Our Top 10 Italian-Inspired Gifts for 2025
As the year draws to a close, Live in Italy Magazine proudly presents our First Annual Holiday Gift Guide Inspired by Italy — a curated celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and creativity. This guide shines a spotlight on small businesses, artisans, and independent creators whose work embodies the essence of Italian living.
From Murano glass and silk artistry to language, literature, and culinary treasures, each featured brand tells a story of passion and purpose. These are not just gifts; they’re experiences — moments that invite you to savor, learn, and dream of Italy. Every selection was chosen to inspire meaningful connection and to bring la dolce vita home for the holidays.
Each page of the digital edition is designed to open beautifully on your laptop or favorite device, complete with direct shopping links to make browsing effortless. You’ll also find each business’s Instagram handle — following and engaging with these creators is a simple yet powerful way to show your support for small enterprises made in or inspired by Italy.
Slow: Easy, Comforting Italian Meals Worth Waiting For by Gennaro Contaldo
Savor the art of slowing down with Slow — the latest cookbook from Italy’s beloved chef and restaurateur Gennaro Contaldo. Featuring over 100 recipes that celebrate the soul of Italian home cooking, from Venetian pot roast to vegan lentil ragù and traditional panettone, this beautifully photographed book captures the heart of cucina povera and the rhythm of Italy’s regional kitchens. Whether simmering a stew or baking a sweet orange-infused babà, Contaldo’s recipes invite readers to cook with patience, simplicity, and joy.
Interlink Books, $35 | www.interlinkbooks.com
The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita by Cathy Whims
From six-time James Beard Award nominee Cathy Whims, chef-owner of Portland’s beloved Nostrana, comes a vibrant celebration of Italy’s sun-drenched season. The Italian Summer Kitchen captures the spirit of cucina povera — the soulful simplicity of fresh produce, handmade pasta, and local ingredients prepared with care. Whims offers inventive recipes for pasta, risotto, meat, fish, and desserts, all designed for home cooks seeking authentic Italian flavor without complexity. Adorned with dreamy watercolor illustrations, this debut cookbook is a beautiful invitation to slow down, savor the season, and bring la dolce vita to your own kitchen.
Countryman Press, $28 | wwnorton.com/books/9781682689189
Napoli on the Road: Classic & Seasonal Recipes for Neapolitan-Style Pizza by Michele Pascarella
From a three-wheel pizza truck to international acclaim, Italian pizzaiolo Michele Pascarella has transformed his passion into an art form. Named Global Pizza Maker of the Year by 50 Top Pizza, Pascarella brings his inventive approach to Napoli on the Road, a collection of 65 seasonally inspired recipes adapted for the home cook. Organized by season, the book highlights the soulful simplicity of Neapolitan cooking — from Speck e Asparago in spring to Gorgonzola e Pera in autumn. Beautiful photography and heartfelt stories from his native Campania capture the heart of Italy’s pizza culture and the artistry behind every slice.
Ryland Peters & Small, $29.99 | bookshop.org
Swim Shady: Stylish, Sustainable Beach Essentials for the Modern Traveler
Lightweight, compact, and undeniably chic, the Swim Shady is redefining what it means to travel light. Designed by founders Jeremy Scott and Elizabeth Afrakoff, this viral beach shade — crafted from sustainable RPET fabric — offers effortless setup and UPF 50+ protection, making it a must-have for Euro-summer 2025 and beyond. Our Editor-in-Chief, Lisa, tested the Swim Shady Beach Bag and Towel on recent trips to St. Martin and St. Barth, where both proved as stylish as they are practical — sand-resistant, quick-drying, and ideal for easy travel. Explore the full collection of travel-ready accessories, designed to elevate every day by the sea.
Swim Shady, prices vary | www.swimshady.com.au
Featured in October’s Top 8 Giveaway
Italian Language Bites by Vera Sarzano
Whether you’re dreaming of Italy or planning your next trip, Italian Language Bites makes learning la dolce lingua fun, approachable, and effective. Written by Vera Sarzano, Italian language coach and co-founder of @chiccheditaliano, this book breaks down grammar and vocabulary into more than 100 bite-sized lessons with over 1,000 translated sentences and 70 pages of exercises. Its friendly, conversational tone helps English speakers of any level gain real fluency and confidence. Recently featured in our Italian Language Bites Giveaway, this 5-star rated guide is a must-have for anyone who wants to connect more deeply with Italy through its beautiful language.
$27.50 | Amazon | a.co/d/6UTvBF8
Wrap Up by Valerie Perez: Luxe Robes that Blend Comfort and Couture
Wrap yourself in luxury this holiday season with Wrap Up by Valerie Perez, a brand celebrated for transforming loungewear into a statement of timeless style. Founded by Valerie Perez, the Los Angeles–based designer with Moroccan roots, the label’s Luxe Robe Collection features ultra-soft microfiber and silk-inspired kimono styles that move effortlessly from spa days to resort evenings. Each robe is made with couture-level craftsmanship and original prints inspired by global destinations, offering the perfect balance of sensuality, comfort, and sophistication. Available at luxury resorts and boutiques including The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Montage, Wrap Up pieces make unforgettable gifts for those who love elegance with ease.
