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Ciao Bella Holiday Gift Guide 2022

November 28, 2022

Welcome back to the Ciao Bella Holiday Gift Guide, the time of year when I think about my favorite gifts made in and inspired by Italy. This year’s guide is keeps it simple with five gift ideas guaranteed to bring cheer, color and auguri.

Sultry Slip-Ons

Venetian slips
Piedaterre in Venice

Friulane are my latest fetish. You can where these stylish slip-ons anywhere. I can attest because one evening in Venice after spending 12 hours walking around the Venice Biennale, I needed to give my feet a break but I still had more walking. Serendipitously I stumbled into Campo Santo Stefano to the beautiful boutique Piedaterre whose walls are lined with friulane for every color and fantasy. Yes, I wore them walking all over Venice, and my second pair are my house shoes.

Venetian slippers
Piedaterre’s Friulane

Beautiful Blue Ceramics

I love blue so of course, I have to suggest anything from Bitossi Ceramiche‘s Rimini Blue series. An iconic line created in the 1950s by artistic director Aldo Lodi, Rimini Blue are Londi’s whimsical animals, vases, bowls et al in a sumptuous blue glaze.

Bitossi Ceramic
LONDI ICON

Bitossi collectors, here’s a peek inside its Montelupo museum where designs are showcased since the 1921 opening of Maioliche Artistiche Guido Bitossi. But remember, since 1536, the Bitossi family has had, um, their hands in sculpture, painting and earthenware.

Bitossi museum
Bitossi museum

Pop Art Notebooks

I can never get enough of Olimpia Zagnoli. This year, she teamed up with PdiPigna, Italy’s heritage stationary shop for their line The Italians. Pop art to the max, I love these notebooks and this series which features covers by famous designs like Zagnoli, Enzo Mari and Gio Point (inspired). And I think they make the perfect stocking stuffer.

Pdipigna notebook by Olimpia Zagnoli
The Italians by Olimpia Zagnoli, PdiPigna

Ancient Rome at Home

Darius Arya on Wondrous
Darius goes all over the empire

When I was mentioned to Darius that I was writing a gift guide featuring my colourful faves, he insisted on including entire box set of his latest series Traveling the Roman Empire (Wondrium). Available in DVD and Instant Video.

In eight episodes, Darius travels to amazing places in antiquity – Rome, Morocco, Jordan, Serbia, Croatia and Spain and places them in today’s context.And he also rides a horse named Barbara, dives for wine in Croatia and explores Marrakech’s markets.

Delicious Panettone

You know I can’t write a holiday gift guide without celebrating panettone, the magical Milanese Christmas cake.

Panettone from Roy
Slice of panettone life from Roy

A Very Gucci Christmas

Top of my list these days is the special panetone found at Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills.This year, Gucci Osteria teamed up with master panettone makers From Roy, led by Roy Shvartzapel for two delicious confections: the traditional and one with amarena cherries, chocolate, and whole hazelnuts. At $160, this panettone is better be good and Gucci. Of course, it’s a limited edition with a tin in Gucci floral that you’re going to want to keep.

Gucci Pannetone
Gucci osteria’s limited edition panettone

Panettone Perfection

A delicious panettone is worth every euro and tops for quality, price and history is Olivieri The award-winning bakery in Vicenza has been perfecting panettone for 130 years. Light, crunchy and fresh, Olivieri never fails to wow. I always get classic but I’m curious about the sea salt and caramel. Available for international order, delivering within 24-48 hours.

Panettone in Italy
Olivieri’s classic

Need more gift ideas?

Check out The Coolest Gifts for Art-Inspired Travels, my Holiday Gift Guide for Forbes Travel.

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