10 Teacher Appreciation Week Gift Ideas

Say thanks to your favorite teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week — Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10 — by shopping local at Greater Des Moines (DSM) small businesses. Retailers around the region have gift cards, trinkets and other gifts perfect for the educators working in our communities. Show teachers some love next week by shopping at the 10 shops below and others around DSM!

Teacher Appreciation Week Gift Ideas

• Cold Stone Creamery & Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: In Ankeny, stop in at Cold Stone Creamery & Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to pick up some chocolates or order an e-gift card.
• Madison County Mercantile: Stop in at Madison County Mercantile in Winterset for teacher gifts like journals, picture frames, candles or even something from the chocolate case. Spring chocolates include cherry and lemon cream!
• Marilyn’s Hallmark Shop: A thank-you card with a sweet note is a simple, yet thoughtful gesture any teacher will appreciate. Marilyn’s Hallmark Shop in Altoona has many to choose from so stop in this weekend to find the perfect one.
• McAlister’s Deli: The “Best Teacher Ever” gift card to McAlister’s Deli is good for sandwiches, salads and McAlister’s Famous Tea!
• Outlets of Des Moines: Send a Bath & Body Works for a “Dear Teacher, You’re Scent-Sational” gift card or stop in at the store and pick out some scented hand sanitizers. A 2025 desk or wall calendar from Go! Calendars, Toys and Games is a helpful gift for teachers, too.
• Pageturners Bookstore: Send a virtual gift card from Pageturners Bookstore in Indianola. It’ll be emailed to the recipient, or you can buy online and pick up in the store.
• Rising Sun Café: Baked goods like gooey cinnamon rolls, and savory coffee are a great teacher gift option. Polk City’s café on the square opens at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday so you can pick up what you need before the school day starts.
• The Little Book: Grab a gift card or pick out a few classroom books at this new independent bookstore in the Highland Park neighborhood. You can also find notebooks, planners and pencil pouches, too!
• Trendy Gardener: Enjoy a mimosa this weekend at the Weekender Sip & Shop event in West Des Moines while you pick out a plant gift for a favorite teacher that’s eco-friendly, personalized and thrives indoors.
• Twisted Bean: Already in Urbandale, Twisted Bean will hold a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening in Ankeny during Teacher Appreciation Week. Stop in for discounts, giveaways and grab a gift card for a teacher while you’re there.

For more ideas on small businesses to support, check out the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Membership Directory.

With the #7 Lowest Cost of Living in the U.S. and a Top Metro for Number of Economic Development Projects (among metros with a population of 200,000 to 1 million), Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a region where you can have it all. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.