Find the 2021 Holiday Guide here.
This year of all years we are encouraging central Iowa families to support our local businesses and find unique holiday gifts!
The holiday season is an important one for small businesses every year and will be even more critical in 2020. As you start making your holiday shopping lists, keep in mind that shopping small means supporting your local economy. When shopping locally, $68 for every $100 stays in the community. Let’s show our support for our local Des Moines businesses and reward and support them for meeting the challenges of running a small business in this time of COVID!
Tips for shopping local this holiday season in Des Moines:
- Shop local in person. Don your mask and use a sunny day as an excuse to get out and take a walk to discover new gift ideas. Believe it or not, many small businesses still do not have websites. You can seek out their social media sites to see what they have to offer. No ecommerce available? Message them or give them a call and ask about gift ideas and cards that you can purchase for family and friends. Then, take advantage of curbside pickup.
- Shop local online. Online shopping has traditionally been dominated by big box retailers. However, many small businesses have increased their e-commerce capabilities to generate revenue. Shoppers concerned about shopping in person this holiday season should explore the delivery and curbside pickup options available at locally owned small businesses. Businesses that have not traditionally been allowed to deliver, such as breweries and wineries, have been able to do so during the outbreak, giving consumers unlimited online shopping options.
- Purchase gift cards. Gift cards take the guesswork out of holiday shopping, and cards are easily shipped or even emailed to loved ones. That’s a significant benefit during the 2020 holiday season, when delivery times are expected to be lengthy. Gift cards to local businesses simplify holiday shopping, support small businesses and help shoppers avoid potential delivery delays.
- Share your experience. Word-of-mouth is vital to small businesses at any time, and can be especially valuable as they try to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Holiday shoppers can share their experiences with local businesses via social media. Share information about the lengths local small businesses have gone to in regard to safety measures, order fulfillment and their delivery and pickup efforts. Such sharing may compel neighbors and friends to follow your lead and provide vital support to local businesses in need this holiday season.
To support local businesses, many area chambers of commerce and business districts are planning events to encourage shoppers to do their holiday shopping close to home. Here are some highlights for the Des Moines area. Let us know in the comments if we missed something. We’d love to add even more cities to the list!
Holiday shopping events in the Des Moines area:
Ankeny
Hometown Holidays in Uptown Ankeny
Experience the flavor of locally owned, one of a kind businesses that love to dial it up for the holidays. Included in the festivities this year are a friendly neighborhood lighting competition and a dazzling drive (or walk) through light experience spanning the streets of Uptown as well as the Ankeny Market Pavilion. While you are in the neighborhood, park the car and explore. You’ll find the shops open on Thursday evenings for Mistletoe Mingle Nights and other special shopping planned throughout the coming weeks.
Clive
Shop Small Scavenger Hunt
Looking to have a little fun, support the local business community and enter to win prizes? Then the Shop Small Scavenger Hunt is for you! At 8:00 am on Saturday, November 28, 2020 the link to the Shop Small Scavenger Hunt will be posted. Hunters have until 4:00 pm to answer as many clues as possible. Winners and prizes will be announced on Clive Chamber Facebook Page.
Des Moines
Beaverdale Holiday Happenings
The Beaverdale Neighborhood Association will kick off the holiday shopping season on December 5, 2020. They have a number of events planned throughout the day. Many of Beaverdale’s shops and businesses will also be hosting open houses, offering specials, and staying open late. Then continue to shop the Beaverdale business area throughout the holidays!
Holiday Promenade
The Historic East Village provides a unique experience for the community with a mix of shops, restaurants, holiday lights and attractions including Brenton Skating Plaza, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the State Historical Building and the Iowa State Capitol. November 15 through December 23, 2020 the shopping district will be hosting 12 Days of Holiday Promenade. Each Sunday will feature a holiday activity and reserved parking for easy package pickups, and businesses will have special deals and features within their business each Wednesday.
Keep the Cheer Here – Des Moines Buy Local Initiative
When you choose to shop local, you are SAVING local. In effort to grow local business support, Keep the Cheer Here is a partnership between FuseDSM, Des Moines Downtown, and Des Moines West Side Chambers of Commerce. Cash prizes include $2,500 grand prize, $1,000 runner up and $500 3rd place. Simply enter your information, upload a photo of your receipt, and be entered to win. Contest goes until December 30, and the winners will be announced on social media. Rules and regulations apply.
Indianola
Small Business Saturday -#ThinkIndianolaFirst
The Indianola Chamber of Commerce is asking you to Take the Pledge to Shop Local this holiday season and celebrate Small Business Saturday in Indianola November 28, 2020 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Shoppers are invited both into stores and online to enjoy holiday specials, unique gifts and local flavors.
West Des Moines
Small Business Weekend
Small Business Saturday isn’t big enough to contain Valley Junction’s excitement about the holidays – so this year get ready for Small Business Weekend, November 27-29, 2020! Many of their businesses will be offering shopping specials that will be announced each day and via their e-mail list.
Multiple Communities
Shop Central Iowa
The Central Iowa Shop Where I Live marketplace is brought to you by the Boone, Grimes, Johnston, Indianola, Urbandale and West Des Moines Chambers of Commerce. It’s an online store front for local businesses that provides the ease of online shopping to consumers. You can now shop many local businesses at the same time, year-round, 24/7, from the comfort of your own home.
Shop Iowa
Hosted by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, this online site is your one-stop for small Iowa retailers.
Every year I make a concerted effort to shop small and local for the holidays. This year, I’m taking it up a notch and trying to make every purchase from a local business in the Des Moines area. Will you join me?
