It's beginning to look a lot like ... just kidding, it doesn't really look like Christmas in the desert. But what we lack in wintery wonderlands, we make up for in creative makers. Which is why, this season, I'm shopping small.

There are myriad artists, business owners, entrepreneurs and more making their living in the Coachella Valley, the high desert and beyond. Each offers a unique perspective – and gift – to our community. Many draw inspiration from the landscape; some from the people that make up this place we call home.

From Palm Springs to Joshua Tree, here are my recommendations for locally made gifts – sure to bring a smile to a loved one's face during the holidays.

In his Cathedral City studio, RYAN CAMPBELL creates "Line Segments" that fuse a hard-edged aesthetic with a contemporary approach, using spray paint and pin point precision to produce mesmerizing depths of field with criss-crossed lines. The painter and muralist currently has aerosol paintings on both paper and wood panels available for purchase, and can be contacted directly for commissions or larger works. (Photo courtesy Deja Kruetzberg)

CHARLES KIBBY worked for 35 years as a contractor and consultant in the field of historic preservation, primarily in masonry, but always managed to return to his studio pieces: sculptures. Now, he has a space in Palm Springs filled with stunning light works made of stone. (His current rock of choice is calcite.) Inquiries can be made at ckibby@cgipreservation.com. (Photo by Lance Gerber for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: For these artists, it's never too late to reinvent yourself

Based in Joshua Tree, LINDSAY HOLLINGER creates watercolor paintings that "seek to capture emotion, landscape and fleeting moments in colorful works on paper." You may have seen her designs in Michaels and Barnes & Noble! Desert-inspired works like Anza Moonscape and Boulders II can be purchased from her online shop, not to mention moody-blue Ocotillo Nocturne. (Photo courtesy Lindsay Hollinger)

Based in a white dome in Joshua Tree, artist ANGEL CHEN creates contemporary sculptures and abstract paintings. Her work is striking, guttural, an ode to “Forces of Nature.” Avalanches and tornados burst from her brush, while ceramic pieces are layered with texture, rolling waves and rippling water. You can purchase works on her Instagram @angelchenworld; the artist is also happy to make commissions. “My two kilns in Joshua Tree are ready to fire!” she says. (Photo courtesy Angel Chen)

SARA COMBS is surrounded by 30 different kinds of cactuses in her backyard, which only makes sense why she would create watercolor paintings of the plants. Part of the 100 Day Project, her works are now sold on her website, where she donates 10 percent of all profits to American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. You can also grab these desert-inspired prints at Poster Child Prints (on her Instagram, Combs notes that the code GIFTART20 gets you 20 percent off). (Photo courtesy Sara Combs)

READ MORE: Artist creates 100 days of cacti

APHRODEEDEE handmade soaps are working me into a lather. High desert resident DeeDee Tierney makes a line of nearly 20 scents (and growing), decorated to the nines with flowers and fruit. Her favorite is the woodsy and old-school “Violet Rosemary + Orange.” You can find several options at Moon Wind Trading Co. in Landers, as well as at Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley and The Cocky Cactus in Palm Springs. Place a custom order at naturalaphrodeedee@gmail.com or on Instagram @naturalaphrodeedee. (Photo by George Duchannes for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: Aphrodeedee soaps are an all-natural indulgence you need this season

Give yourself (or someone you love) a bit of Loving Care this holiday season with a SNAKEROOT APOTHECARY potion. Clinical herbalist Rachel Burgos, who lives and works in Joshua Tree, provides "preventative health care and education using plant, animal and earth and elemental medicines in a holistic way." The Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine graduate also offers herbal consultations in addition to her potions, which range from Loving Care (made with rose hips, rose petals, hawthorne berry, motherwort and more) to Stop Smoking (a formula that helps reduce withdrawal symptoms). (Photo by Zohn Mandel)

In need of TLC? Be pampered by estheticians NICOLE VAISMAN of META SKIN STUDIO or MEGAN HUTCH of THE POINTED PEARL. Based in Palm Springs, Vaisman has more than 15 years of experience in the beauty industry and offers long-term care for better skin through facials, peels and waxing, as well as more dedicated programs for acne and aging. In Joshua Tree, Hutch travels to homes and Airbnbs across the high desert to offer facials and massage services that "renew your skin" and "relax your mind." (Photo of Megan Hutch by George Duchannes for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: These skin care services are tailored to your needs.

