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Unwrap Adventure this Holiday Season
When you choose a gift from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, you’re also giving a second gift — hope for desert wildlife.
Find Your Perfect Gift
This holiday season, give gifts that spark curiosity and create unforgettable memories. From up-close animal encounters to dazzling zoo experiences, our curated collection is sure to delight adventurers, animal lovers, and everyone in between.
All your purchases at The Living Desert help support our mission and more than 100 conservation initiatives in 12 countries to protect desert animals and ecosystems around the world.
Still need more gift options? Support one of our local business partners, where Zoo members enjoy exclusive discounts at over 50 Coachella Valley favorites! Click here to learn more.
Give the Gift of an Experience
Membership
A membership to The Living Desert offers your loved ones a year of wild adventure, unforgettable memories, and exclusive perks including: unlimited daytime admission for 12 months, exclusive access to member-only events and programs, FREE guest passes, and more!
Plus, when you join now, you’ll be able to enjoy all the exclusive benefits and events during January’s Member Month!
Rhino Encounter
A rhino might not fit under the tree, but you can gift the unforgettable experience of meeting one face-to-face with a rhino encounter! During the encounter, guests are invited step into an exclusive animal care area to meet one of the magnificent rhinos in our care, Nia or Jaali, and learn about their biology, care, and personalities while engaging in memorable activities like feeding or brushing.
Private Safari Tour
Experience The Living Desert like never before with a guided Private Safari. This luxury tour includes park admission, giraffe feeding, a personal guide, and a private shuttle for a luxurious journey. During your two hour tour, you’ll explore iconic habitats as your guide shares fascinating animal insights, conservation stories, and park history.
Give the gift on an unforgettable, immersive adventure!
Wild At Heart: Adult ZooCamp
Who says camp is just for kids? Wild at Heart: ZooCamp for Adults is a day of animal encounters, desert exploration, and hands-on fun. Perfect for anyone passionate about wildlife, this immersive experience makes a memorable, one-of-a-kind gift.
Spots are limited for this monthly series — reserve a wild experience today!
WildLights
Share the wonder of WildLights at The Living Desert with friends and family! Explore the Zoo after dark, surrounded by millions of twinkling lights and festive cheer.
✨ Tickets start at just $18 for kids and $22 for adults.
🎄 Runs on select nights through December 30 — the perfect holiday outing for everyone on your list!
Zoo Tickets
Surprise your loved ones with a day of adventure at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens! They’ll experience hands-on encounters, discover desert ecosystems, and enjoy a day of fun and learning.
Perfect for kids, adults, or families, it’s a gift that creates memories, sparks curiosity, and brings a little wild magic to the holidays.
Stocking Stuffers
Stop by our Appel Gift Shop for a selection of wildly fun and unique keepsakes and gifts!
Select items are available online.
Magnets
Patches
Socks
Pins
Gifts for Kids
Winter Mini Camp
Plan a wild winter break for your young explorer! Our one-day ZooCamp invites kids to meet amazing animals, get creative with hands-on crafts, and dive into exciting STEAM activities.
Join us on December 22 or December 29 for a day filled with discovery, adventure, and endless fun — perfect for curious minds and nature-loving hearts.
Zoo To Go Kit
Bring the Zoo home! Designed by The Living Desert’s education team, this hands-on kit gives at-home conservationists fun, simple ways to help keep birds safe. With engaging activities and step-by-step instructions, learning about wildlife becomes an unforgettable adventure.
It’s the perfect pick for sparking curiosity and inspiring future eco-champions.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Follow your Dream Dolls
Open a world of possibility with these bold, inspiring dolls created for tomorrow’s conservation heroes. Each doll empowers kids to dream big, explore boldly, and imagine themselves making a difference — complete with accessories that fuel creative play.
An uplifting gift for any young animal lover or budding conservationist.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Wildlife Books
Inspire the young explorers in your life with books that spark curiosity and creativity. Many titles include interactive sticker pages that make learning playful and immersive.
