And just like that, the holiday season is around the corner. This means an abundance of food, family time, and gift exchanges are in store! What better way to share the love of Italy than to shop and give unique, thoughtful gifts? Especially when they’re created by the country’s talented artisanal community.
Made with love, time, and talent, each of these items represents Italy’s timeless heritage and contemporary lifestyle. When you buy from these artisans you will be supporting local makers and small businesses, as well. Explore our favorite Made In Italy gift ideas below. And, you may even stumble upon something special for yourself, too.
Handblown Glass
Dating back to the 13th century, Venetian glass-making is an art of its own and absolutely mesmerizing to watch. The Milanese brand and design studio, Stories of Italy, has reinvented Murano glass. By using the traditional blown-class method, they create extraordinary everyday objects. We also love the balance between clean shapes and bright colors in the form of vases, candles and tumblers, and more.
Velvet Slippers
Le Friulane, Venetian velvet slippers, is a must for anyone who admires the effortless elegance of Italian women. These unisex shoes are not only timeless, lightweight, and versatile, they’re sustainable! Friulane was created in the 1800s using extra fabric scraps to create comfortable, stylish footwear. Visit Piedàterre Venice to peruse a kaleidoscope of colors, this family-owned business has been hand-stitching Venetian slippers since 1952.
Books about Italy
Can you ever have enough books about Italy? Absolutely not! If you’re shopping for gifts for a foodie, check out our favorite contemporary Italian cookbooks, featuring 17 titles covering regional cuisine from north to south. And, don’t miss brand new releases by our friends in Rome: How To Be Italian by Maria Pasquale and The Sweetness Of Doing Nothing by Sophie Minchilli. These two books are certainly perfect for anyone who longs to recreate the Italian lifestyle–no matter where they are in the world.
Cushions with a Cause
Payboy Bojang, a craftsman, designer, and asylum-seeker from Gambia, is the founder of In Casa by Payboy. This small social enterprise manufactures elegant homewares in Naples. After an arduous, two-year journey to reach Italy, Paboy launched his business at the start of the pandemic and his success has enabled him to employ fellow migrants who help him hand-sew sumptuous ruffled cushions and colorful table mats. Learn more about the refugees who have found business success in Naples in The Guardian and read more about Paboy’s story here.
Panettone
Nothing says buon natale like the taste and smell of Panettone! This towering, fragrant Italian sweet bread is said to have originated in Milan and is usually filled with candied fruit like raisins, citrus, or almonds. This year, we’re excited to taste Olivieri 1882’s new panettone laced with sweet balsamic cream and balsamic-infused raisins, a collaboration with Carandini (one of Modena’s most storied balsamic vinegar acetaia). Olivieri, a 6th-generation bakery based in Veneto, has received numerous awards for its panettoni—once you have a taste, you’ll never be able to go back.
Heavenly Scents
Coreterno, which translates to “eternal heart,” crafts mystical gifts inspired by vintage prints, femininity, and rock and roll. The brand’s scented candles, channeling moods like “intuition” and “fortitude,” are intoxicating and sure to provide comforting scents to get you through the long winter months. The gold-leaf labels make them the perfect statement piece for your shelf. The Gift of Love, with notes of Sumatra coffee, English pear, pink pepper, and vanilla, is one of our favorites.
Mediterranean Jewelry
Francesco Tramontano is a young Neapolitan craftsman, born into a family of artisans that influenced his dedication to tradition, art, and beauty. In 2008, Francesco opened his own jewelry workshop and store in Naples to work with silver and brass–his designs are inspired by Mediterranean symbols, like the sun and the sea, and many are even customizable.
Colorful Cashmere
Produced by small family-owned mills in Italy, Lois Avery’s 100% cashmere scarves are a thoughtful gift that will last a lifetime (and through many seasons). We love the wide array of colors and subtle patterns, including designs with luxurious pleats and playful spots. Lightweight and versatile, these scarves are bound to become a staple in your wardrobe, wrapped around your most meaningful memories of Italy.
Leather Handbags
Unwrapping a box to spy a beautiful new handbag, with the smell of leather filling the air, is one of our favorite experiences to gift and receive. Especially when that handbag is handmade in Tuscany and features a fun, accordion design that sets it apart. This circular crossbody bag, made by Boldrini Selleria, is called “Opera” which means masterpiece in Italian. The name speaks for itself.
Art Prints
While gifting a work of art may feel daunting, Anna Monaco’s cheerful fine-art prints will reflect the sweetness of the Mediterranean throughout an entire room. Inspired by the myths and legends of her native Naples, as well as neighboring coastal towns like Positano and Pompeii, Anna loves to play with color, as she believes in the positive energy it brings into our lives. These prints are the perfect way to bring the Amalfi Coast into your home (discover more ideas here).
Quality Linens
Inspired by the slow, southern Italian lifestyle the Pugliesi have mastered over centuries, Marcella Cazzato founded Tre Gioie dalla Puglia to inspire relaxation and joy at home. Each product is designed for, or around, the table and produced in small batches by local artisans. Last year, Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri also worked with Tre Gioie’s manufacturers to create her cruise collection presented in Lecce. From tea towels to tablecloths and table runners, we love Marcella’s mission and vision.
Keychains
Looking for something small that will make even the simplest object more special? These Tuscan leather keychains by Fabriano Boutique are a great stocking stuffer and serve as a daily reminder of Italian elegance and artisanal craftsmanship.
Ceramic Coasters
Based out of Sicily’s famous ceramic town of Caltagirone, Maremoro produces exceptional decorative items using traditional techniques. From serving plates and vases to bowls and side tables, there’s a treasure trove of products to bring the Sicilian sunshine into your home. The hand-painted majolica tiles come in a set of four and are fun to use as coasters or to serve finger foods when hosting an Italian dinner party at home.
Venetian Fragrances
A bottle of Gritti Venetia perfumes is the perfect gift to add a little opulence to your life. The family-owned brand has an extensive line of rich, bold scents that will seduce your senses and transport you straight to Italy. Chantilly, a fresh and fruity powder scent, conjures the ripeness of Italian summer fruits, while the Turchesi line features refreshing citrus and sea notes that will remind you of a holiday along the Amalfi Coast. Also, the perfume bottles are sure to be an elegant addition to your vanity.
Artisanal Coffee
An artisanal coffee roaster based in Brescia, Agust produces some of the best coffee in Italy. This year’s Christmas blend with 100% Arabica has sweet and citrus notes of almond and tangerine, along with honey and a pleasant acidity that pairs well with holiday sweets. Learn more about how Agust is ushering in a new era for sustainable coffee in Italy.
Accessory Dish
CiaoBellina’s sweet accessories turn everyday motions into beautiful experiences–and help you stay organized at home. This ceramic dish with terrazzo texture and calming colors is made from Jesmonite and is the perfect apartment therapy to elevate and harmonize, our living spaces.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
The perfect present for the ultimate home cook? Extra-virgin olive oil! Made from 100-year-old olive trees and cold-extracted for the purest flavor and maximum polyphenols, this olive oil will transport you straight to the Pugliese countryside. The limited edition gift boxes come with two monocultivar varieties: peranzana, a fruity medium olive oil, and coratina, an intense olive oil with spicy, bitter flavors.