High-desert based artist and tarot card creator Mary Elizabeth Evans is beloved for her Spirit Speak divination decks. Printed this fall, her ROAD TO NOWHERE ORACLE DECK includes 60 cards as well as a 60-page interpretation guidebook. Evans encourages you to "pull a card and let the image itself speak to you. Each one of us has a language of symbolism inside that we have developed from our experience on the earth."

How about the gift of DESERT MAGAZINE for a reader in your life? You can get the print edition delivered right to their door with an annual subscription (one year, 10 issues is $54.95). Just call 760-322-8889, option 6! Or, for a super last-minute option, pick up single copies at Just Fabulous and Dead or Alive bar in Palm Springs, and The End in Yucca Valley. And don't forget to sign them (and yourself) up for our weekly newsletter! You'll be the first to find out about our DESERT Adventure Club events, like our annual trail ride through Indian Canyons on Feb. 4!

A print publication under the creative direction of Rohini Walker and Martín Mancha, LUNA ARCANA is an "homage to the deserts of the south-west, and to the oft-hidden power and thriving life present in these arid terrains." All contributors are members of the local creative community and issues are freely distributed to spread their "messages and stories from the desert with ease and without prejudice." You can subscribe for $13 to have two issues a year delivered to your mailbox. (Photo courtesy Luna Arcana)

DESERT ORACLE is "a pocket-sized field guide to the fascinating American deserts: strange tales, singing sand dunes, sagebrush trails, artists and aliens, authors and oddballs, ghost towns and modern legends, musicians and mystics, scorpions and saguaros!" You can subscribe online or mail $25 to Desert Oracle, PO Box 1735, Joshua Tree; single copies are available at stockists all throughout the desert. (Photo courtesy Desert Oracle)

Tod Goldberg directs the Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing & Writing for the Performing Arts program at UCR Palm Desert, and he also writes novels. The New York Times best-selling author's recent release "GANGSTER NATION" is about a mob hit man masquerading as a rabbi. In it, he "traces how the things we most value in our lives―home, health, even our spiritual lives―have been built on the enterprises of criminals."

READ MORE: Desert author Tod Goldberg finds balance between murderous thoughts and goodness

Held in parallel to Desert X this past April, Desert Island was a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring 24 artists who "embrace the desert and its interconnections." Frequent DESERT magazine contributor, photographer Lance Gerber, was featured; as was Epicenter Projects founder Cristopher Cichocki. Now, the EXHIBITION CATALOG is available in hardcover, with 112 pages exploring "the extremities of the Western Desert as an ever-shifting environment of resilience and isolation." (Photo courtesy Cristopher Cichocki)

READ MORE: Artist Cristopher Cichocki fuses desert music and imagery

In Pioneertown, MazAmar Art Pottery churns out colorful earthenware, from platters to glazed bowls and handle-mugs branded with Joshua trees. “It’s mostly functional art pottery,” says artist Amara Alban, who owns and operates the shop with her husband, Thomas. “We’re inspired by the desert colors, but not in a contrived or conceptual way. The influence is more direct and subtle.” Grab the couple's signature JOSHUA TREE MUG, or my favorite: drunken shot glasses. (Photo by George Duchannes for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: Go behind the wheel with two Pioneertown potters who share a passion for throwing clay

Brian Bosworth of BKB CERAMICS is a master of texture, pairing rustic colors with sleek lines to create planters, bottles and more that embody the spirit of the desert. While his online shop is sold out, you can pick up pieces in person at his and wife Jamie’s storefront in Joshua Tree, or their recently opened shop, BKB Design, (featuring an array of other makers!) in Palm Springs. (Photo courtesy Brian Bosworth)

