I was thinking to bring some gifts to Italy to give as tips or a friend I might meet along the way.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Did you see this thread about small gifts?

Check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) forum for additional ideas from previous threads.

The best small gift you can give an Italian friend that you meet along the way is to invite him or her for lunch, or even just for a cup of coffee. It's not like we don't appreciate being given gifts, but I honestly doubt that you can find many items that are actually useful and good quality and not available in Italy as well. Oh, sur,e many of us would welcome a pack of ziplock bags, since these never caught in Italy (yes, for a time they were commercialized, but they failed), or similar small gifts, but when we befriend a tourist or anyhow a person it's not because we hope for a gift of any kind, but because we hope for human interaction. So, any friend you meet along the way, the most welcome gift will be sharing that espresso, and maybe a postcard from home when you go back to the States.

I agree with Alice totally. However, when I am going over and I know I'm going to meet a family or someone special, I take something that is native to Texas. Last time I tood a could of jars of salsa, sometimes I have taken Pralines (Candy), anything that is native to our home.

One of the loveliest small gifts I received from a US guest was a box of small cards, each one with a beautiful picture. They could be used as thank you cards or as gifts cards. You could choose landscapes, food, children, ect...Not heavy to carry, good quality and different from what we have. Small agendas, nice bookmarks or small notebooks with a nice cover would be on the same line. I am a paperholic.

Opera Darren's idea of local food sounds great - I had the exact same problem, planning to visit a friend and wanted to bring a gift. Maple Syrup! I also thought of a good cornbread mix, salsa, regional stuff like that. Also, it might be nice to bring local wines - Since you're from Jersey, you can probably find Long Island wines. Do they still sell salt water taffy at the shore?

Remeber that lots of Italians are still tied hands and feet to their regional cuisine only. If you know your friends are foodies and interested in international foods, go ahead with bringing them US specialities, including ones that require some perparations (but do not forget to add a conversion cahrt for the measuring cup and spoons, since here we don't use them: you can find one at the Expats in Italy main site; if you are very close to the foodie friends, ask them if they need any food specialy that they have a hard time getting in Italy too (I could think of a couple). If not, just bring a selection of really small amounts of various thingsh your friends in Italy may like to taste but will not feel overwhelmed about finishing (or throwing away) if they don't meet their tastes. The tiniest jar of peanut butter wil often be more welcome than a big one, because it will be a sample and not a threat ("What do we do with this buket of American glue?"), so bring really tiny amounts of lots of things ready to be sampled, nothing that must be prepared or cooked.

Something that Nicolletta requests every time we go are the Saran wrap plastic jar lids. They remind me of old fashioned shower caps but Nicolletta loves them!! I must have brought 50 the last trip and gave them to her at a party (her daughter's 21st birthday). All the girls laughed and laughed and went "Oh yes, Nicolletta and her jar hats."

Also Fabio and Nicolletta love brownie mix. But as mentioned include a measuring set. Brownies are easy, only need a graduated measuring cup.


We took refrigerator magnets with pictures of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, saguaro, local attractions. I am going to open a magnet store in Rome. It is going to be full of tchotchkey magnets with the David, the pantheon, a gondola, etc.. I'll make a million off american tourists!!

Since we loaded our carryons with tins of our own olive oil, parmigiano and little ceramic things to give as gifts in USA we had empty ones to fill up on the return trip: Items for family and friends included; scenic calendars for 2007, T shirts, magnets from museum stores, soft flannel pJ'S for lounging at home, cosmetics , art books and countless paperback books and magazines.

We usually take a bottle of wine (California, Oregon, etc.) to our friends in Italy. However, it can be heavy and awkward to carry.

The other thing we have taken which I think are great little gifts are some dollar coins, especially the Sacagawea coin that depicts the Native American woman whose presence was essential to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition. You can get these at your bank and they only cost $1!! It's been my understanding that Italians are interested in things Native American. Also, it has a beautiful gold color and is super easy to carry. Next time I'm going to take more and give them to children or others that we meet along our journey.

Hope this helps!!

One of the things we brought were nice tote bags. I know most of the people we know go to the grocery store, or other shopping, and have to carry their daily purchases home. It is not like here where we pile up bags and hop in the car. The totes are flat and take little space.

They loved the little stretch bracelets.

quote:

Originally posted by Umbriagirl:
The other thing we have taken which I think are great little gifts are some dollar coins, especially the Sacagawea coin that depicts the Native American woman whose presence was essential to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition. You can get these at your bank and they only cost $1!! It's been my understanding that Italians are interested in things Native American. Also, it has a beautiful gold color and is super easy to carry. Next time I'm going to take more and give them to children or others that we meet along our journey.

Hope this helps!!

Yes the italians I know love the SW jewelry and american Indian arts and crafts. One caveat - almost 75% of the stuff you see in stores is NOT native but "made in Taiwan" or where ever.
We regularly gave Navajo, Hopi or Zuni handcrafts as gifts our first couple of years in Italy. I am lucky because I work with a number of navajo and hopi people. When I ask them where to go for gifts for European friends they usually direct me to an aunt or grandmother selling rugs or jewelry or pots.

Now the best stuff from the reservation goes directly to Europe. I saw some top quality pots and Navajo jewelry on Via Condotti in Rome. Stuff you never see here, even in Scottsdale.

I will admit to buying Taiwan "Indian" rugs because they work beautifully for my life. Great eye appeal and I'm not obsessing about the dog throwing up on a $5,000 original Navajo.

I think any Italian woman who cooks would like a rasp style grater (available from bakerscatalogue.com item 6032). They make fast work of grated parmesan, which many grate freshly at least once a day! (and lemon peel, nutmeg).