2019 Made in Iowa Gift Guide

β€˜Tis the season to start buying for everyone on your list! Are you looking for a unique housewarming gift or for something Grandma doesn’t already have? Either way, I have you covered. I love to support my home state of Iowa and I am so happy to team up again this season to bring you my favorite Made in Iowa holiday gifts! Even if you are not located in Iowa, you can still shop from my list below!

This year’s Made in Iowa Gift Guide has fun gifts from local artists and shops from across the state. Surely you will be inspired to share the best of Iowa’s homegrown gifts with your loved ones this year.

Who is on your list to shop for?

Housewarming gift: Snuggle up with cozy blankets, candles and see my top pick below that is surely to make a lasting impression.

The Grandparents: Grab a personalized gift for the person who has it all.

The Foodie: Delicious stocking stuffers from more than 20 local Iowa businesses and farmers.

The Men: Beard oil and small-batch tonic mixers are perfect!

The New baby: Grab a matching hat for you and the newest member of your family!

Those are just a few examples of the many items available! Take a look at the website HERE for the complete gift guide, travel ideas within the state of Iowa, and a complete calendar of events!

I have highlighted my top picks below! Happy shopping!

19,p_Behappe designs_Des Moines.jpg

1.) This is the perfect gift for anyone! Secret Santa? A crazed sports fan who needs a hat with their team colors? Or do you want to match your mini? These custom made hats make the best gift and the quality is unlike any other. Contact her HERE to start your design!

19,p_Carvers Ridge_recipe cutting board_Corning.jpg

2.) I am ordering this ASAP. This is the ultimate reminder of that beloved family recipe or one passed on from a late family member. A cherished reminder of memories each time it is used. This makes a great gift for anyone, including a bride anytime of the year! Find more designs HERE.

19,p_RosellaMargaret wooden signs_Ankeny.jpg

3.) From wooden Iowa ornaments to wooden signs, these make my top 5! Attach a wooden Iowa tag to a bottle of wine for the perfect housewarming gift. Use chalk to write names on them for place settings at your Holiday table for seat markers. See everything HERE.

19,p_Carvers Ridge_baking dish_Corning.jpg

4.) Personalized Tupperware for the foodies, the bakers, or Grandma when she forgets who she brought food to last. ☺️ All products available are HERE.

19,p_Maker's Loft_Side Garage Iowa Nice shirt_Iowa City.jpg

5.) Iowa nice. Because we are. This tank top (also comes in short sleeves) is perfect for the college student who obviously attends University of Iowa. ☺️ Perfect tailgate shirt too! Check out all of their products HERE.

I only highlighted my top 5 picks but there are soooo many more to mention. You can take a look at all of them HERE . Want a hint of what is left?? Iowa shaped soaps, jams, hot sauce, and beard oils. Seriously take a peek.

Happy Holidays friends and β€˜tis the season to spread love and kindness wherever you go. Be the light.

Make sure to follow Travel Iowa on all of their social channels to stay informed with upcoming activities and events.

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

**This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and words are my own.

Made in Iowa- Shop Local Gift Guide

If you are looking to support small businesses, look no further! I love giving and receiving unique gifts and what better thing to do is to gift something made for your state of Iowa! They usually come with a little story or history to them and people appreciate something that has meaning behind it. I think the white elephant and office gifts are the hardest things to find unique gifts for and I hope with this list below, you can cross off just about everyone from your list this season! Remember to shop small and support local businesses!

Below I have highlighted just a few of the gifts available on the Travel Iowa website! Even if you are not in the market for a gift at this time, definitely check out the website as it highlights Things to Do, Places to Stay, Trip Ideas, Travel Regions and of course Gift Ideas. Click HERE to take a look!

ForAnyone_templetonryeshelf.jpg

I love these shelves for your basement bar or man cave! They are made from the barrel ends of used Templeton Rye Whiskey barrels. They are 21" diameter and 1" thick and theshelf is 8" deep. Made in Bondurant. $125. Purchase HERE

dirt road candle co.jpg

Hello perfect housewarming gift, hostess gift or gift for that Grandma who has everything! These are made by Dirt Road Candle Co. in Atlantic, Iowa! $24 for a Holiday sampler of 3 candles. Select your gift HERE

The image below is another great hostess gift! For only $5.95, add a few of these to your cart to accompany a bottle of wine as a gift set. Zaza’s Artisan Pasta is made in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Shop HERE

zazas-small.jpg
seven oaks-small.jpg

The older I get the more I love receiving experiences as a gift. Seven Oaks is a great place to ski, snow tube and snowboard in the winter, and to kayak/canoe, river tube and paintball in the summer, all in central Iowa! It is located in Boone – a quick drive from the surrounding cities. Choose your gift certificate amount HERE

kids_raygun_iowadorable-small.jpg

Everyone needs a shirt from Raygun, so start em young! This Iowa-adorable shirt is for the littles in your life. Raygun is located Downtown Des Moines and they are known for their T-shirts with style….and sayings! Purchase yours HERE for only $20.

