Watch USA TODAY reporter Jayne O’Donnell give tips on shopping at local merchants.

Domestica n For the proud city dweller with modern taste, a limited-edition Des Moines city map print is the perfect find. It’s made from an origi-nal ink-on-watercolor hand-drawn piece and costs $35 at Domes-tica, 321 E. Walnut St. Owner Chrissy Jensen brings well-designed handmade jewelry and cheerful home acces-sories with a mid-cen-tury influence to her East Village location, a renovated railroad hotel with marble and terrazzo floors. One-of-a-kind hand-screened posters and prints are also available for less than $40.

Local merchants offer unique holiday giftsFor capital city shoppers, down-

town has emerged as the place to snag unique gifts, with the kind of

warm customer service most cities only dream of. Here’s some shopping advice for this holiday season, featuring items from small, independent merchants.

Raygun n You’ll probably know instantly who on your list would love a screen-printed “Des Moines Hell Yes” T-shirt ($19). Since 2005, Raygun, 400 E. Locust St., the “greatest store in the universe,” has been splashing unlikely bra-vado upon the chests of Iowa residents known more for self-deprecating humor. “We’re a clothing store first and foremost, specializing in our own designs,” owner Mike Draper says. “And we’re slowly trying to take over the world.” Steeling for the caucuses with a passel of new political designs, Raygun will continue its promise to supply nothing artsy, no hipster woodland scenes — just smart, irreverent tees for this most niche of markets.

Jasper Winery n This gift bucket ($35) from Jasper Winery’s tasting room, 2400 George Flagg Parkway, is filled with greatest hits Behind the Shed Red and Pastime Pale Ale. Co-owner Jean Groben will probably be there to custom-as-semble yours, guiding you through a tasting of her “hobby that went astray.” She and her husband, Paul, opened this handsome space with an indoor/outdoor fireplace and gift shop three years ago to bring the fruits of their rural operation directly to the urban palette.

The Book Store n Local author Wini Moran-ville’s new book, “The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day,” is a popular pick for home cooks with a passion for quality ingredients and clever culinary tips. Pick it up for $24.95 at The Book Store, 606 Locust St. This independent shop has been open in downtown Des Moines since 1961, stocking a unique selection you won’t usually find at a chain. Used, remaindered and out-of-print titles intermingle with bestsellers.

BY JENNIFER WILSON PHOTOS BY ERICH ERNST

desmoinesregister.com/shopmainst

Facebook.com/ShopDesMoines

@Shop_DesMoines

For more about local holiday shopping and small businesses, including unique gifts and deals, check out our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Video presented by American Express

Get the free mobile app at http://gettag.mobi

LOCAL SHOPPING GUIDE

Custom content presented by American Express

LOCAL SHOPPING GUIDE

Porch Light Antiques n Fill a recycled wood frame ($15-$150) from Porch Light Antiques, 526 E. Grand Ave., with a holiday memory of your own. Kate Best Shaw roams the state with only her truck and impeccable taste in search of “old” treasures to add to her shop’s mix of vintage and new — home accessories, jewelry and art. Every piece seems to re-imagine new potential for antique things, and inspire a similar eclectic take on how we line our nest at home.