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Christmas will soon be here! And after my two-week whirlwind trip through Italy this fall, I am convinced that Santa will be flying his sleigh from Italy to our home and many other homes this year! Here are just a few ideas for all of us that would delight others to unwrap with a little bit (and sometimes a large bit) of Italian flair:
How about a stove top espresso pot? These traditional Italian coffee pots come in many sizes and I’m loving the 9-cup size. This is a photo of the espresso pot in the villa we stayed in while in on the Amalfi coast.
But if Santa from Italy wants to be REALLY nice,
he can bring this espresso machine with milk/cream steamer
for latte’s and cappuccinos!
Lavazza coffee is considered to be one of the top brands of espresso in Italy.
Santa could pack one of these in his big bag, right?
Another beverage to celebrate the holidays that would be warmly welcome is Italian wine.
This is a delicious varietal that we enjoyed during our olive oil tasting
and limoncello class in Amalfi.
And to place all of those new Italian wines, one could ask for an Italian-made rustic wooden wine rack
In my culinary dreams is an Italian wood-burning stove outdoors in a stone structure.
Wow, would this be a winner gift!
But since I know that is not going to happen,
Santa can bring some Italian pizza stones instead and I would be thrilled!
Maybe there are some who would love to see some dried pastas in unique shapes that are unavailable in the States.
So how about a food basket gift for someone you love with some pasta, olive oil, red peppers, and more?
The photos above and below were taken in Italy where one could go crazy with the huge selection.
On the right above, is a pasta shape (chitarrina) made from the traditional “chitarra” (guitar) pasta maker.
My parents gave me one (below) as a gift for driving them all over Amalfi!
We’ve already made some home-made spaghetti from it.
It flips over to make a wider linguine pasta.
This is a gift that I’ll cherish forever!
Who doesn’t love gelato? Even Santa must love this creamy treat!
These towering mountains of gelato easily tempted us in Florence.
I caved in for the blackberry gelato in this shop in Amalfi.
So Santa, hey good buddy,
a wonderful gelato machine would be an over-the-top gift!
A bottle of very aged Balsamico vinegar would be super sweet too!
This bottle is from my cousin, Enrico Santi’s vinegar cellar where he has barrels
of ‘aceto’ dating back to 1965!
How about roasting chestnuts on an open fire?
Chestnuts were sold along Amalfi Drive in huge quantities (above).
Whether imported or home-made, a little limoncello would be a
gift to make any sweetheart pucker up!
How about a whole leg of prosciutto?
Get serious here, Roz!
I just wish prosciutto was as inexpensive here in the States as it was in Italy!
For those who would love to receive something non-food related,
there’s always Italian leather goods such as a jacket from this shop in Florence.
Leather gloves in any color would be a lovely gift for either him or her,
and wouldn’t load down Santa’s sleigh with extra weight!
or Italian lingerie from this shop in Florence would be nice under the tree!
or a piece or two of Italian ceramics from Amalfi (above and below)?
And then there’s always something that can be given in wonderful small boxes,
such as this Italian gold jewelry (below) on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
such as this Italian gold jewelry (below) on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
I just fell in love with this bracelet, Santa . . . but it sure didn’t (and won’t) come home with me.
Gold is just so expensive right now, and the euro to dollar exchange rate made Italian jewelry totally untouchable for me.
Gold is just so expensive right now, and the euro to dollar exchange rate made Italian jewelry totally untouchable for me.
With my background in the fashion industry, Santa, you know that I drool
over Italian knits. This sweater jacket was just so cool!
Knits with velvet with silk . . . pretty enticing stuff Santa!
So much texture on texture in solid colors . . . gorgeous clothes!
or maybe there’s someone out there who would enjoy a pair of
custom-made Amalfi leather sandals?
For the practical, but luxurious-practical person on your list, who wouldn’t
love to slip into Italian bed linens? This is on my dream wish list!
Santa, for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, maybe not for Christmas, but someday:
I truly do want this tiny little Italian Fiat that’s parked behind the blue Smart car . . .
yes, that IS how small this little red putt-putt car is!
