The beauty of the desert meets the joy of the season.

Kristen Forgione recently transformed a Paradise Valley home, once owned by golfer Phil Mickelson, for the holidays. The client wanted the space—featuring ceilings as high as 18 feet—to feel luxurious without tipping into kitsch.“Our approach was to bridge the home’s grandeur with intimacy, infuse color and evoke a classic Christmas feeling,” says Forgione, principal designer and creative director at THELIFESTYLEDCO.

For projects like this, Forgione begins with the tree. Known for her “organic desert living” style, which favors sophisticated neutrals, the holiday season gives her a chance to layer in traditional reds and greens. Bows are a recurring motif throughout the home—a key element that, in her words, “ties everything together,” pun intended. Furniture is arranged to encourage conversation and interaction, complementing the festive decor. Still, it’s the bar area, complete with champagne on tap, that Forgione is most proud of.

“A lot of bars feel masculine,” she notes. “By adding holiday layers, it became more androgynous—and even a little feminine—which is very welcomed.”

While ribbons are plentiful, Forgione emphasizes restraint. “Make a list after considering your overall vision for the space,” she advises. “Sticking to it ensures your holiday decor remains cohesive and intentional.”

Deck the Desert

Scottsdale Fashion Square has the perfect solution for those looking to add a touch of desert style to their holiday decor. The Trees for Hope initiative features 10 lovingly designed saguaro cacti and 15 joyful wreaths for this year’s Cactus Collection Edition.

The artists participating were tasked with creating a design that embodies the 48th state—from its beautiful sunsets to its desert landscapes—complete with toppers, ornaments, skirting, ribbons, garland, fabrics and fillers. The entries are eligible to be awarded Best in Show and People’s Choice by a panel of judges. 

Shoppers are invited to visit the collection in the West and South Luxury Wings of Scottsdale Fashion Square until Dec. 10 and bid on their favorite entry. Proceeds support the Hope Fund at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  (fashionsquare.com)

Take It Outside

With mild winter evenings, Arizona courtyards are perfect for festive gatherings. Layer in wreaths, garlands and glowing trees to blur the line between indoors and out—think desert-friendly evergreens, bold accents and candlelight to create a cozy, desert-holiday glow.

Sugar Plum Pie recipe

pie crust

• 1¼cup all-purpose flour
• ½teaspoon salt
• ½teaspoon sugar
• 4tablespoons butter
• ¼cup cold water

Topping

• ½cup sugar
• ½cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8teaspoon cardamom, ground
• 1teaspoon caraway seeds
• 1½teaspoons fennel seed
• 3tablespoons butter, cold

Plum puree

• 2-3 plums, pitted, skin-on
• ½tablespoons sugar

Filling

• 1½cup sugar
• 2tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4large eggs
• ¼teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼teaspoon nutmeg
• 5tablespoons plum puree
• ½tablespoon lemon juice
• ½cup melted butter, room temp
• 4plums, sliced, skin-on

For the pie crust, combine flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Chop butter into thin slices and, with your fingers, work it into the dry ingredients until pea-sized bits form. Once butter is mixed in and consistency of pie dough is crumbly, slowly add cold water until dough is moistened. Roll dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour until firm. When ready, flatten dough ball into a disk and roll it out on a floured surface until it is large enough to fill a 9½-inch glass pie pan. Fit dough into pan, trimming to a ½-inch overhang. Roll top to create edge and, using your fingers, crimp edge. If desired, use a toothpick to create a hatch design. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For plum puree, blend plums in a food processor or blender until mostly smooth. In a sauce pan over low heat, warm puree with sugar and stir until dissolved.
Set aside. 

Make topping by mixing sugar, flour and cardamom in a medium-size bowl. In a dry pan over medium heat, toast caraway and fennel seeds until fragrant and lightly browned. Crush toasted seeds with a mortar and pestle; add to dry sugar blend. Cut butter into dry mixture until crumbly. Set aside. 

For filling, whisk sugar, flour and eggs until fluffy. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, plum puree and lemon juice. Stir in melted butter until incorporated. Pour liquid mixture into prepared pie shell. Arrange plum slices inside shell, distributing them evenly.

Spread topping over pie, then bake for 1 hour or until filling appears mostly firm when moved. Allow pie to cool and chill overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Before serving, garnish pie with edible flowers, such as pansies, or extra plum slices and vanilla ice cream.

Serves 8

Merry and Modern

Each holiday season, Scottsdale’s beloved AZ88 transforms its restaurant with a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree that inevitably becomes the talk of the town. The tradition began decades ago when owner Karl Kopp decided to create something striking for the holidays—something that would stop guests in their tracks.

“Our artistic expression is played out through these pieces, and whether you love it or hate it is totally irrelevant to us,” says manager Paul Martinez. “If you’re talking about it, it’s a winner.”

Over the years, AZ88’s trees have ranged from whimsical to edgy. One unforgettable design crafted entirely from safety pins turned pointillism into sculpture. Another—fondly remembered as “the Barbie tree”—featured dolls suspended in jars filled with vivid liquids.

