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What Gifts Do Italians Give Each Other?

The tradition of Italian Christmas gifts dates back to the early days of the Roman Empire. Legend has it that Titus Tatius demanded gifts from his subjects on 1 January 700 BC. Titus Tatius was very specific in his demand: he wanted an olive branch or laurel from Goddess Strennia’s sacred woods. Uncoincidentally, the word “strenna” means “gift” in Italian. Later, the giving of gifts was part of the Saturnalia celebration between 17 December and 24 December. 

The tradition of giving meaningful gifts born in ancient Italy remains the same. Italians are certainly creative in giving gifts today—statistics from last Christmas show that each Italian spent EUR 186 on average. Here’s a closer look at some of the more popular choices.

Wine and Food

Italian Christmas gifts can include a bottle of wine, some special cheese, or a fancy charcuterie. The best part is that Italy has plenty of these goods, and they’re often combined in a Dolceterra gift basket with olive oil, pasta, and other treats. Unsurprisingly, wine and food are typical options for any festivity.  

Gifting food to loved ones is a common tradition in nearly every culture. This tradition grew stronger in the Middle Ages, when giving something as valuable as food was seen as a high sign of appreciation.

Art

Italy is home to many of the most important artists in history, including Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and many more. So, it should come as no surprise that handmade arts and crafts are common Italian Christmas gifts.

Indeed, the country has countless artisans dedicated to creating unique gifts, including pottery, ceramics, sculpture, and paintings. Traditional shops, like the Cartoleria Pantheon dal 1910 in Rome, sell unique editions of many books, some of them finely covered with authentic Italian leather.

Jewellery

Food and art may be popular Christmas gifts in Italy, but many people prefer to give something more refined on special occasions. That’s why jewellery is a top option for occasions like graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and Christmas. The country has a long tradition of jewellery-making (especially gold jewellery) dating back to the Etruscans in 700 BC. 

Statistically, Italians spend more on jewellery per capita than the United States. For a population of nearly 58 million people, there are over 20,000 jewellery shops, and the annual consumption of fine gold in the country can be as high as 110 tons. 

Clothing

Fashion is the third-biggest industry in Italy, so it’s no wonder clothing is such a popular gift during Christmas. A wide variety of “homegrown” designers that have international prestige sign not only clothing but also accessories, such as quality handbags. Indeed, Italians love their local designers and artisans.

However, clothing and accessories can also be tricky options. Naturally, clothing from designer shops is much better than what can be found in chain stores. However, not many designer shops allow exchanges or returns. So, to avoid the drama, make sure to get the right Christmas gifts in Italy.