Christmas 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 alike, curious and excited.
And what best than an Italian gift idea for those lovers of all things Italian friends and family members?
From beautiful Italian design objects, to classic movies or kitchen tools, from special holidays in Italy to beauty products and lingerie, there are plenty of excellent options, as we say "per tutti i gusti e per tutte le tasche", for any kind of specific interest or budget.
Below is a list of possible ideas for a Made in Italy gift available on-line, just to bring a little piece of Italy under your Christmas tree.
1. "My Christmas" songs
First suggestion for a perfect Italian Christmas "regalo" is Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas". Released last year, the album was Italy Magazine 2009 favourite gift idea and is already a must have classic. A heart-warming collection of seasonal favorites including "White Christmas", "Oh Holy Night", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "Jingle Bells", "Silent Night", "The Christmas Song" and "What Child Is This" among others.
View it on Amazon US
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2. 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.
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3. Big Deal on Madonna Street
We could not miss the chance to celebrate great film director and screenwriter Mario Monicelli, who passed away last November at the age of 95.
Monicelli directed some of the most memorable Italian films: “I Soliti Ignoti” [“Big Deal on Madonna Street”, 1958]; “La Grande Guerra” [“The Great War”, 1959]; "I Compagni” [“The Organizer”, 1963] ; “Casanova 70” [1965] and “Amici Miei” [“My Friends”, 1975].
We propose Italian criminal-comedy “Big Deal on Madonna Street”, which is considered to be among the masterpieces of Italian cinema. It is a comedy about a group of small-time thieves who bungle an attempt to burglarize a state-run pawn shop called Monte di Pietà in Rome. The cast includes Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman, Renato Salvatori, Carlo Pisacane, Totò and Claudia Cardinale.
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4. Culinary holidays in Italy
Looking for a once in a lifetime Italian holiday experience? Then, a culinary holiday combining sightseeing, great food, fun sessions in the kitchen and great wine, is the perfect present for you.
Choose between one of the following options: discover South-east Sicily with Lovesicily, take a culinary “Path” around Apulia or enjoy truffle hunting in Umbria with Bianconi.
Visit Lovesicily
Visit Path
Visit Tartufi Bianconi
5. Parlo Italiano
If learning Italian features among your new years’ resolutions, then it is time to book for a language course in Italy. After all, you know that the best way to learn the language is to come to study in Italy. Here are three great options for you:
Visit Madrelingua
Visit Federico II
Visit Scuola Palazzo Malvisi
6. Lingerie "per lui" e "per lei"
Many Italians choose lingerie as gifts for their lovers and friends, this is usually a present to wear at New Years Eve. Here are a couple of Italian lingerie options.
Per Lei (for women) an elegant Italian lace black chemise:
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Per Lui (for men) classic Armani boxer trunk:
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7. Kitchen Tools
Made in Italy kitchen tools are also great gifts. This year we chose a must have for all Italian pasta lovers who can start making their own tagliatelle at home.
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8. 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 and Pupa’s Christmas make-up kit.
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.
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Since 1976 Pupa produces make-up, bath and after bath products and fragrances, but they are especially famous for their creative beauty kits which feature among the top Christmas presents for Italian women. We chose the classic Angel Globe for you and may cupid be with you even under the Christmas tree!
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9. Italy bags
You can also choose one of Italy Magazine bags or mugs as your "Italian" Christmas gift. For example, you could give your friends an Italy mug as a way to announce your intention to take them to Italy in 2011.
Italy Magazine bags.
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!
