Italian gifts

Fall is really the new year in Italy as people get back in town, schools resume and with them all the Italian rites: dinners out, Sunday lunches at nonni's or parents', parties and presents.

Halloween's vibes in Turin

Like many other people in continental Europe, Italians are very formal and somewhat conformist, the social judgement coexists with Italians being non-judgemental individually... unless it is an issue of good manners, fashion and food! This applies to presents and gift-giving rules too and after all each country and culture has its own rules.

As always, keep in mind that Italy is made up of 20 very diverse regions and customs can vary a lot. However, there are some common points: the average Italian lives in a small apartment and doesn't have much storage room. Also the Italian life-work balance revolves around social life leaving very little time for hobbies compared to other countries.
Finally, as most Italians don't have time and space to devote to a hobby on a regular and consistent basis, they never reach a professional or semi professional level, therefore, they usually buy presents rather than making themselves.

Good and bad faith play also a role in the Italian gift-giving rite because many people just regift those presents they received to other people... hence, gift wrapping is no minor detail in the boot.

First things first, the Italian social rules dictate as a sign of good manners to bring a gift every time you are invited over to somebody's place.

If you are invited over for a meal, you have plenty of choice among many high quality products with the idea that the host(s) will choose whether to share it with you, the giver, or not. If you know the host well, you have even more choice because you may buy something they will love and use, or collect, otherwise Italy is a lucky place with many designers and art objects that Italians always appreciate.

Among friends and family, Italians bring a dessert from a good bakery, a 'caffé pasticceria' with its own production, or if they are REALLY good - again read: professional level - something they made themselves that required many hours, dexterity and commitment. 

So don't be disappointed if when you invite Italians over, they just buy your present and give you wrapped it in the store wrapping paper. It is actually a sign of respect!! 
In fact, typically, Italians invest time and affection in weaving their relationships and devote their free time to catching up with family, friends and the people they do care about. 

As the boot is blessed with amazing weather, not many people have hobbies they pursue with professional commitment. 

Moreover, the cost of living is high compared to the salaries and with inflation, a present bought in a shop or ordered online is still the best option!

Turin's Roman ruines: the Palatine towers between Galleria Umberto I and the Royal Palace

In Italy, store-bought gifts are better quality compared to the rookie productions of occasional amateurs - but especially they are better received because the giftwrap is often a synonym of how much the giver has spent and thought about the recipient.

Clearly, this also implies that when the recipient will return the invitation, they will do the same or invite their guests out to the restaurant. 

Interestingly, whenever possible, Italians have their gifts wrapped in the shop where they purchase them. This is no minor detail as many cultures actually prefer the giver to put in the effort of wrapping their gifts. However, Italians find it convenient to declare where the item was bought and a gift receipt is also included, just in case, the gift needs to be exchanged.
Naturally, in Italy too there are those people who start their Christmas shopping in August or September, or maybe find some random gifts way before the occasions and in that case, well, they will gift wrap themselves and it will be acceptable too.

This is why you can find more and more shops where you can buy gift boxes and bags, but not tissue paper as that's really something Italians don't use... yet.

As you can gather, gift cards aren't popular at all either!
This is probably because Italians consider them just money. Online gift lists are also not as popular because Italians like to prove they did make an effort in finding just that one thing you did need or love. And obviously, they expect you to do the same. 

An online gift list is perceived as 'thoughtless' because in an old-fashioned mentality, you can just buy yourself whatever you like or need but 'I, the giver, wish to give you that one special thing you wouldn't get yourself'.

Fall's marrons glacés a pastry chef delicacy in Turin paired with candied violets

Bottles of wine or whiskey are generally never personally giftwrapped nor include a handmade case or bag that could be reused, and if the giver distilled limoncello or walnut liqueur themselves, they will still generally buy a nice gift bag to make it look professional. 

A common question that often arises at the end of the year and at the end of the school year is what to give the professionals who helped you or your kids.

Traditionally, Italians give their clients, collaborators or vital professionals who made a big contribution to their life a basket of seasonal products that these people can enjoy during the Holidays with their families. 

