The Best Gifts To Bring To Italy From The U.S. – Gifts Italians Will Love
Italians are known for their hospitality and generosity as hosts and gift-givers. Bringing a gift, such as a cake, pastries, or wine, when invited to someone’s home is customary. When our Italian friends come to the States, they never arrive empty-handed.
When traveling to Italy, however, we often struggle to find appropriate gifts for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Our friends who travel often ask us for suggestions, too.
Finding appropriate gifts can be challenging, especially with baggage restrictions. It’s important to consider the gift’s size, weight, and packability, as well as the recipient’s age, interests, and lifestyle.
Some gift givers opt to bring a food item typical of their hometown (e.g., handmade candies or fruit preserves) or their state, such as maple syrup from Vermont, cheddar cheese from Wisconsin, salmon from Alaska or Bourbon from Kentucky. However, some foods and liquors can be challenging to pack and/or carry.
Ultimately, the thoughtfulness behind the gift is more important than its monetary value.
Note: Gifts to Avoid Bringing to Italians
We generally avoid bringing gift items that Italy is well known for in terms of their quality and/or design.
For example, we wouldn’t bring Gucci silk scarves, Hermes ties, Italian wine, coffee, or leather goods, although we might bring a box of Ghirardelli chocolates or colorful M&Ms if they have kids or grandkids. Many items from the U.S. are readily available in Italy, but bringing something Italian is like bringing coals to Newcastle. One of my Italian friends particularly likes reading English-language books.
With some imagination, you can find a gift to suit every recipient. This post was inspired as we prepare for a trip. These are some of our favorite gifts to bring to Italy.
If you fail to plan ahead, you can always bring a box of nicely wrapped Italian pastries that you pick up after you arrive.
Best Unique Gifts To Bring To Italy
Reusable Tote Bags
Europeans, including Italians, are increasingly concerned about sustainability. These recycled Loqi bags are durable, reusable and handy for marketing or carrying home other store purchases. They fold up into a small pouch that can fit anywhere, so you always have one with you. Because we live in New York, we usually purchase ones that feature the city’s iconic sites but come in many designs and colors. They are lightweight, small and compact enough to tuck into any suitcase.
City Totes
A canvas tote bag is always helpful at home or when traveling and these are less expensive than the one shown above.
These colorful totes are perfect for New Yorkers to bring to Italy. You’re also in luck if you live in Chicago or Seattle. They come in sets of 6 and 9, depending on how many you want to bring on your trip. We love that they are so lightweight and take up almost no space in your suitcase. If you don’t gift them all, you can always use them yourself:-).
Trendy Electronic Gadgets
Electronics tend to be more expensive in Italy, so Italians appreciate them as gifts. But you always need to be cautious about voltage and the type of plug it has (which may require an adapter). One gift that our friend liked was the Aqua Vault Wireless Charge Card, a portable power bank for smartphones. It’s compatible with Apple and Android phones and requires no cables. It is the thinnest on the market, weighing 2.3 ounces.
A Hand Embroidered Pillow From Your State
Made in a large 20×20 size, these stunning pillows are hand-drawn and hand-embroidered by artisans who sign each one on their tag. Beautifully finished with black velvet piping, they create a memory celebrating your hometown. Made by Catstudio, they are a meaningful momento of your visit. They are also a great “going home” gift to an Italian friend or relative who recently visited you.
American Apparel Brands
Ralph Lauren socks are an easy-to-pack, inexpensive gift. Although made in Korea, they have a recognizable American designer label. This three-pack of cotton Men’s Argyle trouser socks is a tasteful choice. With socks, you usually don’t have to worry too much about size; everyone also seems to need new ones.
After I published this piece, a colleague informed me that Italian men tend to prefer longer socks. However, perhaps it’s a regional phenomenon unique to people from the Veneto region.:-)
College Sweatshirts and Hoodies
Teens and young adults love sweatshirts or hoodies either from a university in your home state or any of the popular Ivys. They are forgiving in size, lightweight, and packable.
They are available online or if you live close to one, are available at college bookstores.
New York Keychains (or ones from Your Hometown)
I purchased this package of a dozen assorted keychains to give to taxi drivers, waiters and hotel staff, and they seemed to love them. Clearly, Italians love New York as much as we do.
Given the reasonable price of the keychains, I was pleasantly surprised with their quality. Each one was individually wrapped in cellophane with a gold tie. Giving them out made me feel like Santa Claus.
Tabasco Hot Sauce Gift Box
Many Italians associate hot sauces with America, and hot sauce can be hard to find in Italy, especially in the North.
This Tabasco Gift Box includes five 5-oz bottles with different varieties of hot sauce that can be used on eggs, meats and even on pizza.
Mike’s Hot Honey
This condiment has taken America by storm, popular on everything. It’s inexpensive, doesn’t need refrigeration, and makes a great addition to charcuterie boards.
A little bit goes a long way, and each time your friend uses it, they’ll have memories of you. By the way, it’s made in America (Brooklyn, New York)
U.S. Team Sports Paraphernalia
Many Italians follow American baseball or football teams. A licensed replica baseball hat embroidered with the logo of their favorite sports team is popular with men and boys.
Destination Cosmetic Bags
Women can always use one more pouch to travel or stash things at home. Several companies make cosmetic bags that are printed with state or city logos. If your gift recipient spent some time in one of these locales, they’ll love these souvenir bags.
Pretty U.S. Dish Towels
If you are lucky enough to live in a state that has garnered a hand-drawn dish towel, your host will think of you whenever they do the dishes. This Minnesota towel (and others) is part of the maker’s Geography collection. And dish towels are so easy to pack for travel!
Puzzles of the U.S.A. for Kids
Parents appreciate these educational puzzles as much as their kids. The colorful one shown has all 50 states with the names of their capitals and is geared to kids from 4-6, and there are puzzles geared to different age levels, too.
Books about Americans
Whether the subject is an inventor, an innovator, a celebrity, or a President, books are a thoughtful gift for children and teens. Because Italians follow American politics and entertainment, a newly released biography is also an appreciated gift for adults who read English (or want to improve their English). Books by American authors are also a good choice. This illustrated Taylor Swift Little Golden Book biography of the superstar could be enjoyed by too-young-to-go-to-a-concert preschool to third grade kids.
Local or Regional Food Products
If there is a small producer of jams or jellies in your town, Italians will appreciate savoring a taste of your community. You can also gift some typically iconic American food products. For example, Jelly Belly jelly beans won’t melt in summer and come packaged in cute gift boxes. M&Ms is another popular Made in America brand.
For more ideas on great gifts to bring to Italy from the U.S., check out one of the many Reddit threads on the topic.
NOTE: Be sure to put any liquids in your packed luggage so they don’t get confiscated by TSA. These reusable bubble sleeves are a lifesaver; you can also use them to bring wine, olive oil, or Italian condiments home to the U.S.
And if you need a last-minute gift after you land in Italy, stop by a pastry shop or flower market.
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Last updated 7/28/26
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