Handmade in Landers, DUST CERAMICS exudes an earthy aesthetic with contemporary flair, all handmade by Joanna Szachowska and her husband, Artur Tarkowski. He throws on the wheel; she creates hand-built pieces. "Our philosophy is slow life," she explains, "wabi sabi creations of our four hands." Shallow salad bowls with a glassy emerald glaze are complemented by accessories like the Lunar Witch Ceramic Green Turquoise Moon Bracelet.You can also find a selection of tumblers at Moon Wind Trading Co., pipes at Hoof & The Horn, and necklaces at BKB Ceramics. (Photo courtesy Joanna Szachowska)

Caitlin Deane creates URTHEN wares (sculptures and ceramic pottery) in Landers. The clay artist and earth architecture student has an artistic eye for intricate designs, rustic colors and allowing "clay’s transformative properties, fragility, and ephemerality to discuss impermanence and change." You can purchase Deane's work at MazAmar Art Pottery, Hoof & The Horn and Moon Wind Trading Co. locally. Or, in January, her online shop re-opens. (Photo courtesy Caitlin Deane)

Some know SOFIA ENRIQUEZ as a muralist but she took on an entirely different role this spring: designer. She hosted her first fashion show featuring her clothing line, Es Mucho, in Palm Desert this March. Her vintage pieces are like wearable versions of her murals and paintings, all of which are far from precious. They’re provocative. They’re powerful. The same paisley shapes and female faces (she’s inspired by and drawn to the human eye) are often found across all of her mediums. And they're perfect for making a bold statement. (Photo by Lance Gerber for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: This Palm Springs fashion designer doesn't care what you think

Excuse the language, but I love this shirt. I also love the company behind it, Peaks & Valleys, founded by Coachella Valley residents (and super cool kids) Glen Coy and Ashley Busenius Coy. With an array of products, all produced at Windmill City Screen Printing, the brand resonates with true desert rats. My favorites are the men's DIRT DON'T HURT T-SHIRT and the above DESERT SHIT T-SHIRT. (Photo courtesy Peaks & Valleys)

READ MORE: Experience the Grand Canyon through the lenses of two film photographers

DEBRA HOVEL creates “functional art for people who appreciate handmade things,” and has an impressive list of clients for whom she custom-designs colorful footwear. She creates her handmade shoes at an old Elks Lodge on 10 acres of the high desert near Palm Springs, that she and three other partners repurposed into a studio called Makerville. Her designs range from shibori cross sandals to leather chukkas, and are coveted one-of-a-kind styles. Contact her at debrahovel@gmail.com for a special pair. (Photo by Lance Gerber for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: For these artists, it's never too late to reinvent yourself

Maegan Carberry is currently making 100 dresses to foster healthier dialogue about sexual assault. Her project-turned-nonprofit is called BIRDBRAIN, and is now based in a showroom in Palm Springs. It is also where she completes commissions, and product samples of birdbrain-branded merchandise (like the pattern above) are on display. All proceeds go toward the completion of Carberry’s related project: a free, downloadable resource for rape victims and their supporters, called “The Long Term Guide to Surviving Sexual Assault.” (Photo courtesy of Maegan Carberry)

READ MORE: Birdbrain founder sewing 100 dresses to raise awareness about sexual assault

At the helm of Moon Wind Trading Co. in Landers, MIEKA MAY creates custom clothing out of re-used and re-purposed materials. "Everything is sourced from places that will be disposing of the material in either a landfill or donation center," May says. "We are here to minimize waste on this planet." Her pieces range from colorful, geometric leggings to bathing suits for the bohemian-inclined. Purchase her pieces at Moon Wind Trading Co. in Landers. (Photo courtesy Mieka May)

Known by many as the "hero" of the high desert, MOJAVE DESERT LAND TRUST is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the desert ecosystem through land stewardship. There are many ways to help, including purchasing the organization's T-shirts and tanks. Or, you can make a donation online, as well as offer a gift of land or an in-kind gift. New this month: A Desert Defenders campaign features the Cadiz Dunes; signs, stickers and patches are available in MDLT's online shop. (Photo courtesy Mojave Desert Land Trust)

READ MORE: New initiative aims to educate the desert’s visiting artists

For nearly 10 years, Sarah Scheideman has been at the helm of THE COACHELLA VALLEY ART SCENE, a nonprofit that serves as a resource for young, emerging artists. What started in 2008 as a blog cataloguing up-and-coming talent and local events now spans community art shows, private commissions and more. Scheideman's wish list currently includes a brick and mortar location, computers and a transport vehicle. Donate online! (Photo by George Duchannes for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: Sarah Scheideman 'came out of nowhere' to be a catalyst for emerging talent

