Best gift shopping in Rome, Venice and Florence?

Be sure the items you buy are made in Italy. PRC on the item or tag means it's from China. I like to buy glass and jewelry on the island of Burano, lots of artisan shops there, or in Venice at any store that sells glass (glass miniature animals are nice for kids). I've also brought back a lot of glass pieces that look like wrapped hard candy. Scarves are easy to find in Venice, too. I sometimes get lace bookmarks for friends who still handle actual books.

In Florence, the market in front of San Lorenzo has great leather items (be sure it's made in Florence or in Italy). Leather mousepads? Small purses?

T-shirts are always good.

If your friends like coffee, you can buy tins or packages of it at Caffe Sant'Eustachio in Rome. If any of your friends are Catholic, a small prayer card for the newly canonized Saints John XXIII and John Paul II would probably be appreciated and won't take up much space. Small tins of amaretti cookies, perhaps?

Sometimes I buy bags of candy or chocolate and split it into smaller packages when I get back.

In Florence I liked http://www.signumfirenze.it which is located along the Arno near Ponte Vecchio. I purchased interesting bookmarks and cards. Were they reasonably priced? Don't recall but do recall the smiles on friend's and family's faces when they opened their gifts. In Rome I happened upon this spot by pure chance, Bottega del Mamoraro. It's on Via Margutta, a picturesque "artisan" neighborhood. Might not think there is anything small enough for a gift but there is. Small marble plaques with fun latin sayings AND the place is wonderful, as it's a workshop! There are other great shops along Via Margutta so let the husband be forewarned!

in Venice this past September we didn't have time to make it to the islands for glassblowing but we stopped by Galleria San Marco just behind San Marco. We found it in Rick's books and caught the free demonstration. Afterwards their shop has a ton of items to purchase.

We also stopped by Mauro to see a different type of glass demostration (one similar to what Disney) with more artistic glass charachters and we purchased a duck from him. http://www.maurovianello.com/

Both are on the main island if you aren't able to get to Murano.

In Rome I bought some catholic friends Popeners. They are Pope bottle openers. They were a big hit!

In Venice I bought Pinnoccio wooden marioinettes for my grandkids. (made sure they were made in Italy!) Also a small Carnivale mask. In Florence, like Zoe said, I bought leather belts, and bought my mother in law a beautiful pair of gloves etc. and several leather waste baskets that folded flat and were embossed with the Florence flur di lis (sp?) Also a beautiful letter opener at a paper store (yes, they have those) In Rome I went to Campo di Fiori and bought some delicious "spreads" in small jars at a kiosk. The onion was surprisingly the most delicious! Carefully wrapped in the checked luggage, and they survived! I also bought several rosaries at the Vatican gift shop. The trickiest thing to get home was that Carnivale mask, but it survived! Wrapped it in our dirty clothes, LOL!