“We even posed some of the dolls in rather provocative positions,” Martinez recalls with a laugh. Only three artists have helmed the annual creation. Milwaukee-based legend Larry Mercure designed the first trees, followed by Valley artist Janice Leonard, who continued the tradition until her passing in 2014. Since then, New York artist Cristian Candamil has carried the torch, bringing his own inventive spin each year.  (az88.com)

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CHILE-INFUSED MEZCAL 

• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, or to taste
• 1 tablet Abuelita or Ibarra brand Mexican chocolate (available at local grocery stores)
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 ounces ancho chile-infused mezcal

In a heavy saucepan, heat milk, sugar, chocolate and salt over medium-low heat until chocolate melts. Whisk until smooth. Add chile-infused mezcal. Pour into mugs and garnish with grated cinnamon or marshmallows. Serves 2

ANCHO CHILE-INFUSED MEZCAL 

• 1 dried whole ancho chili
• One 750-milliliter bottle mezcal

Destem and wipe ancho chile clean and place in a 16-ounce Mason jar. Fill with mezcal and seal.  Allow to infuse for a minimum of 4 hours to taste.  Strain and discard pepper.

See the Lights

World of Illumination
Through Jan. 4

Turn up your car radio and enjoy this immersive musical light show at two locations in the Valley. Tempe’s Rockin’ Christmas features energetic music and synchronized lights for a lively vibe. Glendale’s Cosmic Sleighride offers a space-themed holiday light show set to festive tunes for an out-of-this-world experience. Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe; and Desert Diamond Casino, 9431 W. Northern Ave., Glendale; worldofillumination.com

ZooLights
Through Jan. 16

Experience one of the Valley’s most enchanting holiday traditions as real-life animals roam amid glowing gardens and towering, life-size lanterns. Meet Jengo, the zoo’s charming talking giraffe, sip hot cocoa, snap festive selfies beneath a three-story Christmas tree and share your wishes with Santa before taking in the dazzling music-in-motion light show. 5:30-10:30 p.m. daily. $30-$35, Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, (602) 286-3800, phoenixzoo.org

Las Noches de las Luminarias
Nov. 28-Dec. 30

The vegetation inside Desert Botanical Garden will shimmer and shine with festive magic as luminarias light up the trails and courtyards. Visitors can revel in live holiday entertainment while indulging in scrumptious seasonal treats. Select dates, 5:30-9:30 p.m. $15-$41. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, (480) 481-1225, dbg.org

Scottdazzle
Through Dec. 31

It will begin to look a lot like Christmas in Old Town Scottsdale when its storefronts get a holiday makeover for its Tinsel Trail. Many of the shops in the area get into the holiday spirit with food and drink specials, holiday deals, arts and crafts, letters to Santa, a scavenger hunt and plenty of family fun and live entertainment. Old Town Scottsdale, (480) 312-7177, scottsdazzle.com

Christmas on the Farm
Through Dec. 28

Step into a festive holiday fantasy with your family as you stroll through Santa’s Village during this joyous holiday celebration. Let the kids craft a keepsake ornament at the jolly old soul’s Toy Factory, or glide together across the ice rink. Toast s’mores by a crackling fire, sip rich hot chocolate and explore a dazzlingly colorful light maze. DH Farms – Phoenix Event Complex, 2209 N. 99th Ave., Phoenix, visitdhfarms.com

Pratt Brothers Christmas
Through Dec. 28

The local duo from “The Great Christmas Light Fight” has put together the state’s biggest light show. This year’s edition features an immersive illuminated gingerbread house complete with special effects and pyrotechnics. There’s also a nightly parade and a spectacular stunt show. Ticket prices start at $30. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, prattbrotherschristmas.com

Valor Christmas Light Show
Through Dec. 28

Mesa’s Lights at the Farm is now the Valor Christmas Light Show in Gilbert, and while the location may have changed, the beautiful holiday display hasn’t. Stroll with your family through millions of choreographed LED lights and themed holiday displays filled with everything from shiny strawberries to illuminated cacti. Valor Christmas Center, 3015 E. Warner Road, Gilbert, (480) 719-6520, arizonachristmaslights.com

Tianyu Lights Festival
Through Jan. 4

This event fuses nature and art with vibrant illuminated displays, including forests of animal lanterns, whimsical unicorns and dragons and a spectacular three-story color-changing butterfly tree, all designed to create a memorable experience for families. Wed.-Sun., 6-10 p.m., Camelback Ranch-Glendale, 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, tianyuculture.us

Glendale Glitters
Through Jan. 1

Experience the magic of Downtown Glendale nightly this holiday season. Walk through a tunnel of snowflakes, see shooting stars and glowing palm trees and enjoy delectable food trucks and other special surprises. 5-10 p.m. daily. Downtown Glendale, 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, glendaleaz.gov

Christmas at the Princess
Through Jan. 3

More than 16 million sparkling lights will illuminate the Valley’s most luxurious resort as it is transformed into a holiday paradise, complete with ice skating, sledding, a Ferris wheel, a 17-foot-long infinity tunnel and a visit from the man himself, Santa Claus. Relax at one of the fire tables or inside an igloo. Tickets start at $40. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, (800) 344-4848, christmasattheprincess.com

SOURCES

• Interior designer and Christmas decor: Kristen Forgione, THELIFESTYLEDCO, Gilbert, thelifestyledco.com.
• MERRY AND MODERN—AZ 88, Scottsdale, az88.com.
• DECK THE DESERT—Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale, fashionsquare.com.
• TAKE IT OUTSIDE—Architectural designer: Gary Wyant, Calvis Wyant, Scottsdale, calviswyant.com.
• Builder: Tony Calvis, Calvis Wyant, Scottsdale, calviswyant.com.
• Interior designer: Lissa Lee Hickman, Lissa Lee Hickman Inc., Scottsdale, lissaleehickman.com.
• Landscape designer: Jeremy McVicars, Refined Gardens, Scottsdale, refinedgardens.com.