress ball”. Squishies can be squeezed over and over again and still return to their original form afterwards. They come in a huge variety of shapes including animals, food, and pop culture characters. The average price is only $4.99 so they make great stocking stuffers!
Locally Grown Clothing Company
350 E Locust Street #101 • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 850-6726
Support local and show your state pride with this kids Iowa Solid State ‘Locally Grown’ super soft vintage tee. This Made in the USA t-shirt comes in kids sizes ranging from 2-12. You can also purchase onesies for your LOs. Pick from Vintage Black, Vintage Kelly, Heather Blue and Pink.
Mainstream Boutique
Two Locations in Ankeny & Waukee
These adorable hedgehog mittens should be under every tree and in every stocking! Perfect for that hard to buy for niece, babysitter, dance helper etc. They are fleeced lined and come in three colors: brown, grey or white. One-Size.
ARL
5452 NE 22nd Street • Des Moines, IA 50313 • (515) 473-9101
We can’t forget our fur babies! Made from sustainable hemp, these Kong Friends Hemp cat and dog toys clean teeth and gums during play. The dog toys crinkle and squeak, and the cat toys crinkle and are stuffed with premium catnip for added fun. The toys come in four sizes.
Go Go Yoga for Kids
No need to leave your cozy home to take advantage of a great Black Friday deal. Go Go Yoga for Kids has put together a fun book and card bundle. Get the best-selling Kids Yoga Guide: Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Using Yoga With Kids by local author Sara J. Weis. And, bonus you’ll receive Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards, which includes 30 fun yoga poses.
Chocolate Storybook
1000 Grand Avenue • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 226-9893
Every gift guide needs a little something sweet on it, right? Light and airy – hand-spun cotton candy makes a great holiday treat. These sugary clouds of fun are a Chocolate Storybook house specialty. They have tons of fun flavors, but this time of year their holiday flavors of Hot Chocolate, Candy Cane Peppermint and Christmas Sugar Cookie are particularly fun.
Subsect Skate Shop
309 E Walnut Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 276-4365
If you have a kiddo looking to get their first skate board check out Subsect Skate Shop. If they are asking for a new “deck” try to find out what brand and size, they are interested in. This goes for wheels as well. And, if you don’t know or are unsure, let Subsect know and they won’t put grip on. That way if you choose the wrong one, you’ll be able to switch it out after Christmas. Since boards are customized, costs will vary.
Uniquely Stated Jewelry
Show your Iowa pride with this adorable, petite charm necklace. Each charm hangs on a gold-filled chain or sterling silver chain. The pendants are gold plated (gold option) or sterling silver plated (silver option). They make a great personalized gift for tweens, teens, friends, family and more. The I Heart Iowa Necklace can be ordered on-line.
What’s on your holiday shopping list? Let us know if you’ve found a cool local product that we just can’t live without!