I truly do want this tiny little Italian Fiat that’s parked behind the blue Smart car . . .
yes, that IS how small this little red putt-putt car is!
Can you imagine the gas mileage that this mini car gets?
but Santa, there are men out there that would prefer this red beast of a Ferrari
or at least a gift to just drive one for one hour in Modena, Italy.
But spending money like that is just not me, Santa . . .
I think an Italian scooter like these below in Positano are more fitting of my carefree lifestyle!
I think an Italian scooter like these below in Positano are more fitting of my carefree lifestyle!
Oh and Santa, I know a lot of people who love to write and journal,
so some hand-made Amalfi paper in Florentine bound bookends would be divine!
I could also seriously see giving some luxurious Italian bath soap
to some of my dear friends!
For the collector in the family, something lovely such as this beautiful Capodimonte’ flower bouquet that I picked up in Naples, would be a fine gift indeed!
The end of the stick pin shows how tiny these little porcelain flowers are!
And Santa, I know my mother would love one of the fragrances
from the house of Dolce and Gabbana
What would Christmas be without beautiful music?
Andrea Bocelli’s voice would be wonderful to listen to
sitting by the fireside with a cup of cappuccino on Christmas Eve.
Whether large or small,
practical or luxurious,
expensive or economical,
there is certainly something from Italy
that will make anyone happy and grateful!
Enjoy your Christmas season!
One of each please, dear santa, can you hear me?
I’d be happy with any of it Roz. The sweaters and shawls in Positano were gorgeous!!!
Santa could bring me anything on your list and I’d be a very happy girl!
I agree with Marie’s comment, above! Hello, Santa Baby? Leave a little something under the tree, for me. Great post, Roz. xo
I have the same list Santa … wink, wink!
Jo
So many great ideas for us practical folks and dreamers alike. Just goes to show you that “made it Italy” is always a great idea.
I don’t ask much, but just that pasta maker and a pair of leather sandals
)
Yes to all, please.
I remember everyone having the stove top espresso pots when I was growing up. I was surprised the first time I had coffee out of the house… how thin it was. I just assumed that all coffee was espresso.
you are a true authority when it comes to Italy! thank you for this lovely collection of goodies. I definitely want the pasta maker and the stone oven, thank you
All your gift ideas are so great! You have a wonderful taste! And I love Andrea Bocelli!
Your gift list brought back so many memories of my visit to Florence and Amalfi. I would take anything on this list, but, I have to admit that the Ferrari would be my pick.
Love your gift list, Roz. I’d actually love a wood burning stove outdoors as well. Can you imagine the get togethers you could have out there? Hope you are doing well! Merry Christmas to you!
Heavenly! I’d love to write a wish list on Amalfi paper after washing up with Italian soap. And while Bocelli sings,dabbing a bit of Dolce & Gabbana fragrance behind the ear. Oh, right! Christmas is the season for giving…
Seriously =) Love your ideas…Roasted chestnuts, marron glacé (and Mont Blanc chestnut cream cakes) are popular gift items in Japan, too.
Send me some of those adorable shoes made with Italian leather. When people think of Italy, food is the first thing that comes to mind naturally. But wait, don’t forget they are leaders in fashion and have fabulous shoes & bags. Italian leather is the finest in the world.
Sam
If I had a yard I’d have a woodburning oven set up for pizza. If I had a parking space here in Manhattan, the Ferrari 458 Italia. But I have neither ….
Seeing those rows and rows of pasta literally made me giddy!
That would be a happy Christmas indeed. I am looking forward to doing my Christmas shopping there – we leave on Thursday and return in January!
Hallo Roz. I was able to put the goggle translate in my blog: you can read all you want! Kisses
That is certainly a comprehensive list of delightful ideas and wishes! I’ll take one of everything- or at least a trip to oogle it all in Italy. Thanks for the great trip!
You’ve given me the itch to get back to Italy…and this time with an empty suitcase to bring home some of these marvelous gifts
What a fantastic present from your parents!
Have you copied my wishing list??? Believe it or not ICE CREAM is my favourite and my best present. Creamy and flavoursome I miss it so much.