CapriAnniversary

I'm visiting an Italian family in the Naples area later this month who are hosting me while I attend a program. I'd like to take a couple appreciation gifts to them, under $50 each that would be something as an Italian mother and her daughter might appreciate. I'm not sure if there are any unique items as Italians who may have lived in the USA might miss when they return home. By way of example, when my wife returned from living in Europe for a year, it was Nutella, which was hard to find until in more recent years. And when she hosted an Austrian girl for a year in the USA, when she returned home, she missed peanut butter. Is there anything, whether a food item or other item as Italian ladies may appreciate as a gift?

Jean

So, they used to live in the U.S.? Have you asked them if there's anything they miss from the U.S.?

FWIW, I wouldn't take food items unless they were specifically requested.

KayF

If you can't think of anything else, a lovely bunch of flowers each would be appreciated, I'm sure. What female doesn't like getting flowers?

Kay

CapriAnniversary

Thank you for the recommendations.

PeaceOut

We brought nice scarves to an Italian family of three women. They loved them. Found great ones at Banana Republic Everyone wears scarves.

nochblad

Do not take scarves! Italy is the capital of silk and other scarves so it is a bit like taking ice to Inuits etc. For the daughter something from Abercrombie & Fitch would probably be very appreciated. For the mother something from Tiffany - the package always looks great even if it is the simplest of things. If your total budget is say $100 maybe the mother could be a bit over $50 and the daughter under. Consider a factory outlet to get the best price they will never know.

geetika

I've found chocolates and flowers are always appreciated, you might also like to take them out to dinner one evening.

nochblad

Do not confuse appreciation with good manners. The OP I believe is looking for something which shows thought rather than Plan B or C.

PeaceOut

Even with scarves available in Italy, our family liked getting ones from the US.

When I visited the family and had dinner with them, I brought a wine chiller/flower vase by Nambe, because it was made in New Mexico.

nochblad

PeaceOut - maybe your family did appreciate the scarves but I would recommend otherwise. The wine chiller/flower vase is certainly a more original gift.

vespacurves

I don't know how well you know the women. I'd be tempted to take unique or adorable cell phone holders.

I disagree with nochblad that scarves wouldn't be appreciated. I've yet to meet the Italian woman who can't use another scarf, either for warmth or accent. But it helps if you how to pick a flattering color for them.

I actually think food gifts, including taking them out to dinner, is not such a great idea. Maybe if the chocolates are exceptional. Most Italians I know have favorite restaurants, most will be embarrassed if you pick up the tab.

In general, my experience of Italians is that they are embarrassed to receive gifts. They would rather give them. So make sure whatever you bring is modest and perhaps useful. An attractive picture frame for the mother. A bracelet for the daughter. I recently saw some funny computer memory flash keys in New York museum shops. Might be nice for the daughter.

Tesana

i'll agree with nochblad on this one, do not buy a scarf UNLESS you are buy a Hermes ! do not insult some one in Italia with "made in China"

i always bring ; from a good local chocolatier , chocolates filled with peanut butter gift wrapped.

Tiffany Bracelet or charm, great idea. !!

Tesana

also, i have brought maple syrup.

vespacurves

I doubt "Made in France" is any more or less insulting than "Made in China." Most of the scarves Italian females buy AND wear in Italy are not designer-label scarves, and many cherished ones are picked up for a song at the open markets. The real problem is that it is tough to pick an article of clothing for someone else.

I wouldn't eat chocolates filled with peanut butter, or serve them to guests. I wouldn't know what to do with a jar of maple syrup in Italy, but maybe somebody else would.

As for Tiffany, I'd hesitate bringing anyone something perceived to be a very expensive gift.

vespacurves

>>What female doesn't like getting flowers?<<

One with allergies?

nochblad

The real thing here is to give a present where first it shows that the giver has put some thought into it and second is something American.

IMO flowers and chocolates do not show sufficient thought. I would consider a scarf boring and a risky choice unless the giver really knows the recipient's fashion style and can find something American which is very suitable. As an illustration of what I mean - if the lady is somewhat bohemian then perhaps something native American could be suitable.

The article should be American - an Italian would NEVER bring a gift which was French, Chinese or from elsewhere.

Re Tiffany - sophisticated Italians know what Tiffany items cost. But the important thing here is that it is American.

Christina

yeah, most people like flowers. I always thought etiquette for houseguests was that they were to bring something that is anonymous, not personal, and general for the house or household, not some personal gift item. Flowers, some foodstuffs (eg, wine, gourmet coffee or cookies), candles, etc. But if this household is solely these women, I guess that makes it different.

Most scarves in the US are made in CHina or India, what is the point of bringing one.

I think it is absurd to assume someone of one nationality must want certain junk food. I'm American and hardly ever eat peanut butter or maple syrup, for example. If you know someone wants something, sure, but to assume you should carry junk food abroad to present as a house gift?

Charms are something only worn by very few women, in my experience. I would not take those.

I think it is difficult to take gifts to someone who you apparently know nothing about in terms of what they might like or want.

This is hard to project, but I have a German friend and when she goes home, what her female relatives want from the US (as it is very expensive there or something, not sure) are some expensive brands of makeup or moisturizer. I think most women might like to try some luxury brand of something different in that regard (not makeup probably, that is too personal and difficult to pick out). Some expensive scented hand lotion or something, any woman can use that. When I come back from Paris, what I sometimes bring as gifts to those who have done favors for me are things like French scented bath soap/gel (not bath oil, but just the soap anyone can use). Anyone can use bath gel, and the foreign label is kind of fun to have. It might not be the same in reverse, but at least that is something that can be used up and that someone won't have to just throw away if they don't like it (like some jewelry or other items).

I wouldn't mind getting some Chanel no. 5 bath gel, for example.

nytraveler

well I don;t think either peanut butter or maple syrup (the real thing - not the sugar water flavored with a drop of maple) are junk food. But I wouldn't expect most Italians to like them (I've never seen a pancake in Italy although I suppose it is possible).

Agree that a house guest usually brings a house gift - not a personal one. What about a coffee table book about your city - or the great national parks or monuments in DC or similar?

Tiffany strikes me as overkill and too personal. And a scarf? who knows what someone would like? Fragrances are dicey - some people are allergic and others can have a wide variety of tastes.

In the US I usually bring wine and chocolates and take the hosts out to a nice dinner one night - unless it's people that I know will LOVE something else (as in something they collect).

suze

Is there anything unique from your home area?? Like here in the Pacific NW I might bring chocolate covered hazelnuts from Oregon, vacuum packed smoked salmon from Alaska, marionberry jam. Maple syrup or candies from Vermont. Etc.

If not that, I do believe that fresh flowers, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or pastries bought locally are always an appropriate 'hostess' gift.

greg

I have recently visited a family whom I knew would spend several days taking me around. The gift thing has gotten harder over the years. In 1990's there were many premium US brands made in America. But now, even formerly iconic US brands are often made somewhere totally outsourced including the quality control = junk. The local products like the ones mentioned by Suze are still made in the US, so I tend to take some of them. Even the Tiffany brand others mentioned are often made outside the US. Look carefully at the country of origin. In the end, I had to be content if the product was not made in the host's country, other European countries that compete in that type of product, or outsourced to countries not known for quality products.