From Italian Wine to Italian Leather, The Perfect Gifts for Every Italophile!

Italian products are synonymous with quality, which is why you can always look to Italy for great gift inspiration! Last year we rounded up some suggestions such as a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, and a Bialetti Moka. This year, while of course wine & coffee still have starring roles, we’ve gone in a distinctly luxury direction with some Italian fashion and beauty must-haves!

Alessi Espresso Cups

Alessi is the perfect example of contemporary Italian design done well. Otherwise ordinary household objects are turned into treasured conversation pieces. The coffee-lover in your life is sure to appreciate a good Italian espresso even more with this pair of Alessi Espresso Cups!

Where to buy: Find the nearest Alessi retailer to you, or buy them from Alessi’s Online Shop here

Santa Maria Novella Perfume

Florence is home to the world’s oldest pharmacy and cosmetic shop. In fact, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is not only a perfume and cosmetics shop, but a museum in its own right. Try a luxurious perfume or their best-selling Aqua di Rose, once used as an antiseptic during the plague, now a luxurious facial toner and perfume.

Where to buy: The original Santa Maria Novella pharmacy is found in Florence on Via della Scala 16. You can find retailers that carry their products on the Santa Maria Novella website, and if you’re in the United States they now have an online shop!

Cashmere Scarf

There’s nothing quite as luxurious as the feeling of soft Italian Cashmere! When cashmere goats moult, their coats are "dehaired," separating the coarse hair from the fine soft underhair. Cashmere is unparalleled in warmth, comfort and softness, and cashmere from Italy is an industry leader in quality. It can be pricey, so even a simple scarf is a special gift that any luxury-loving fashionista or Italophile will be sure to appreciate.

Where to buy: Find the 100% cashmere multicolor scarf shown above online at Tasselli Cashmere here.

Morellino di Scansano

Italian custom is to never show up to a dinner party empty-handed, and a bottle of wine is the perfect gift for an Italophile host. One of our favorites is undoubtedly Morellino, a sangiovese wine from Tuscany. We chose this bottle of La Mora, which the Cecchi winery describes as "a pleasant and dynamic wine. To the nose, it expresses fruity and intense aromas that give an unequivocal sensation of freshness."

Where to buy: At your local enoteca, or online here

Italian Leather Bag

Another material that Italy sets the quality standard for is leather. Especially famous for leather-making in Florence, where you’ll find everything from purses to belts and leather-bound journals in abundance. Be sure to pick up some souvenirs for yourself and some gifts for your loved ones!

Where to buy: All over Florence, or find the travel bag shown above online at Cuoieria Fiorentina here.

Bonus - Kiss Tours!

If you're headed to Italy in the new year (and if you're not, we suggest you reconsider), start planning your experiences with our personalized tours. Happy Holidays from all of us at Kiss From Italy!