You can shop local for a baby shower gift registry too! With the help of new mama and DSMG contributor Emma Ferry, we’ve rounded up five ideas for a local baby shower gift that the new mama in your life will always remember, especially if that’s you! From custom books for every family, to post-partum recovery kits, to newborn photo sessions. Here’s your guide to shopping locally for a baby shower gift in Des Moines.
A Book For Every Baby
With the option to feature same-sex parents, interracial couples, grandparents, stepparents, nonbinary characters, foster siblings, cousins and more, Popinjay Press books can be customized to represent virtually every family dynamic in existence. And the colorful, imaginative, funny stories can help every child take pride in their wonderfully unique family.
Popinjay Press was founded by April Pearson-Decklever, a proud mom and stepmom who wanted to see her modern family represented in the children’s books she read to her kids. When she couldn’t find any, she decided to create her own! (We LOVE that attitude.)
But she didn’t stop there. She brought on amazing, wonderful, talented collaborators, and together they formed Popinjay Press. Sharing a creative vision, love of children and passion for social justice, these authors and illustrators are as proud as popinjays to offer you a growing library that celebrates diversity and inclusivity.
More than a custom book company. More than a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) book company.
Offering the best of both worlds, custom Popinjay Press books embrace DEI without making it the focus. Loving family members are present in the story, but they’re not central to the plot. This small distinction can have a big impact on small children, helping them feel validated, connected and a little more confident in their place in the world.
You’re invited to customize Popinjay Press books to represent your own family, and/or choose books with different family dynamics to add diversity and inclusion to your child’s book collection. Create your own custom book for $15 at PopinjayPress.com.
Sacred Health Postpartum Recovery Package + Wellness Items
Emma’s experience as a new mama was enhanced through the products and services of Sacred Health. They offer a multitude of post-partum products that make unique baby shower gift ideas. For example, Sacred Health’s Postpartum Recovery Kit includes:
- Rael Organic Disposable Briefs (8/10)
- Upside Down Peri Bottle
- Single Use Perineal Ice Pack (4)
- Careha + Co Perineal Spray
- Careha + Co Herbal Sitz Bath
- Box Naturals Witch Hazel Pads
- Sacred Health “Extras”
This is a great way to incorporate some healthier products into a new mama’s recovery. These have been handpicked to optimize healing naturally without sacrificing efficacy while being holistic and chemically sensitive. This a bit out of budget? They have a mini version as well for $50 and whole lot else! Shop the entire Sacred Health Shop here.
Newborn Photo Session
The first few weeks (months, actually) post-partum can be blurry, and a newborn photography session can help capture your little one at the littlest stage to always remember. There are incredible photographers in the Des Moines area, including Kelsey Arganbright Photography, which specializes in these timeless, bright baby sessions. We’ve never met a parent who regretted getting these photos taken and they make a great gift or gift fund idea so that you don’t think twice about booking your session.
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Curated Gift Box from Happy DSM
We love this Beaverdale gift shop for all your custom and curated gift box needs and they now have perfect baby gifts! Called “Happy Baby Boxes”, there are 16 different variations for you to browse, including a “Sanity Survival” box and a “Welcome To The World” bundle from $40-80. Of course, it’ll be beautifully packaged. We love this idea and love that it’s curated locally even more! Store pickup and shipping available.
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Gift Cards to Local Coffee Shops
What do new parents need a lot of in the first few months? Caffeine, probably. Emma says, “Someone gave me coffee beans and gift cards from a local coffee shop. I thought this was a great idea and it was MUCH needed.” Check out our list of favorite coffee shops in Des Moines and pick up a gift card or bag of beans from any of them for a thoughtful baby shower gift. Check out our “Behind The Biz” feature on our North Side favorite The Slow Down Coffee Co.
BONUS: Janes DSM
We can’t not mention Janes in any baby-related guide so here’s a bonus. One of the extra perks of bringing a new life into the world is shopping for all the cutest baby accessories. If you’re looking for a classic gift of cute clothes and accessories, Janes is the best place to do so. Everything in the store is so beautiful. They also have great gender neutral options.
Want more?
We’re so grateful to Emma for sharing her story in motherhood so far. Are you in that new parent stage of life or are all your friends having kids? Would more “new parent” or parent-to-be content be helpful? Let us know what you’d like to see more of from Emma!
