The female half of the ocuple we were just on a trip with sepnt the whole time buying gifts for people back home, and boy did it get tiresome! She had bags full by the end of the first day. One or two special little things for special people I can understand, but why would the guy who sits next to you on the bus each day want, or even expect, a hat or fridge magnet from a place he's never been, from someone with whom he has at best a casual acquaintance? And why would someone give up precious sightseeing time to buy tacky touristy items? (And then imply that I'm lacking somehow because I didn't want to do the same? I got little things - NICE little things - for my family, and that's it).

My sister did for her coworkers what lots of you have suggested - a big tin of individually-wrapped English toffees was put out for people to help themselves. Once the tin was empty, it was put to use as a storage tin in the staff room. Easy and sensible.

Little bottles of limoncello or lemon-scented soaps from Sorrento area. Or chocolate candy with limoncello filling.

Small boxes of Florentine note cards, etc., for friends for whom you might spend a bit more.

Thanks for a very enlightening thread. When I asked my question above (post #2) I was sincerely asking what this custom is all about.

As I mentioned I've traveled with people who spent half their time looking for various "souvenirs" like refrigerator magnets with the name of the town or attraction that couldn't possibly mean anything to someone who hadn't been there, or "MIND THE GAP" t-shirts which wouldn't mean anything to someone who hadn't been to the UK. I just never got the idea of why people think their friends would enjoy such things. And later these friends have said to me "I don't know how you can afford to go to London. It cost us a fortune". Well, yea, duh, because they spent hundreds of dollars taking back "junk" to everyone they knew.

But I like this idea of food stuffs -- sharing special chocolates for example from somewhere you've been. That all makes sense to me. I just picture people all over the country having to pull out the ashtray that says "Ashes of Pompeii" whenever the giver comes over to their house. Or the office worker making a point of sometimes wearing the silly earrings she hates that are in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, and the giver proudly saying, "oh, I'm so glad you liked them!"

one thing i did last year for the lady that took care of my work for the two weeks that i was gone in Spain-- I bought a shawl (manton) which i thought would be nice than something to stick on the fridge etc...One thing im planning this year, instead of spending time buying stuff, ill just give some close friends blowups of some of my pictures that i will be taking...

Only ever bring sweets or biscuits...anything else is too personal and then they feel obligated to bring gifts as well back from their holidays. Sweets/cococ and unusual cookies will always go down well.

I usually bring back chocolates or something similar to be shared at the office if I have taken a long vacation, as people have had to "back me up". If they are coffee drinkers, a nice bag of coffee is a good gift too. (The good thing about food stuffs is that you don't have to worry about exact count of co-workers, they can all share. And often things can picked up at or near the airport, so you don't have to lug them around all vacation!)
I also bring back "stocking stuffer" type gifts for family, they always get a kick out of gifts from another country. From Italy we brought back small bottles of Limoncello (some in fun bottles), wine from Tuscany, small pottery pieces, beautiful Florentine note cards, and I postcard of the butt of Michelangelo's David for my BIL!
Have fun!
Some people actually enjoy a little shopping during their trips, you never know what you'll discover!!

I purchased small beaded bracelets for my sisters and close friends in Capri for only 9 euros each. Another thing I saw a lot of was the wine bottle toppers which are also small and easy to pack.

Gwenjo,
This week I have been "gift" shopping with my stepmother in Florence. She had 23 peope she wanted to buy for, mostly co-workers at San Lorenzo. She found pen's 10 for 14 euro. Also, there are shops around town that have very small leather handbags from 10 euro up. She also purchased a couple of nice money clips that had a space to keep credit cards or id separately and some nice coiled metal hair clips. San Lorenzo is a great place for this sort of buying.

You can also get great wool scarves for 10-20 euro.
Usually, her office keeps travel gifts under a couple of dollars: pens, key chains...

If you are returning home from Rome I would suggest the Duty Free Store(by the gates) at the FCO airport. They have a package of individually wrapped/assorted types of chocolate (ie. chocolate with orange,cream,etc.)that is called TORRONCINI. It is made by a company called Sorelle Nurzia that began in 1835 and is Rome's favorite. There are about 20 pieces in each box and the price is about 8 Euros-but on sale this month for cheaper.I think that a couple boxes of these are great as everyone can pick and chose and YOU can decide how much you want to spend.If you don't want to go that route but are keeping in mind 13 people-I would also do something from the grocery store like special "jarred" pesto,wines,shelled hazelnuts,expresso coffee ,etc.and other things that you cannot always find in the states.Just a suggestion-my Christmas gift to friends/neighbors last year was:
a fisherman net type Paris shopping bag(from Monoprix) holding pesto,dried porcini mushrooms and hazelnuts from Italy;liquor chocolates from Germany along with a musical cookie box from Germany:and canned pate and a bottle of Cote de Rhone from France!Food is really a great gift-the leather stuff from Florence is wonderful but can add up when you start buying everyone something. Treat yourself to a jacket instead? Have fun!

I like your style, dutyfree. I too have used the net shopping bags to put presents into because security will unwrap something they can't see.

I like to bring small gifts to the three people who work for me--trivets from Stockholm, spices from Grenada, Christmas ornaments from Alaska, etc.

We use travel as an opportunity to do some of our holiday and birthday shopping--we have the fun of doing a little shopping, but don't feel like we're spending any extra money, because we would buy holiday and birthday presents for those people anyway.

in Spain i bought some lovely fans for some of my female coworkers, didnt cost much at all and all were very happy.

In the Straw Market of Florence, you can purchase change purses, lipstick cases, mirrors all of the lovely worked leather. Also in florence, that beautiful stationary- cards and envelopes, gift tags, etc. Also something that can be inexpensive depending on the size are what are affectionately known as "puking chickens." These are pitchers,where there are filled through the head, and pour trough the spout. Each region paints them, decorates them in the regional designs.

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http://www.calendarioromano.co.uk/

Above website may not be exactly what you have in mind for co-workers, however a calendar is a good gift idea.