Christmas centres around special moments shared with those we love. In Italy that can mean presepio, family reunions and church activities. However, like it or not, this time of the year is not only about religious celebrations and family gatherings, but also about exchanging gifts, those small or big boxes under the Christmas tree that make both children and adults curious and excited.
So why not adding a little bit of Italy into your holiday festivities by giving a special gift straight from the bel paese. Whether it’s buying a local handmade gift or giving to a national charity, you have done your part this holiday season.
Below are our recommendations for Italian-inspired gifts to leave under the Christmas tree.
1. Teach me Buon Natale
For a perfect family gift, we suggest a nice audio book to learn Christmas carols featuring traditional Italian songs sung only in Italian, including: Tu scendi dalle stelle; Astro del ciel; Bianco Natale (White Christmas). A great way to practice Italian with your children.
"Teach me Buon Natale" on Amazon
2. Il Volo - "We Are Love!"
Italian singing sensation IL VOLO is back with their newest masterpiece, "We Are Love!" - The album includes duets with Placido Domingo and Eros Ramazzotti as well as Il Volo’s soaring version of the Aerosmith / Diane Warren hit “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (“Questo Amore”). Il Volo also performs several English tracks including a unique cover of the U2 Hit “Beautiful Day,” along with a new Warren song, “I Bring You To My Senses,” and the title cut “We Are Love."
3. Florence And Tuscany: A Literary Guide for Travellers
Whether you are planning a trip to Florence and Tuscany or you want to dream about walking through the streets of this incredible Italian city sitting on you armchair, Ted Jones’ literary guide to the city takes you on a vivid and amazing journey, retracing the footsteps of writers who have lived and worked in, or been inspired by, the history and landscape of the most famous Italian region, Tuscany.
"Florence And Tuscany: A Literary Guide for Travellers" on Amazon
4. The Young Montalbano
If you are already in love with Andrea Camilleri’s Detective Salvo Montalbano’s books or TV series, you will definitely enjoy this prequel series explaining the genesis of the friendships, the rivalries and the romance as the players arrive to take their place in the beautiful Sicilian town of Vigata. As usual, the popular stories of the endearing investigator are as much about the lavish meals he enjoys as they are about the crimes he investigates. But new to Vigata and new to being a police chief, he didn't always live in that glorious house by the sea, or have Deputy Chief Mimi Augello as a best friend, or Fazio as a loyal assistant.... neither was he handsomely pudgy and bald!
"The Young Montalbano" on Amazon
5. Moleskine
Now writers and techies alike can enjoy the iconic Moleskine brand journals. Milan-based company manufactures diaries and sketchbooks that were once the favorites of Oscar Wilde, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest Hemingway.
For the first time, the company is offering iPad and iPhone covers that disguise your high-tech gadgets as classic notebooks.
6. Italian Beauty
Italy and Beauty, aren’t these two words a perfect fit? For a great Italian Christmas gift to pamper your senses and make you feel like an Italian beauty, we thought of Florentine Nesti Dante soaps.
When the Medici Family was in power in Florence, soap-making became a real profession; the corporation of Master Soapmakers was formed under the noble Art of Physicians and Pharmacists, with an alley in the heart of Florence still bearing the name of the Via dei Saponai (Soapmaker’s street). Nesti Dante is still producing soap using the classic cauldron method, so you can feel like Katerina dei Medici using this classic Tuscany dedicated soap collection.
7. Cookery Holidays
For a real taste of Italy, give an unforgettable gift of Italian cooking classes in Sicily. The week-long courses will take you on a culinary journey, from the kitchen where you will recreate traditional family recipes, to tours to visit local producers for fresh, authentic ingredients.
Visit the "LoveSicily" Website
8. Made in Italy Kitchen Tools
Made in Italy kitchen tools are also great gifts. This year we chose two different must have for all Italian pasta lovers who can start making their own pasta.
A traditional Pasta Guitar for making “spaghetti alla chitarra” and a classic pasta machine.
Classic Pasta Machine on Amazon
9. A little piece of Italy
For a little piece of Italy that you can use every day, give an ItalyMag tote or coffee mug. The practical and stylish gift can be a daily reminder of the bel paese.
10. Charity donation
Finally, Italy Magazine's best Italian Christmas present is a donation to one of Italy's most hard working charity, Emergency. An independent, neutral and non-political which provides free, high quality medical and surgical treatment to civilian victims of war, landmines and poverty.
The best way to help Italy helping the world!
