Tucson is a gift.
Don't believe us? Just take a take a look at one of our sunsets.
Unfortunately you can't wrap it up and send it to your out-of-town relatives.
That's why we put together a list of gift ideas that let you share a bit of Tucson with your family, homesick friends and those who still need convincing that Tucson is as lovely as you say it is (we're looking at you, neighbors to the north).
This year, give the gift of Tucson.
Here are just a few suggestions to get you thinking. Note that these are the prices we found on recent visits but they could change.
Give kindness
You probably know where this is going. Ben's Bells. The local nonprofit also has a cute shop downtown (40 W. Broadway) where you can purchase everything from T-shirts to cookies stamped with that iconic "Be Kind" flower. Your purchases at Shop KIND also support the Ben's Bells' mission to spread kindness.
The coffee in this 12-ounce bag comes from the local coffee shop and roaster Yellow Brick Coffee ($15). The ceramic mug costs $30.
No matter the year, take a moment to reflect on the bright moments 2016 brought with this ornament ($15).
Give exploration
You don't need to leave town to explore. Just peruse the bookshelves at the Western National Parks Association store. It's way up in Oro Valley (12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive) but probably worth the trek. Purchases support the national parks, and it's a store stuffed with all things Southwest — American Indian arts and crafts, desert lore and local goodies. The book collection ranges from pictures books about the desert, trail guides and novels by local authors. We camped in the cookbook and hiking guide sections.
Books shown range in price from $9.99 to $19.95.
Books featured range in price from $5 to $25.
Give Sunny Saguaro
This plushy junior park ranger is in a category of his own. You can find him at the Western National Parks Association store.
This stuffed cactus named Sunny Saguaro ($14.99) makes the trip up to Oro Valley totally worth it.
Give simply
Gift-giving doesn't have to be complicated. Write a note, bake a cookie or schedule a phone date. We loved Tohono Chul Park's gift shop, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, for its selection of desert-inspired stationary and cards. Be thoughtful — and in the process share a little Tucson love.
This 2017 vintage Tucson calendar will cost you $20 at Tohono Chul Park's gift shop. If the calendar is out of stock when you shop, you can ask them to order more.
Don't just send cookies. Send cactus cookies. Find these cookie cutters at the Western National Parks Association store for $4.99 each.
Find these magnets at the Western National Parks Association store for $4.99 each.
Buy a set of five Tucson holiday cards for $10 in Tohono Chul Park's gift shop. Note that each box contains five cards with the same image.
Give goodies
Because who doesn't love a gift basket full of treats? You can find many of these (and other) indulgences in shops around town. The goodies featured below are at A Perfect Pantry, 41 S. Sixth Ave.; the Western National Parks Association store; the Native Seeds/SEARCH store, 3061 N. Campbell Ave., and the Flying Leap Vineyards tasting room at St. Philip's Plaza, 4330 N. Campbell Ave. Suite 130.
We found these candies at A Perfect Pantry. The licorice and two chocolate bars cost $6.95 each.
At the Western National Parks Association store, the prickly pear syrup by Cheri's Desert Harvest is $6.99. You can also find a wider variety of Tucson-produced syrups, jams, jellies and candies in flavors like jalapeño and agave at cherisdesertharvest.com.
Chocolate and spice and everything nice in these mixes for $10 each.
You don't have to go all the way to Elgin to taste Arizona's wine country. These Flying Leap Vineyards wines (and others) are available at the St. Philip's Plaza tasting room. From left to right, the Trio-2015 ($27.49) is a white wine, the La Flor 2015 ($24.79) a rosé and the Union de Tres Rojos 2014 ($37.39) a red.
Give comfort
Make your friends, near or far, feel at home in the desert with soothing scents and toasty toes. If you plan to order online from Sweet P's Luxury Organic Skincare for Christmas gifts, place your order before Monday, Dec. 19 with priority shipping.
These socks ($9.50) from Native Seeds / SEARCH tell the story of important Mesoamerican crops — corn, beans and squash. Socks are for adult shoe sizes 9 to 12.
Pamper away (from left to right) with the six-ounce Creosote Hydrosol Healing Organic Soap ($15), two ounces of Creosote Healing Massage Balm ($10), four ounces of Creosote Healing Lotion ($16) and eight ounces of Creosote Infused Jojoba Oil ($42) from Sweet P's Luxury Organic Skin Care.
Give the desert itself
Really, this one is obvious. Tohono Chul Park has a huge variety of desert plants to adopt or seeds to sow. Native Seeds/SEARCH also has seeds galore with mixes like "Desert Bloom" and "Bird and Butterfly." Also, DIY cactus is a thing.
Twelve dollars at Native Seeds/SEARCH gets you a seed mix with 33 species of plants native to the Tucson area We're talking wildflowers, trees, grass, the works.
Baby cactus on a magnet for $5 at Tohono Chul Park's greenhouse. Come on.
Why buy a nicely potted cactus garden when you can make it yourself? Find it in Tohono Chul Park's greenhouse for $14.
What would you add to this list?