More than 100 sculptures span 10 acres of dusty, windswept desert in Joshua Tree – the work of Noah Purifoy. The late artist moved into a friend’s trailer in 1989, and it was here that he spent his last 15 years creating an outdoor museum. The site received increased appreciation after several works were included in a 2015-16 Los Angeles County Museum of Art exhibition, “Noah Purifoy: Junk Dada.” Now, the NOAH PURIFOY FOUNDATION preserves his work. Donations are welcomed. (Photo by Lance Gerber for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: What would Noah Purifoy do?

The JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION is the official nonprofit partner of Joshua Tree National Park. In addition to operating park bookstores and hosting classes, the organization raises funds for the park through its membership program and public events. You can volunteer to help out with field study courses and lecture series, or give a financial gift to support the cause. To volunteer, contact desertinstitute@joshuatree.org or call 760-367-5535. Make a donation online. (Photo by Lance Gerber for DESERT magazine)

High desert design studio FIRE ON THE MESA creates timeless furniture for the contemporary home – and now you can see the work in a new showroom, Shop on the Mesa, in Yucca Valley. Founded by Anthony Angelicola and Thao Nguyen, the brand is beloved for its handcrafted furniture, from leather lounge chairs to walnut side tables – not to mention custom projects like cabinetry in popular local Airbnb, The Joshua Tree Hacienda. (Photo courtesy Fire on the Mesa)

Want to take the desert home with you? Enter JOSHUA TREE CANDLE CO. This locally owned company hand-pours each candle with heart, and was founded to capture the true essences of the desert. From current offerings, you can breathe in the distinct aromas of Morning Sage, Cholla & Palo Santo, and more. The company also recently released air fresheners that match the scents of their most popular candles. (Photo by Lance Gerber for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: Joshua Tree candle Co. captures the true essences of the desert

Now in Joshua Tree, ALL ROADS fuses metal and textiles in one-of-a-kind home goods, as textile artist Janelle Pietrzak joins forces with welder Robert Dougherty to create products that neither could achieve on their own. You can shop some of their creations online, like a blackened steel record rack and a pink-copper weaving, or visit their "Stordio" in Yucca Valley. Pietrzak's work can also be found at Anthropologie. (Photo courtesy Anthropologie)

READ MORE: All Roads fuses metal and textiles

Lisa Burford creates her MOJAVE MACRAME works with the desert in mind. "From the colors of the desert to actual pieces of nature, every piece is inspired by the beautiful, fragile, and tough desert I call home," she writes. Current offerings include hanging planters, "Tre-easels," and wall art. Contact Lisa at make@mojavemacrame.com if you're interested in a piece, or purchase work at Black Luck Vintage in Yucca Valley. (Photo courtesy Lisa Burford)

READ MORE: Agate accessories let you bring the outside in

Woodworking woman Xihomara Alvarez is the creative force behind XIO DESIGN STUDIO, where she creates intricate headboards and wall hangings filled with different types of wood and arrays of color. I'm saving up for her made-to-order headboard, and am inspired by the 4'x2' black and white Pendleton. All made in Joshua Tree, these pieces add rustic yet whimsical flair to your home. (Photo courtesy Xihomara Alvarez)

READ MORE: An old trading post in the Mojave desert has evolved into a gathering place

Jewelry artist ADINA MILLS fuses crystals with urban edge to create one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. Each of her pieces is an organic take on urban funk: Obelisk-shaped rings mount large chunks of white apophyllite and purple amethyst in hand-sculpted clay, while giant pendants made of quartzite or geode drip from chunky ropes and gold chokers. For the past three years, the artist has operated out of Landers, and her pieces have been worn by the likes of Erykah Badu. (Photo courtesy Adina Mills)