A wonderful gift for kids who love to discover, create, and carry a piece of their Zoo adventure home.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Wildlife Rescue Team
Give the adventurous child in your life a toy that fuels their love for action, exploration, and conservation. This dynamic set lets imaginations run wild as kids learn how to care for and protect animals. With interactive figures and tools, it encourages hands-on play while introducing essential lessons in wildlife preservation.
Perfect for inspiring future animal heroes and sparking creativity along the way.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Hello Kitty — in Disguise!
Whether you’re surprising a Hello Kitty–loving friend or adding to your own collection, these plush characters are soft, adorable, and ready for cuddles or display. Each one brings a playful, collectible twist to a beloved icon.
A whimsical way to blend a love of animals with a timeless character.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Gifts To Go Green!
Symbolic Adoption
A symbolic adoption of an animal or train is perfect for animal lovers of all ages! Your gift comes with special perks — like a personalized certificate, animal fact sheet, or plush — and, even better, it helps protect desert wildlife around the world.
Order by December 16 to have your adoption delivered by December 25, or swing by the Zoo to pick it up by December 23.
International Desert Conservation Summit
Looking for a holiday gift that’s truly unforgettable? Treat someone special to tickets to IDCS on January 16–18, 2026!
They’ll hear world-renowned adventurer, Paul Rosolie share heart-pounding stories from the world’s most threatened ecosystems, meet the world’s top conservationists, and get an insider look at how The Living Desert and conservationists from around the world are protecting deserts.
It’s a gift that inspires, educates, and connects —perfect for the adventurer or nature-lover on your list!
Ridwell Starter Kit
You know all that stuff that you wish you could recycle — light bulbs, granola bar wrappers, corks, plastic bottle caps, bread tags, latex paint, Styrofoam? Now you can!
With this easy, mail-in kit, Ridwell will ensure everything is responsibly recycled or reused — and kept out of landfills.
Small Village Made Ornaments
Celebrate small communities around the world a with beautifully crafted animal ornament. Created by artisans in villages across India, each piece is handmade from natural materials and inspired by the wildlife you love. Add one to your family’s tree and support talented entrepreneurs while bringing a bit of the Zoo home for the holidays.
A meaningful keepsake — and a thoughtful way to share global artistry and wildlife wonder in one heartfelt gift.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Non GMO Seed to Sew Apparel
Show your love for wildlife in a shirt that’s as sustainable as it is stylish. Made from responsibly grown, non-GMO cotton, each shirt can be traced from seed to stitch—crafted with natural materials that support a healthier planet. Soft, durable, and eco-conscious, it’s the perfect everyday staple for any wildlife enthusiast.
This is a great gift for anyone who loves style with a sustainable twist.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Tortoise Hiking Club
Join the movement to protect our native desert tortoises with this exclusive Hiking Crew tee. For speedsters or fellow slow-pokes, this is the perfect gift for the eco-champion in your life.
Every shirt sparks conversations that inspire others to care for and protect local wildlife.
For the Plant Lover
Wildflower Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Bring the vibrant colors of the desert to life with this captivating long sleeve shirt. The vivid floral design, inspired by the lush landscapes of the Living Desert, adds a touch of natural elegance to any outfit. Crafted from a breathable cotton blend, this versatile piece keeps you comfortable while showcasing your love of the great outdoors.
Plants Propagated at the Zoo
A selection Zoo-grown plants are available daily at the Zoo’s Appel Gift Shop! These plants are carefully propagated at The Living Desert and will give your loved ones a piece of the wild to enjoy at home.
From vibrant succulents to hardy desert natives, each plant is a living reminder of the beauty and resilience of desert ecosystems — and makes a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift for plant lovers!
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Keep Nature Wild Fleece Sweatshirt
Wrap yourself in the spirit of the great outdoors with this stylish fleece pullover. Crafted from high-quality, eco-friendly materials, it’s the perfect way to show your love for nature while staying warm and comfortable. Whether you’re exploring a local trail or relaxing at home, this sweatshirt will become your go-to for casual, nature-inspired style.
