For the friend who loves Italy—who’s always vacationing in the European boot, who insists on calling you amore, who correctly pronounces bruschetta—you must offer Italian gifts. When they’re not sunning themselves on a Sicilian beach or sipping a spritz in the middle of a piazza, just know that they’re hurting inside, dreaming of la dolce vita. And what better way to ease that pain than with gifts from Italy? Not just any old wine or olive oil will do. You must get them the real Made-in-Italy stuff, conveniently delivered to their door. Or perhaps your door. You may as well get yourself something, too.
The selection of Italian gift ideas below lists all kinds of goodies created by Italian artisans, makers, and designers—everything from leather goods made by storied Italian heritage brands to wines that even a Piedmontese nonna would love to receive. The gifts here vary in audience and price point, so if nothing else, consider them inspirational or aspirational. The thought is what counts, and the thought is that you want to take them to Italy, even if only through a stocking stuffer. And if they’re not totally into material things, you can always give them the gift of the Italian language—you might even practice with them—or a memorable experience in Italy. (You may as well buy them a ticket to Italy, too; and when you’re there, these are the best hotels in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, and more.)
Below, 41 beautiful Italian gifts for the traveler who’s always dreaming of Italy.
Find the best Italian gifts by category:
For the foodie
One of the biggest blessings of being an Italophile and a fan of food is that these two loves go hand-in-hand. Italy is so known for its cuisine—so much more wide-ranging than just pizza and pasta—that anyone who loves Italian culture will be happy with something as simple as a bottle of good olive oil. Or wine. Or even salt. The options below all come from Italy itself, from beautifully aged Parmigiano to decadent truffles in their most accessible forms (jarred as sauces). We’ve also included some coffee beans that they can run through either a classic stovetop Moka pot or a beginner-level espresso machine, if your gift-receiver needs a new hobby to get into. And give a pasta maker or cookware that’ll last a longtime for the foodie who knows their way around a kitchen. If you’re in luck, they’ll try out their new toys by making some Italian dishes (see the gift section for homebodies for cookbooks) and they’ll make you their taste tester.
For the stylish traveler
A savvy shopper knows that, to get the best deals on Italian leather goods, one must go to the markets of Florence itself, even the city’s Scuola del Cuoio—literally ‘school of leather.’ But barring a trip to Tuscany, the world’s best designer names will have to do. Think of any internationally-renowned brands in shoes and bags and leather accessories, and you’ll probably think of an Italian name: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo. La famiglia is all here, as are some cult faves like Marni and heritage houses like Pineider. These are, of course, rather pricey, but it just proves the point that you may as well buy a plane ticket and get the goods from the source. To go along with that trip, we’re recommending some sunnies from Fendi (gotta have that dolce vita glamour) and one of our favorite carry-ons from Milan-founded Bric’s.
For the beauty buff
All that time in the Mediterranean sun means that Italians know how to take care of their skin and their famously good looks. Here’s a selection of beauty and grooming brands that are worthy of a space in any Italy lover’s bathroom or vanity. Santa Maria Novella is an iconic Florentine brand that creates scents, soaps, candles, and more; Capri-originated Carthusia makes all manner of body care items and home fragrances; and Roman brand Borghese (founded by a princess from the Borghese family) does these incredible mud masks. Apart from these historic names, we’re tossing onto this wishlist some cool names in the Italian beauty scene like Le Rub (always have your SPF on hand!) and Gioli (gotta keep that hair looking fresh-from-the-sea slick). And of course, we can’t talk beauty and grooming without mentioning Acqua di Parma; find below a little flight of its most whisk-me-away tinctures based on the hottest spots along the Italian coastline.
For the homebody
Look, it’s fair enough; sometimes all the jetting around from Taormina to Lake Como to Venice can all be too much. For those days that demand downtime at home, here are some treats to bring Italy into a decadent domestic space. Dolce & Gabbana Casa is indulgence made manifest as a candle and a vibrant throw pillow, while the Frette sheets and Loro Piana throw are for eight-hour long Italian film marathons on the couch or in bed. (It’s not called “bed rotting” when you’re doing it so chicly, no?) For the Italy-obsessed bookworm in your life, give them a handsome copy of the greatest classical work of Italian literature ever. And if someone needs play catch-up on their Ferrante, a box set of the Neapolitan novels will do just the trick. If pretty picture books are the preference of your intended, the Dolce Vita tome from Assouline or the photographs in Il Dolce Far Niente are exactly what they need. And for the one who you’ll trick into hosting all the dinner parties with the foodie gifts you’ll give, the new Liguria cookbook will seal the deal.
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For the experience seeker
There are those among us who eschew material goods, who would much rather receive the gift of life—of, indeed, vita. Make theirs all the more sweet by treating them to an experience in Italy they won’t soon forget. Whether it’s a wine tasting in Milan or even a sailing-and-swimming excursion in the Venetian lagoon, here are a few of our favorites through Airbnb. Just be sure to book yourself a spot in that experience with them.
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For the language learner
If you have a beloved someone in your life who can say “ciao” and “grazie” but is ready to take that next step when ordering at a restaurant in Italy, give them the gift of knowledge. There are apps like Duolingo and Babbel, but a book can take learning to the next level; there’s just something about holding physical pages rather than looking at a screen that feels like we’re now on to a serious endeavor. To start out, a Rick Steves phrase book and dictionary can keep it fun and lighthearted, while a copy of Italian for Dummies will offer some self-guided learning (set aside 15 minutes a day to going through the exercises, a New Year’s resolution!). And if you have a true-blue nerd in your family, chosen or otherwise, give them the latest edition of Soluzioni from Routledge—yup, the textbook publisher—if they’re really itching to go back to school.
