The Best Gifts from Downtown DSM Shops in 2023
Whether you’re counting down to Christmas Day, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other December holiday, Downtown Des Moines (DSM) small business owners are happy to help you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones and items for holiday festivities. While you can visit downtown at any time to see unique items from our locally owned businesses, we’ve compiled a list of ideas here to help!
Check out the 10+ ideas for holiday shopping below!
All images from Instagram accounts linked in the SHOP NOW links below.
1. Holiday Party Dresses from Aimée (426 E. Locust St.)
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Check out the stylish women’s clothing at Aimée in the Historic East Village. The items shown would be perfect for a holiday party! Aimée offers a range of items from warm sweaters to colorful blouses to trousers that easily allow the wearer to slip from day to night.
Pair your Aimée purchase with:
2. Bakeware from Kitchen Collage (430 E. Locust St.)
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Festive bakeware from brands like Le Creuset are an ideal gift for friends and family who love to bake, or buy for yourself so you’re prepared for your next holiday gathering. You can also find kitchen gadgets that make great stocking stuffers at Kitchen Collage.
Pair your Kitchen Collage bakeware with:
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new holiday entertaining items and accessories from West Elm for your next gathering
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decorative candle holders handmade in Des Moines from Sticks, Inc.
3. Membership from Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (909 Robert D. Ray Dr.)
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When the winter weather hits and you need somewhere to hide from those Midwest winds, stay warm walking through the tropical paradise found at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Right off the Principal Riverwalk, you’ll have a beautiful view as you drive to this Downtown DSM attraction. Spend time in the dome, grab a bite to eat at Trellis and, finally, make a purchase at the Garden Shop!
Pair your Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden membership with:
4. Art Under $500 from Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design (111 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 110)
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Did you know that Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design is one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s top 70 small businesses in America? If you know someone creative who has an eye for beautiful art, check out the Liz Lidgett’ Gallery + Design Holiday Shop for vibrant pieces sure to bring happiness to any recipient’s home or office this holiday season.
Pair your Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design art pieces with:
5. To-Go Cans from the Lua Brewing (1525 High St.)
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At Lua Brewing, Historic Sherman Hill’s oldest craft brewery, grab to-go items for your favorite brew enthusiast. Lua Brewing also offers Iowa’s first cannabis-infused beverages from Climbing Kites. They’re gluten-free, vegan and alcohol-free!
Pair your to-go cans from Lua Brewing with:
6. Holiday Best Sellers from Eden (418 E. 6th St.)
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When you shop at Downtown DSM’s apothecary shop, Eden, you’ll find luxury products from around the world to surprise your mom, sister, bestie and more! Pick up a gift set, or send a virtual gift card.
Pair your gift set from Eden with:
7. New Vinyl Records from Marv’s Music (506 E. 6th St., Ste. 200)
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Pick out a new vinyl for the music buff in your life from the Historic East Village’s Marv’s Music. This shop also hosts in-store performances, so keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to see musicians in action.
Pair your vinyl from Marv’s Music with:
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a music-themed shirt from the arts collection at Raygun (see the “Stay Tuned” t-shirt or can cooler, the “Low Key” t-shirt or “Sounds Better on Wax” die-cut sticker)
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one of the notebooks from Moglea Studio — your music loving recipient can jot down song ideas and lyrics
8. Briefcase or Tote Bag from Fontenelle Supply Co. (524 E. Grand Ave.)
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Fontenelle offers accessories like gloves, hats, belts and wallets, but it’s the briefcase options that have us swooning. This is a gift perfect for a friend who is on the go, or a busy spouse who needs to always keep the essentials with them.
Pair your Fontenelle briefcase with:
9. Hotel Stay with City Views at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown (435 Park St.)
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If family is visiting, gift a hotel stay in Downtown DSM, or plan a staycation with friends and go ahead and book a room at Hilton Des Moines Downtown. When you stay at the hotel, enjoy Park Street Kitchen dining options, including a coffee bar and craft beer and cocktail bar.
Pair your hotel stay at Hilton Des Moines Downtown with:
10. Membership to Climb Iowa (150 E. 4th St.)
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With a membership to Climb Iowa in the Historic East Village, climbers can experience walls up to 14’ in the heart of Downtown DSM. Tack on a climbing shoe to your gift or book a workshop so they can learn how to become an even better climber.
Pair your Climb Iowa membership with:
11. Warmies® Slippers from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines (1200 Pleasant St.)
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While the holiday season is a time to celebrate, there are some who might miss out on the festivities due to an illness or injury. If you know a patient at UnityPoint — or employee, for that matter — in need of cheering up this holiday season, these microwaveable slippers are the perfect choice.
Pair your slippers from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines with:
The holiday season is the perfect time to shop local in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Support local businesses, creators and makers across the region. You can find ideas on where to shop using the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s #DSMlocal Guides and other regional business directories listed here.
Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options. Find event information and follow @downtownDSMUSA on Facebook and Instagram for other news, tips and events happening downtown.
Greater Des Moines Partnership
DSM USA is the regional identifier for Greater Des Moines (DSM). DSM USA is a bold statement to the world: This is a welcoming, diverse and vibrant community with affordable and accessible amenities for residents and businesses. This regional identifier is the result of significant quantitative and qualitative research.
The Partnership will champion the DSM USA message, and encourages its Investors, its more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and DSM USA Ambassadors to help share the region's story with One Voice.