What a fun little shop! The owner was very friendly and celebrating her 1 year business…read moreanniversary. This location is the store front for funky little gifts to celebrate various occasions. I picked up the perfect card to have on hand in the event a friend has a pet pass away. Be sure to look at their website for curated gift boxes.

From the owner: When life calls for the perfect gift - get happy! You're sure to find something from our wide…read moreselection of curated items including greeting cards, home decor, bar and cocktail, gourmet foods, self care and spa, humor and sass. Our specialty is the Happy Box, a creative twist on the traditional care package. Shop online for ready-to-go curated gifts or BYO (build your own). If you need to send your gift, we can ship for you.

I'm obsessed with this store and already want to go back even though I was just there yesterday…read more The postcard selection alone will knock your socks off! So, so many great options and all affordable prices so I actually spent some money! Don't miss it.

It's cute! It's kitsch! It's cottage core and homemade. Definitely a spot for someone looking to…read moremake their space cozy and cute. Local business that sells local goods. Nothing will be cheap, but you'll look and feel nice and have supported a small business. I'm partial to the homemade soaps and plant vibes.

Heat Of Iowa is a cute store filled with many great gifts for yourself or others…read more Located on a bustling street filled with shops, this place offers a lot. Home decor, trinkets, chocolate cow patties and homemade fudge fill the room. My friend purchased a beautiful wooden cutting board in the shape of Iowa. The woman working did her job but wasn't too friendly. That's ok, it did not change our experience.

Okay, we fell for their sign "world's best fudge". I'm not sure it's the world's best, but it was…read morepretty good, see my fudge pic. I declined their discount pricing for large quantities of fudge. My single piece was super, and appropriately, sweet, thick, gooey and chocolatey - I enjoyed every bite. As you can see from my inside pics, they have tons of items from Iowa and about Iowa. We enjoyed looking at all the items from canned food to knickknacks.

Kin in the East Village is the kind of shop you walk into and immediately slow down because there's…read moreso much to take in. The whole space feels warm and intentional soft lighting, crystals lining the staircase, art, jewelry, and the cutest little displays tucked into every corner. It's cozy without feeling cluttered, and everything feels really thoughtfully curated. I loved how it has a mix of things Including unique gifts, cards, home pieces, and little spiritual/wellness touches that make it feel a bit magical. You can tell it's one of those shops where every item was chosen with purpose, not just to fill shelves. It's also just a really calming space to be in. I found myself wandering slowly, picking things up, and actually enjoying browsing instead of rushing through. If you're walking around the East Village, this is 100% a place you have to pop into even just for the vibe. Definitely one of those spots you'll keep thinking about after you leave

Honestly one of the best crystal shops I've been to, and we travel around the country specifically…read morefor crystals/rocks. It might not be the biggest store but the selection is superior and is very thoughtfully placed. Absolutely worth the visit!

RAYGUN is at the corner of sunshine and rainbows and I'm here for that! So many cool shirts and…read moregifts. I loved the cat shirts especially! Wish I could have spent all day there. Loved the rainbows on the street headed in. Also when I hear raygun I think of the Olympics breakdancing.

I'm from Iowa City so I love Raygun. The most fabulous thing about the DSM store is the free Plan B…read moreat the front desk. Yes yes yes!

This is one of my favorite store in Iowa - they have all kinds of great gifts and novelties ! The…read moreowner is so nice - this is a family business and they are so kind ! Be sure to visit the dog before you leave

What an awesome gift shop! It's located on a charming street full of shops. The store was filled…read morewith books, puzzles, games, funny stuff, stickers, great gift items. The employees were friendly and helpful. There is also a shop dog, Penny!! Adorable!! Highly recommend checking this place out!

Give is the place to go for that "special" gift and especially for men shoppers who have trouble…read morecoming up with just the right one. Suzanne and her staff are experts in customer service and have a terrific selection to chose from. Everything is gift wrapped , all you have to do is take it home and bask in the glory!

Omg, this place is great! It starts with the owner and all her staff. They are so kind and very…read morehelpful! I love going in to Give and check out the new offers as well as I will check out the website too. They have customer service down. I love to find host gifts, housewarming gifts and new home gifts at Give. They also wrap the purchase as a value added service... Such a cute place and the service is second to none... definitely a place to add to your list!

Cottage by the Creek is now available Valley West Mall at the 35th street I-235 exit at the…read moresouthwest entrance. This is still a fabulous shop even though it is no longer in a cottage by the creek... my go-to place to buy home accents, wedding gifts, holiday ornaments, and gifts for girls and women. The owner is filled with creative ideas.

In a charming neighborhood, you will find Cottage by the Creek, in Des Moines, Iowa…read more It is a quaint cottage surrounded by a flower-filled yard and trees. When you open the door, you meet a perfectly delightful and friendly shop owner. There is a wonderful variety of merchandise that would please a diverse array of shoppers....jewelry, clothing, kitchen items, large assortment of beautiful French tablecloths, home decor and much more. I bought two great necklaces made from Tagua seeds from Ecuador. I just love them and have received many compliments when I wear them. They are so attractive and unique. I also purchased a gorgeous rectangular French tablecloth in blues and yellows and some cute kitchen towels. In my shopping I also acquired a stylish top with a lacy edge and a fishnet type top to go with it. The shopkeeper also has many artistic wind chimes for your patio. Mine has a metallic dragonfly and colorful beads. If you can't make it to her shop, she also has a stall at the awesome Des Moines Farmers Market every Saturday for 6 months of the year. That's another thing that you should definitely experience! What a great little shop, full of such interesting things! Wish it was in my city!

This little shop in the Merle Hay Mall has an interesting selection of glass and Asian themed…read morecollectibles and decor. I enjoy browsing their items when I have a few minutes to spare. They also have a variety of swords and blades.

Such a cute store! It has EVERYTHING. We're from Cedar Rapids and stopped here because we saw this…read moreshop on Yelp. It's a big space with LOTS of things to look at: seasonal, furniture, wall decor, candles, towels, clothing, jewelry, trinkets, baby items, art...this store has SO many gift options. I bought some things for myself and some for others. I will definitely be back again soon! So happy to see so many local vendors supported in this shop.

A true Ankeny classic with excellent gift selection and the most fun, welcoming staff around.read more