Stay tuned for our December Giveaway, “Cosy Up for the Holidays,” featuring a robe from the Palermo Collection.
Wrap Up by Valerie Perez, prices vary | www.wrapupbyvp.com
The Art of Living Beautifully: My Italian Decor
For over 30 years, My Italian Decor has brought the beauty and craftsmanship of Italy into homes across the United States. Founded by Elisabetta, whose love for Italian design began while living abroad, the brand celebrates the country’s artistry through authentic Murano glass and handcrafted pieces from regions including Venice and Florence.
Every item tells a story of skill and tradition — from handblown glass created on the island of Murano to Florentine leather handbags, carved wood trays, and heirloom-quality home accents. Working directly with artisans, My Italian Decor ensures that each piece bearing the mark Made in Italy truly is, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern elegance.
This season, we’re delighted to feature My Italian Decor’s Murano Blown Glass Millefiori Mosaic Holiday Ornament in Cobalt Blue as part of our Holiday Giveaway. Each ornament is hand-blown by a Murano glass artisan, adorned with individually placed Millefiori mosaic discs, and finished with 24-karat gold for a luminous, regal touch. Whether hung for the holidays or displayed year-round, it embodies the timeless beauty of Italian artistry.
Enjoy 10% off your order with code LiveInIt10 at checkout. All U.S. orders over $50 ship free.
My Italian Decor, prices vary | www.myitaliandecor.com
GIVEAWAY ALERT! Details at the end of this article.
Codice Michelangelo: Le chiavi svelate nell’arte del grande maestro by Alessio Atzeni
In Codice Michelangelo, Italian art historian and artist Alessio Atzeni unlocks centuries-old mysteries hidden in the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Through years of research, Atzeni explores the symbolic and esoteric meanings Michelangelo may have embedded within his masterpieces — messages of forbidden knowledge, spiritual rebellion, and artistic genius. The book invites readers on a fascinating journey into the mystical side of Renaissance art, revealing how one of history’s greatest minds wove philosophy, cabala, and secret codes into paint and stone.
Available only in Italian, this is an ideal read for Italian speakers and art lovers who wish to explore Michelangelo’s genius beyond the surface.
Diarkos Edizioni, €19 | www.diarkos.it | Amazon
The Italian Vineyard by Anita Chapman
Romance, history, and the golden light of Verona come together in The Italian Vineyard, a dual-timeline novel that sweeps readers from pre-war England to the rolling vineyards of northern Italy. When newly single Kate inherits a dusty bottle of wine from her great-grandmother’s cellar, she discovers a family secret that leads her to Verona — and into the arms of possibility. Author Anita Chapman masterfully blends love, loss, and the enduring power of heritage in a story that feels both cinematic and intimate.
A perfect companion for a quiet evening with a cup of tea or a long flight to Italy, this heartwarming read captures the essence of la dolce vita through every page.
Paperback $11.99 | Kindle $3.99 | Amazon
Operatic Elegance: The Opera Line by Clù
Featured at the Met Opera Shop in New York City, The Opera Line by Clù captures the emotion, rhythm, and beauty of opera through hand-painted silk scarves. Each brushstroke is made while listening to beloved arias — transforming sound into color, movement, and texture on 100% Italian silk.
Designer and artist Claudia Palmira translates the passion of Puccini, Mozart, and Verdi into wearable art that feels both intimate and expressive. “Opera enwraps you in the profound moment,” she says. “It carries stories of love and tragedy through songs I have known since childhood.”
Crafted in Rome and finished by skilled artisans, these luminous scarves embody Italian artistry and the lyrical grace of the stage — luxurious pieces meant to be collected, cherished, and worn with feeling.
Stay tuned for our February “Amore Edition” Giveaway, featuring one of Clù’s exquisite designs from The Opera Line.
Clù, prices vary | www.byclu.com
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Shop, Share, Support
We encourage you to explore and share our Holiday Gift Guide Inspired by Italy with friends and family who love Italian culture. Every click, follow, and purchase helps sustain small businesses and artisans while celebrating authentic Italian craftsmanship around the world.
Buon Natale, and happy giving from all of us at Live in Italy Magazine.
Holiday Giveaway: My Italian Decor
We’re celebrating the season with a special Holiday Giveaway from My Italian Decor — featuring a Murano Blown Glass Millefiori Mosaic Holiday Ornament in Cobalt Blue, handcrafted in Murano, Italy.
HOW TO ENTER
Follow @liveinitalymag & @myitaliandecor
Like the giveaway post
Tag a friend who loves to decorate for the holidays
Bonus: Repost the giveaway post to your stories and tag us for an extra entry.