Botanist Sticker Book
Make creativity bloom with this interactive sticker book, perfect for plant lovers and budding artists alike. Filled with hundreds of beautifully illustrated stickers and carefully curated botanical facts, it’s a fun way to explore the natural world while designing decorative spreads.
Ideal for journals, scrapbooks, or simply adding a touch of nature’s beauty to everyday life.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Kitchen Accessories
Plant yourself in the kitchen this new year with fun themed kitchen items. Use a cactus-shaped sponge for all of life’s “sticky” situations or try a succulent Swedish dishcloth to soak up any spills. Get these for the friend who loves both their garden and their kitchen.
These charming (and practical!) items are perfect for friends who love both their garden and their kitchen.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
Hanging Succulent
Gift a hanging plant in a glass ornament for a modern, charming holiday surprise. Its delicate, suspended design adds a touch of greenery to any space, bringing a moment of calm to the busy season. Low-maintenance plants like air plants or small succulents make it easy for anyone to enjoy.
A thoughtful, eye-catching gift that adds life and sparkle to holiday décor.
Available at the Appel Gift Shop
White Elephant Gifts
Unleash some wild fun at your next White Elephant —
Explore our Appel Gift Shop for a selection of gifts that are guaranteed to make everyone roar with laughter!
Select items are available online.
Capybara Slippers
How 'Bout Flamingo Slippers?
This AnimAZING Hat
Gifts From Local Artisans
A Snappy-Bara Shot Glass
A Super Small "Stanley"
Local Treasures & Holiday Pleasures
Looking for gifts that go beyond the ordinary? Treat your loved ones (or yourself!) to unforgettable experiences, stylish stays, and delicious dining from some of our favorite local partners. Members at The Living Desert have access to exclusive discounts and benefits at 50+ organizations across the Coachella Valley.
Click here for the full list of participating locations.
Contour Dermatology
Treat someone special (or yourself) to radiant, refreshed skin at Contour Dermatology. It’s a little luxury that lasts well past the holidays!
Member Perk: Receive 15% off Esthetician Services and Laser Treatments through May 30, 2026.
Desert Wine Shop on 111
A boutique bottle shop known for its carefully curated selection, Desert Wine Shop offers everything from local favorites to rare global finds. It’s the ideal stop for host gifts, holiday pairings, or a celebratory bottle to enjoy fireside.
Member Perk: Receive 10% off in-store purchases and a discounted wine tasting.
Willie’s – Rancho Mirage
A modern bistro with a warm, supper-club feel, Willie’s is known for elevated comfort food, live music nights, and a dining room that always feels like a celebration. A gift card or dinner reservation here is perfect for food lovers and festive nights out.
Member Perk: Receive 10% off all regular food items. (Not redeemable on 3-course menus or alcohol.)
Palm Springs Surf Club
Give the gift of adventure! The Palm Springs Surf Club transforms the desert landscape into a year-round aquatic playground, complete with a wave pool for surfing, water slides, great dining, and resort-style relaxation zones. It’s fun for families, thrill-seekers, and anyone craving something unexpected.
Member Perk: Receive a free appetizer or dessert when you present your Living Desert membership card.
Boozehounds – Palm Springs
Equal parts stylish and dog-friendly, Boozehounds is a Palm Springs favorite for brunch, cocktails, and patio dining with your pup. With indoor/outdoor seating and a menu as vibrant as the décor, it’s a trendy pick for holiday outings or gift cards that are sure to spark joy.
Member Perk: Receive 10% off your total, plus a free “weenie teenie” treat for your dog.
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
A uniquely Palm Springs experience, Windmill Tours takes guests behind the iconic turbines that line the desert horizon. Their self-guided tour blends history, sustainability, and stunning views. This tour is the perfect gift for adventurers and curious minds. Come enjoy the magic of the Coachella Valley landscape.
Member Perk: Receive 20% off one of their self-driving tours.