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Sterling silver meets natural stones in the work of SIERRA KEYLIN JEWELRY, who uses traditional silversmithing techniques to create bold and graphic earrings, necklaces, rings and more. In a pair of Nomad Earrings, for example, Keylin saws, files, shapes and textures the silver by hand before hanging them on a forged bail on hand-formed ear wires. She then hand-buffs and polishes the silver for a darkened patina look. In addition to her online shop, pieces can be found at The End in Yucca Valley and BKB Design in Palm Springs. (Photo courtesy Sierra Keylin)

READ MORE: Make a statement with these accessories

Since moving to Joshua Tree in 2010, Sigrid Anne Johnson's passion for hunting down precious gemstones has flourished. A few years ago, she started wire-wrapping, which evolved into SIGRID ANNE DESIGN. With each piece, she is "careful not to steal any thunder from the natural beauty of the stone," rather, she strives "to build a cradle which elegantly frames this natural beauty, thereby presenting it in the best possible light." Her favorites to work on are custom wraps, because she can "fully empathize" with her client's attachment to the item, "and their love flows through" her work. (Photo courtesy Sigrid Anne Johnson)

LILI T CALIFORNIA is a brand known for sophisticated jewelry and chic leather bags. At the center is Lili Tanner, who creates each jewelry piece (like the above Bronze Bracelets) in Twentynine Palms. In the case of these bangles, Tanner shapes precious metal clay (pure bronze) into bracelets, lets them dry, fires them in a kiln, tumbles them and then polishes them. "Their charm is that they’re all slightly different and irregular," she says. "I want them to look like they’d been made 2,000 years ago." (Photo courtesy Lili Tanner)

Coachella Valley R&B singer-songwriter PORSIA CAMILLE recently released her debut EP "Pisces Moon." If you like soulful smooth jams, this album is for you. Or if you want to, you know, set the mood. My favorite tracks are "Don't Align" and "Not Rushin It." (Photo courtesy Porsia Camille)

READ MORE: Coachella Valley DJ and R&B artist take desert fashion

Not just an esthetician, MEGAN HUTCH released her second EP "Alchemy" last month. Recorded at two high desert venues, High Lonesome Studios and Red Barn Recorders, the album captures the heart of desert wandering with folksy sensibility. Hutch's moody alto is the one I want playing while sipping whiskey by Joshua Tree moonlight. (Photo courtesy Megan Hutch)

GENE EVARO JR. has had a new EP, "Be My Baby," out since August. And it's really, really good. Groovy and sharp, the collection makes me want to get up and dance. Evaro is a fixture in the high desert music scene, but has been expanding his following by touring the country opening for the likes of Blues Traveler, Elle King and more. (Photo courtesy Gene Evaro Jr.)

Tachevah 2017 showcase winner SHAWN DON has been busy over the last few months. In August, he appeared on Patti Stanger's "Million Dollar Matchmaker" on WEtv, then was featured on one of Facebook's first original programs "Make up or Break up." Oh, and he put out a new album. "GodMode" featuring Snoop Dogg, DJ Mustard and Clyde Carson, among others, on which the Rancho Mirage residents raps about God and girls. (Photo courtesy Shawn Don)

READ MORE: Shawn Don crowned winner at Tachevah finals

Inside IRON PALM TATTOO PARLOUR, the walls are plastered with original artwork. Co-owners Cody Cowan and Wane Kan like it that way. I've gotten one tattoo from Kan and I couldn't be happier; my best friend had Cowan work on her entire back and feels the same way. If you're looking for artists who hone in on the fundamentals of the artistry – solid black lines and black shading for long-lasting color – this duo is right up your alley. Contact for bookings at ironpalmtattoo@gmail.com. (Photo by George Duchannes for DESERT magazine)

READ MORE: Palm Springs tattoo shop has classic vibe

High desert artist TAYLOR ELYSE COMPTON hand-pokes tattoos that are both intricate and intimate, manually inserting ink into skin as opposed to using a machine. "Sessions are usually filled with laughs, great music, and of course palo santo burning," she says. I'm saving up to have her mark me with a poppy. For tattoos email Compton at info.taylortattooing@gmail.com. (Photo courtesy Taylor Elyse Compton)

Kristin Scharkey is the editor of DESERT magazine. Reach her at kristin.scharkey@desertsun.com or on Twitter @kscharkey.