The best Italian gifts: for people who love Italy

Ciao a tutti! We love Italy and all things Italian. And we love receiving gifts that remind us of our favorite country in the world.

Italian themed gifts are a thoughtful way to show your Italy loving friends and family that you understand their passion and want to celebrate it with them.

We created this huge guide of Italian gifts to help you find that perfect present, no matter their age and interests or your budget. You’ll find everything from gift baskets, to books and cooking items to unique experiences. And it’s ok to add these things to your list too. I know I do!

Here are the top 3 items on my wishlist – apart from a trip to Italy of course!

• Virtual aperitivo – a fun way to celebrate the Italian way with a host live from Rome. Cin cin!
• delicious aged balsamic vinegar to drizzle over salad greens or eat with a slice of pecorino cheese
• this gorgeous images of Italy coffee table book full of gorgeous scenes from bella Italia

But, enough about me, start your Italy gift browsing now.

Virtual experiences

If we can’t go to Italy just yet we can still dream and plan. Several of our favorite companies are offering virtual tours and cooking classes so you can get in the mood for Italy from the comfort of home. Many of our readers have built these experiences into birthday celebrations for their loved ones. What a great idea! Here are some of the best:

Cooking with Nonna

Buying a gift for someone who wants to learn how to make pasta? Look no further than Nonna Nerina’s cooking class. Everyone knows that nonnas are expert pasta makers and Nerina has been teaching visitors to Italy for years to make their own. In 2020 the classes were brought online so people can learn in their own home. Gift cards are available – more info

WithLocals private online experiences

WithLocals offer wonderful private tours in Italy and around the world. Their online experiences are for up to 10 people means you can easily make them part of celebrations. You can take a virtual tour of Pompeii or create aperitivo hour in Rome with conversation to match and even cook a Tuscan pasta feast.

Italian language classes

Do you know someone who would love to learn Italian? There are many free resources online but nothing quite beats a structured course that can help you get from a friendly Ciao! to more in depth conversations with locals. Italian is such a beautiful language that getting the pronunciation right is important so look for a course or class that focuses on practicing sounds and speaking the language as Italians do.

We use and recommend Rocket Italian an online course and app which aims to get you to conversational level quickly. It has interactive voice lessons and cultural classes so you build confidence with common phrases you need in Italy. They also have a 60 day returns policy should your friend or loved one not find the lessons suitable > click here for course details

Italian gift baskets

Everyone loves Italian food don’t they? An Italian themed gift basket is an easy and thoughtful present that even the person who has everything will enjoy or share with friends and family.

We like this ‘Grazie’ Italian gift basket that bite by bite will take you back to delicious memories of any trip to Italy, with IGP pasta, an organic sauce, a few snacks like sopressata salame, olives, and crunchy tarallini crackers, and something sweet to top it all off.

1. Italian ‘thank you’ basket – has everything they need for an Italian feast > check inside
2. Capri gift box – choose from a selection of boxes full of tasty Capri products including oils, wine and sauces  > more info
3. Tuscany Christmas gift box – celebrate Christmas with one of Chianti-based KM Zero tours Tuscan gift boxes > more info
4. Italian Dinner Box – From appetizer to dessert all the ingredients for a delicious meal > more info
5. Gourmet Sicily box – Chef Annalisa’s selections include 2 online cooking lessons > more info

Make your own Italian food gift basket

Feeling creative and want to personalize your gift? Take a look at some of our favorite Italian products available in the United States and worldwide.

1. Biscotti – to munch on while you cook or dip into coffee > dunking details
2. Italian cookies – delicious sweet treats inspired by Italian favorites > click here for yum!
3. Arborio rice – for the best ever risotto – second helpings mandatory > where to buy
4. Aged balsamic vinegar – salads will never taste so good > more info
5. Torrone – a decadent after dinner nougat treat > delicious details
6. Pecorino – the most delicious Italian sheep’s milk cheese > shop here
7. Pasta – imported from Italy and best cooked to al dente > more info
8. Olive oil – you can’t make an Italian savory dish without it > drizzle details
9. Espresso coffee – Italians do it better! > get the brew

Just imagine what fun you will have choosing the items for your gift basket. You can also cater for food allergies, intolerances and preferences this way. For instance by choosing a high quality Italian made gluten free pasta.

Italian kitchen items

If you’re in love with Italy, chances are you love Italian food and cooking dishes in your own home. These gifts are perfect for any cook who loves to create Italian meals – from pasta to risotto and tiramisu.

1. Cheese grater – for the finishing touch on a pasta dish – Alessi make the best > details
2. Pasta machine – help them handroll their own linguine! > product info
3. Oil and vinegar set – for the perfect Italian table > more info
4. Moka espresso maker – you’ll find this stove top coffee maker in every Italian kitchen > product info

Books about Italy

Do your friends and family love to read? Choose a book that is set in Italy for their gift. Reading inspires travel and memories of trips past. Here are some book ideas for your Italy loving friend.

Novels set in Italy

Best book(s) for your best friend – No one quite captures the spirit of Naples like Elena Ferrante. The first of a quartet of best-selling novels, My Brilliant Friend explores the beginnings of a lifelong friendship between two girls who grew up on the rough streets of Naples. I read all four books within 2 weeks!  – > read our full review

Best for romantics – A Room with a View – at the turn of the 20th century, English woman Lucy Honeychurch tours Italy and undergoes a personal transformation. This classic novel transports you to Florence and the hills of Tuscany with every page.

Best for mystery lovers – The Villa in Italy – Four strangers are thrown together by fate to resolve the last will and testament of a woman they never met.

Best for lovers of historical fiction – Beneath a Scarlet Sky – set in Nazi-occupied Milan, this novel tells the true story of resistance hero Pino Lella.

Italian cook books

Home cooks appreciate great books that inspire their taste buds. There are so many great Italian cookbooks that cover general cooking techniques, through to detailed pasta and pizza making. 

Best for serious cooks – Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking and this excellent guide to regional Italian cooking

Best for families – easy and popular recipes from one of Italy’s favorite chefs and mentor to Jamie Oliver – Gennaro Let’s Cook Italian: Favourite Family Recipes

Best for easy recipes – Jamie Oliver’s chicken cacciatore is a winning dish that never fails – you’ll find it in his book Jamie’s Italy