gifts for italian family

Food-wise, you might bring them a jar of real American peanut butter (the American stuff here, when you can find it, is super-expensive, and the Italian brand stuff some stores sell, the Calve brand, looks gross). Or, you might bring a stick of cheddar cheese (if you freeze it, wrap it well in foil and so forth inside your checked luggage, chances are it will be just fine when it gets here; I know people who bring back steak from the States this way). Cheddar is something else you will rarely encounter here, and I have heard some Italians say how much they like it. It's something different than their cheese, anyhow. (Re-reading the above, maybe it sounds lame, but I would love to get a gift like that!! :P ) Non-food-wise, I would think something handmade from your area, for example the area that I am originally from in the States has some really nice Colonial-style ceramics, and a little candy dish or something small like that could be just the thing. I would just go to a local gift shop or market where handicrafts are sold and try to find a nice smallish trinket.

Another idea, a bottle of decent American wine. Since they have so much of their own wine, in most stores here there is just Italian (and some French/Spanish) stuff.

Pains me to say this but ALL things Disney are popular with ANY 8 year old. I often take key chains. Live in LA so Hollywood, Rte 66, LAPD chains very popular and rather practical.

When we visited a couple of years ago, I brought some small picture books featuring scenes from Oregon and gave them to hosts at B&Bs. I also brought some bookmarks with scenes of Oregon, which their children really seemed to like. These items cost little and weighed nothing. You also might consider a tee-shirt from the U.S. as American-insignia items seem to be "hot" here, and so is Disney-Princess merchandise.

We visited several Italian familes on our five month stay. Have to, unfortunately, agree with the Disney comment. Also, Hello Kitty stuff is ridiculously popular. We tried the Calve peanut butter, and it's really similar to the American stuff, so I'd pass on that. Given the difference in cheese, and the amount of cheese available (an ENTIRE 50 foot aisle at the bigger supermarkets), I'd say that the "bring cheddar" idea is a really great idea. Wine...not so much. The Italian stuff is way too good to have to lug American stuff over in your luggage. If you can make it work, which I don't see how you'd do it with ease, the steak idea is very good too...the Italian steak is terrible, and terribly expensive too. We took over calendars with great scenic pictures of our state. Easy to carry, practical, and they seemed to go over well enough. Cheers!

David, funny, I have been here for almost a year now, and to date have only had one bottle of wine that I truly savored (and it sells for €15-€17 in Rome, whereas I can get delicious, quality wines in the States for less than that, and wine here in Italy otherwise is usually more reasonable than in the States). So I guess it comes down to personal taste. Yeah, Italy is really known for its wine and lots of people love it (I am still waiting to find the inexpensive stuff that I really look forward to drinking), but in any case, we do have really good wines in the US and they are different enough that it might be a bit of a novelty for them. And anyhow, it's a nice thought, and that's a big part of a good hospitality gift. There are some other great ideas in this thread! I'm glad, Lynn, that you are thinking of bringing a gift for your hosts, because it is really a lovely tradition and a gracious thing to do. Good luck in finding just the right thing!

When our high school aged son went to France to stay with a family I sent a coffee table book of Colorado that they enjoyed. The second thing that my son wanted to bring was a
Bev Doolittle framed print of the west with native americans in it. My son said they liked that the best, because it was something that was so different for them. He was pleased when the mom in the family hung it on the wall immediately. I think it's a great idea to bring something and they will probably appreciate anything that you take. Have a great trip!

Don't know how much you want to spend. We visit relatives in Italy who bend over backwards for us so I don't mind spending a little more. I'd forget wine. Every time we've done that they seem underwhelmed. For ladies, and even the eight year old girl, check out the Vera Bradley website. Go to the Sale section; it has last years' colors at reduced costs. Also for the eight year old, one of those satiny travel jewelry pouches with lots of compartments that you gather up and tie would be nice. Kitchen stuff is also nice for ladies. For men we've given wool scarves, business card holders, key chains, tee shirts.

Maybe as a small additional token, you could give them a Michigan state quarter.

Fudge? A pasty? Flannel jammies with bears? Little lighthouse figurines? Cherry jam? When you're there, go online to michigan.org. At the bottom of "Quick Links" is "View Our Ads." Show the Italians some Pure Michigan. Those are the best ads!

Thank you, Thank you, for all the ideas, I have taken peanut butter, dried cherries, pecans, to my mother, she loved it! Looking @ Petoskey stone bracelets from my area of michigan...trying to travel light.
looked on the customs sight for Italy, didn't see much for restrictions on normal stuff, no I won't bring any dog hair?!

Hi, I am an American living in Siena and Corvallis, Oregon. The only thing my boyfriend wanted from the States are 501 jeans--you will have to ask for inseam and waist dimensions. Also, he wanted a white t-shirt with an American flag. I also got him some with motorcycles which he loved because he rides one--it is how we met. Just make sure you get them in formfitting sizes because that's how they wear 'em here (and thank God for that) Beth Young

We take our Italian family sports jerseys from the Pittsburgh sports teams. We also have taken playing cards, mugs, etc. from our college/universities. My goal is always to take something small and lightweight and not something edible that could melt. Thy seem to like things with a personal touch from Pittsburhg.

For the 8yos - don't go Disney Princess. All the 8yos in my daughter's class have outgrown that phase. It may be popular in their area, but by that age they also may consider it only for 4yos. If you want to make friends with the girls, go candy. Willy Wonka stuff is sure to be a big hit. Get them each a movie-sized box of Nerds. I'm convinced that no one makes non-chocolate candy better than Americans. Sweet Tarts, Mike & Ikes (and Hot Tamales!), LemonHeads, and oooohhh....I better stop before I make my craving worse.

I agree with finding MI souvenirs. I live close to Mall of America and went to the Minnesota store before my trip earlier this summer and purchased nice cotton kitchen towels with the state flower and MN keyrings with a moose on them. These gifts were really a hit because, of course, they were something unique.