We are going to Italy (Varenna, Verona, Venice, Florence, Pisa, a day in Milan) and Switzerland (St. Gallen to visit friends) for a two weeks this September. Trying to decide what souvenirs to bring back for everyone. Having trouble on what to get for the guys (dads, brothers, my husband's best friend). And we have a 6 month old niece. What do I get her?? For the women I have decided on scarves or bracelets or necklaces. but I'm stumped for the guys. T shirts don't seem the right choice. Please help!
Posted by
1540 posts
we did those same places in July (minus Verona.).......in Varenna I bought some cute ceramic tree ornaments from the artisan in a storefront studio.....would make a nice keepsake for your baby niece (put her name and the year inside with a fine sharpie)......I got some handcrafted wooden magnets in various places as small souvenirs' for male collegues.....im going to link a similar question from another Italian shopper.....https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/what-can-i-bring-home
we saw some small pen and ink drawings? prints? for just a few Euro.....in a frame that would make a nice gift for a man or woman....one friend traveling with me got a very fancy cheese knife for her husband.........
Posted by
pittsburgh
162 posts
Hmmm. First thing I must say is that Ive never been to any part of Italy or Switzerland, so other opinions might be more helpful, but as a guy who travels and likes picking just the right souvenirs for friends....
A nice leather bracelet for the guys too? An embroidered baseball-style cap..what else...any of your friends drinkers? A small bottle of Absinthe from Switzerland would be nice...how about a nice pocketknife? Maybe a nice ballpoint pen? (I mean something nicer than you get in your average souvenir shop). Last idea--a little sportscar a guy could put on his desk or on the table in his man-cave?
As for the child, how about a nice Christmas tree ornament engraved with her name or something like that? I hope I've been helpful.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Italy is heaven for infant and child shopping. You can get bibs or other items macine-embroidered with the child's name or some cute phrase ( I like "gioia di mamma", Mommy's joy). Toys, clothing, ornaments, all good. Pinocchio toys are everywhere.
For women, scarves are great, or small jewelry. There sre lots of artisans who make unique pieces for under €40.
Men: ties (scarf equivalent) are easy to pack.
Men or women: Small leather items, wallets or business card cases?
From Venice, small glass pieces or jewelry.
Bars of olive oil soap, sometimes mixed with floral scents, tor anyone.
Museum gift stores can be good sources - I bought an eraser for a teacher friend that says "to err is human" in Latin.
Make sure that what you buy is made in Italy or Switzerland, not China (PRC tag for Peoples Republic of China if it's not spelled out).
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
Murrano glass jewlery in Venice.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5534 posts
Wouldn't it make more sense to just wait until you get there and see what is available? No need to lock yourself into certain gifts when you won't even know what will appeal to you.
Posted by
752 posts
18 karat Italian Gold from Firenze.
Posted by
1540 posts
2 more thoughts.....get your husband to make the decisions for the men, esp if one is his best friend.
if any of the women do needlework, you can get small kits where they can stitch their own tree ornaments or book marks....kit is smaller than a travel pack of tissues and lightweight