It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Natale
The Ciao Bella Holiday Gift Guide
The first week of December in Rome is my favorite time of the holiday season. The air is crisp, the crowds thin, and seemingly overnight, fabulous addobbi (decorations) transform boutiques, piazze, and palazzi. During a morning run through the centro storico, I stopped in my tracks at Fendi HQ, awestruck by their floating Christmas ball display—so far, the decoration to beat this year.
And right about now is when I curate my Ciao Bella Holiday Gift Guide, an easy labour of love for trinkets and more that charm my pants off. For 2024, I’ve handpicked nine gifts that celebrate Italian creativity, from heritage ateliers to charming design. Nearly all are made in Italy, and are brands that I not only buy, but I know personally—some even featured on the Ciao Bella podcast, which I’ve included.
Et: I did my best to find links for US vendors, but should they not be useful, just send me a message.
Bialetti Babe
The Bialetti Alpina is the cutest and most useful gift I can think of. It’s true, I love anything by Bialetti and I am going on the assumption that you do too. Forget all about the fancy digital coffee machines, and just go back to the basics Italian colors, perfect for the holidays, and waring a traditional alpine hat.
PS. I just learned that my local torrefazione Caffe Sant’Eustachio (i.e. coffee roasters) are available at Target. Crazy and crazy expensive, but great for a taste of Rome at home.
Stocking Stuffers
Carthusia Dopo Sole. The after sun cream by Capri’s historic perfumer Carthusia makes you smell like you sunbaked in the Blue Grotto.
Gallo socks. There is nothing quite like socks for stocking stuffers. And nothing quite like statement socks made from quality material. In 2027, the Brescia-based company celebrates 100 years of making stockings, socks and other attire for your stems.
Tableau Vivant
La Double J Tablecloth Setting a table is an unappreciated art form, but that hasn’t stopped JJ Martin, Milan’s Patron Saint of Patterns. Her magical world La Double J is a northern Italy dream of vintage Italian prints and made-in-Italy fabrics in clothing, and most importantly homewares! All I want for Christmas this year is a La Double J table cloth.
PS I Love You
Pineider Paper Sets: If there is something I like even more than a letter, it’s writing paper. For over 250 years, Pineider's exquisite paper sets and stationery have charmed royalty and romantics alike—perfect for your favorite analog friend.
Hello, Beautiful!
A few months ago, my friend Gaia gave me this delicious trinket plate by Bitossi Ceramiche, a centuries-old ceramicss and porcelain atelier in Montelupo, Tuscany. Bitossi is best known for its Rimini Blue series, an iconic line created in the 1950s by creative director Alfonso Lodi of whimsical animals, vases, bowls et al in a sumptuous blue glaze. But for the 21st century , they have a very charming collection of cake dishes that have a 1970s Italian disco vibe. I’ve had a harder time finding them outside of Europe, but you can.
Pack It Up
Not Italian, but right now my absolute favorite luggage. Lately, I only travel with carry on bags, but I realize I am not exactly an efficient packer, so my new thing is a great roller with an amazing over-the-shoulder bag. I searched high and low- July does it best with the clam shell stye, My new trick is placing my jacket in the middle.
Double Impact
Every year, I help Darius get the word out about Ancient Rome Live, the free educational platform he created to complement his non-profit American Institute for Roman Culture. This month is the annual fundraiser which has a double impact challenge - every donation of $100 or more will be matched by five champion donors. If you like Ancient Rome, this is the gift that keeps on giving.