For example, in Turin, in December, the most famous wine shops and shops selling local specialties prepare boxes and baskets of different sizes containing a selection of local delicacies such as wine, liqueurs, beers, a box of artisan gianduiotti, a pack of cremini chocolates, nougat, some regional cookies, some jars of preserved porcini mushrooms or other vegetable, sometimes even cured meats, evoo bottles, jarms, a special rice (for risotto), dry egg pasta and of course panettone or pandoro.

These Christmas gift boxes are always treasured and kept to be filled with the Christmas tree ornaments, the baskets are used as containers that can be displayed. And if the Christmas present is supposed to be small in size but meaningful, still Italians give a bottle of a good Spumante or bubbly wine or a pricy panettone / pandoro that comes in a collectible metal box.

The Italian elementary school teachers usually receive only one present bought by the parents of the whole class at the end of the school year to show gratitude for their work. No Starbucks gift cards, nor mugs or other chain store cards are given, instead Italians give personal objects like a designer's silk scarf or bag, or a piece of jewelry. 

In all this, cards and hand written notes have almost disappeared as people are just communicating online. So, especially the older generations really appreciate hand written cards and artisan cards. 

nocciolini di Chivasso

We are also always asked what to give your Italian friends and family when visiting Italy. We usually recommend you openly ask if there is anything they wish from your country or area. Sometimes, certain items are not available or very expensive in Italy, yet extremely cheap abroad: make-up, sportswear, skincare, toys, small electronics or cellphone / computer /house gadgets. Typically, to your surprise it's things you would have never thought of giving and when you ask, you'll be given all the details!

If you need to buy something for somebody you don't know well or can't ask what they need / wish for, something formal and local will be very well recived: just remember sport-related things are more for young people, candles are considered a bad omen, and if you can, opt for something they can keep in their house or wear. 

Most of all: your 'ordinary' can turn out to be the most 'unusual' for them 😉  

Palazzo Scaglia di Verrua in Turin

Interestingly, when an Italian is visiting you, this is how they will reason too. So, if they ask you if there's anything they can bring you: don't be shy and let them know what you would like keeping within reasonable price ranges! 

If you don't do it, don't expect candies or cookies, Italians very rarely give candies because they consider it something more appropriate for locals.

In Turin though we are lucky because our royal candy maker Leone makes many cool candies in collectible tins and the chocolate spread in a tube, like a toothpaste but with chocolate spread!

We also love to give artisan candies and chocolate that may spoil during the trip or melt in the summer.

Even though most Italian cookies originated in Piedmont, Italians don't generally give them as a present when traveling because they are brittle, instead we rather give our chocolates, chocolate spreads (our post), wine bottles, dried porcini, hazelnuts, truffle oil (our post) or opt for something else.

As many famous Italian companies and brands are from Piedmont, Turin's wider region, it is always very easy to find some stunning designer's objects or artisan garment. This Alessi (our post), Bialetti (our post), Zegna (our post) and mentally add 20 more local names you have never heard about. 

You can never really be disappointed with the presents Italians will give you!

Photo courtesy of Alessi: officially a wooden spoon rest

As potluck dinners and parties, how to behave and what to bring over, we recommend you always double check with the host(s).

In Italy, these are informal occasions and everyone will be thrilled to try anything from your country. Usually, when you receive an invitation to a potluck dinner, you automatically inquire about what you are supposed to bring and if you already have an idea, feel free to make a suggestion when confirming your participation.

If you have no time / possibility to make anything yourself, you can propose to bring the wine, beer, soft drinks, a cheese / charcuterie board, gelato or a cake.

Italians are very gracious and forgiving, if you don't know, just ask and they will easily direct you.

Flowers or a plant for the host, a famous perfume for the ladies, a good bottle of wine for the men are evergreen ideas among Italians whenever they need something formal and can't ask what to give...

If you are considering moving over to Italy, remember to observe and act accordingly to avoid any faux pas. Once your Italian is good enough, you'll be able to ask for advice and suggestions or confirmations in the shops and everything will be a lot easier.

Most of all, the people close to you, like family, friends, colleagues and those professionals you frequently interact with will love anything from your home country or made by you and they will cherish it forever!

📧Please, email Lucia: turinepi@gmail.com 

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