Marist Italy’s Florence Gift Guide

Buy local when you’re doing your gift-shopping this year!

Shop for Food

• The Florentine has put together an impressive list of food gifts this year including olive oil, coffee, chocolate, cookies, and more, all from shops that ship internationally and have english versions of their websites.  
• Curious Appetite’s Florentine Gourmet Club offers Italian specialty food boxes (prices range from $75-245) mailed around the world intended as gifts or to stock your Italian pantry filled with hard-to-find specialty ingredients (think organic risotto rice from family growers in Tuscany, dried porcini, newly pressed olive oil, panettone, truffles, pecorino cheese, etc) made from small artisanal producers in Italy.  Order a box for your family back home (or yourself)!
• Dolceforte stocks high-end chocolate products, hand-made biscuits, balsamic vinegar, truffle sauces and PGI extra virgin olive oil, all carefully selected from top producers. They take special care to represent companies who prioritize use of environmentally-friendly production methods and locally-sourced ingredients and whose products combine innovation with a strong commitment to passing on the traditional recipes and wholesome flavors of old.
• Torrefazione Caffe’ Magic is a small old school  where you can find all sorts of Italian sweet treats and coffee types! They don’t have a website, but you can find the store in Via Pietrapiana, 63/R.  
• Enoteca Alessi is a wine bar that also offers its customers coffee, tea, chocolate, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pasta, and cookies.  It is located near the duomo, and has been run by the Alessi family since 1952!
• Pegna is a grocery store near the Duomo that has Tuscan specialties as well as specialties from around Italy and beyond.  Besides the incredible choice of products, it is worth a visit for the interior design. Walking through its aisles will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the past, or  a Wes Anderson movie set.
• Bialetti is where you can find all things coffee-related! 

Shop for Florentine Gifts

• Giulio Giannini e Figlio, a bookbinding and art workshop, was founded in 1856 and operates in quality artistic craftsmanship. Their craft is a centuries-old tradition handed down from father to son for six generations. Known internationally for their activity in the book binding sector, they produce hand-marbled papers, patterned papers printed with traditional designs, tickets and special objects upon customers’ request.
• Il Papiro has sorts of stationary, decorated in the traditional Florentine styles!  Head to one of their multiple locations around Florence for paper, notebooks, and various other products. 
• Signum has posters, calendars, bookbinding, cards, and a variety of other interesting and unique items (including a variety of tarot card packs), all with Tuscan or art themes!
• I Disegni di Beatrice has Florence-themed posters, calendars, placemats, and an array of other items, all with art from a recent graduate from the Art Institute of Florence and the Accademia di Belle Arti.  
• Scuola del Cuio was founded after World War II through the collaborative efforts of the Franciscan friars of the Monastery of Santa Croce and the Gori and Casini families, Florentine leather artisans since the 1930’s. Their mission was to give orphans of the war a means to learn a practical trade with which to earn a living. It can be hard to find the best leather shops in Florence, but this one is definitely on that list!

Shop for Art

• Clet’s Studio is the place where you can find some souvenirs based off of the street art around Florence.  Clet is the artist that modifies signs around the city (you can check out a gallery of his work here), and you can find his shop on the corner of Via Dell’Olmo and Via San Niccolò across the river.
• Le Mie Ceramiche offers quality ceramics made by artisans in Florence and Deruta.  Each creation is meticulously handmade and hand-painted to make truly unique pieces! You can find them on Via Giuseppe Verdi 8 Rosso
• Studio G’Art 44 Illustrazioni is a studio led by Nicole Made, a Florentine illustrator, whose illustrations have been transformed into objects of art and design, such as prints, postcards, paintings and notebooks. All the items are produced with high quality materials, individually signed by the artist and produced in limited quantities. For the quality of the goods and the amazing design, the items in this shop are very affordable.
• Jennifer Leo is a Canadian artist and designer from Toronto, Canada. An Alumni of Ontario College of Art and design, Jennifer lives in Florence, and the influence of Tuscan life and culture remains an integral part of her art. She works effortlessly to share her experience and passions in the creative community, and internationally. Her bold, colourful, and abstract works have become a staple of her artistic identity, and they take the viewer on an evocative journey of curiosity and awareness.

Shop for Unique Gifts

• MIO Conceptis a shop in the Piazza Santa Maria novella neighborhood that regularly supports artisans and eco-sustainable products.  You can find handmade art, jewelry, accessories, and other fun and unique items! MIO Concept Store is open every day from Tuesday to Saturday from 3 pm to 7 pm.
• L’Olandese Volante is a shop just up the street from Palazzo le Monnier on Via San Gallo that has a wide array of traditional Dutch foods as well as other foreign foods, specialty cheeses, and chocolates.  The main draw of the store, however, is the massive collection of carefully curated antiques from all over the world, representing a large number of regions, religions, and cultures.  No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something interesting (also, the owner is very helpful and can tell you the history and origin of every item in the shop)!
• Florence Factoryis a concept store that has jewelry, clothing, bags, and accessories from artisans exclusively from Florence and Tuscany.  Florence Factory selects emerging designers, contemporary artisans and historical workshops to create a collection of objects with a high level of design and craftsmanship that can represent the highest meaning of “Made in Italy” and independent artisan products.
• OBO Firenze is the idea of Francesca and Catherine, 2 designers, from Tuscany and Norway.  Shop for unique, Tuscan and Norwegian inspired, minimalist pieces to decorate your home or use in your kitchen.  
• Boutique Nadine is a vintage and independent designer clothing store, but they also have beautiful accessories, most of which are made locally.  Check out their shop along the Arno, near Ponte Vecchio!
• Casseur has a selection of unique jewelry pieces and other accessories that make perfect, personal gifts!

Happy Shopping!