Jaarsmasm-small.jpg

Are you really from Iowa if you have not had a Dutch Letter from Jaarsma Bakery? Looking for that perfect gift to take to the office for the staff or bring into your ladies or mens groups? Grab 12 dutch letters for $27 so everyone can experience a little bit of Pella, Iowa. They ship well. Click HERE to browse their website for other tasty treats too.

home_candleholders.JPG

I love these printed candle holders $12 each, made by Kara Lynn Schlabaugh out of Iowa City, Iowa. I also think they would be really cute to keep salt and pepper in on the table as decor! Browse all of the styles HERE.

isabel-bloom-gift.png

One of a kind sculptures from Davenport, Iowa are made by Isabel Bloom. Choose from designs that are whimsical, children, animals, inspiring angels, and outdoor statues. Each sculpture comes with a card perfect for the occasion. Looking for something to get a teacher, a mentor, a retiree, or need a gift in a time of sympathy, Isabel Bloom is timeless and sure to make a lasting memory. You can search for the perfect occasion gift HERE.

I have only highlighted a fraction of the gifts available through their website! Start your own search by clicking HERE for a full tour of the website, Travel Iowa.

Amana Woolen Mill Throw-$85

Amana Woolen Mill Throw-$85

Bannor Toys Iowa Rattle- $19.99

Bannor Toys Iowa Rattle- $19.99

Iowa Outdoors Magazine Subscription- $15

Iowa Outdoors Magazine Subscription- $15

Great River Maple Syrup- $20

Great River Maple Syrup- $20

Holiday Shopping with Josephs Jewelers

Josephs. Everyone wants a gift that comes in that iconic gold box. Josephs is a family owned fine jewelry store that has been in business since 1871, with 2 locations, one being in West Des Moines and the other in downtown Des Moines. If you are looking for something stunning, they have you covered, with one-of-a-kind gemstones, and also as an official Rolex retailer. Josephs prides themselves on excellent customer service and employee expertise, you should be able to cross off everyone on your list from this one stop! If you are not local, don't worry, they will gladly ship it to you! 

I completely understand the intimidation factor that comes with going into a fine jewelry store. That is why I have partnered with them, to help you easily navigate the store and products for this gift giving season! I mean, who knew they sold ornaments? You can check out their main website HERE but also for your convenience, I have added direct links to each of the products below that I have selected as my favorite pieces.

IMG_4752.JPG

Ornaments! And a lot of them to choose from with prices ranging from $20 up to $75. These are perfect for Grandma, a housewarming or hostess gift, secret Santa, or start a tradition and buy one for yourself! 

IMG_4817.JPG

Slate and Tell Necklace. This one comes as is, but there are several charms that you can put together to create your own story. (Pictured below)

IMG_4818.JPG

Birthstone Trio Ring. You can add your children's names and birthstones to this ring and make it your own! Perfect for Grandma too. (Pictured below)

IMG_4782.JPG

I love anything that you can personalize! These charms are so adorable and make the perfect personal gift. I mean this necklace is only $59!!

IMG_4758.JPG

Men's Stainless Steel Black Enamel Cuff Links 

I consider these the perfect gift for any man, including a best man or groomsman gift! With several options to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect pair under $75.

IMG_4761.JPG

Stainless Steel Black Enamel Money Clip

This is a M-clip money holder. You slide the black piece up and it forms a clip that makes it easy for you to slip over your cash. All you have to do is slide the black piece down to secure it.

IMG_4740.jpg

Sterling Silver CZ X-Cuff I immediately fell in love with this set! I came into the store looking for affordable pieces so I put it back down. A salesperson informed me that it was actually Cubic Zirconia and I was shocked. It is so stunning. 

Sterling Silver CZ Crossover Ring If you have the bracelet, you definitely need the ring to match!

IMG_4779.JPG
IMG_4780.JPG

IDI 14k Two-Tone Disc Necklace When my daughter was born my husband gifted me my first IDI necklace. I get asked about it all of the time because it is so unique and delicate. A piece that you can wear everyday for the non-jewelry people. My necklace is similar to the shorter layer as the 3 side pieces stand for my 3 "children".

IDI 14k Two-Tone Moon and Star Diamond Necklace This one is next on my list of wants! Because how many times a day do I tell my daughter I love you to the moon and back? So so many. 

IMG_4776.JPG

Bracelets from top to bottom: TOP bracelet, MIDDLE bracelet, and BOTTOM bracelet. I chose to photograph all of these bracelets because I could not choose a favorite. Pearls are so classic and really any age is wearing them these days and I love that. You need a set of something pearls for those black tie events, even if it is once a year!

14k Yellow Gold White Cultured Pearl Y Necklace

14k Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl Earrings

IMG_4785.JPG

14k Yellow Gold Uvarovite  I really have no words for this piece. It is a showstopper.

IMG_4784.jpg

View TAG HEUER Collection Tag Heuer Carrera watches. A best-selling watch brand with new styles and face colors available in store and online. Watches literally give the gift of time and I love the idea of his and her watches, but also love these for any recent graduates.

I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any questions about any products listed, you can leave a comment here or contact the store directly HERE.

Want to make it even easier for the men in your life? Fill out a Josephs wish list ensuring you get exactly what you want!

goldboxnotecards1.jpg

**This is a sponsored post, I have hand selected each item according to my taste to photograph and write about. All opinions are genuine and my own.