You can do it. Hopefully you understand there is some configuration/setup (using XCTU that you can get free from Digi) to point the sender to the receiver. Here is one example http://www.digi.com/blog/videos/xbee-tech-tip-digital-io-line-passing-with-xbee/ And here are two more examples, http://examples.digi.com/sensors/802-15-4-digital-input-with-a-button/ the first shows how to setup a sender (with a switch) and the second that follows shows how to setup a receiver (with an led). I suppose you could wire/connect directly to the Zigbee. Many will use some sort of adapter board, just to use a more convenient voltage like 5v, and have something to solder to, to keep the Zigbee itself socket ready, to plug into the programming board. Something like this https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11373 Good luck.