One of the things I look forward to most on vacation is searching for gifts for friends and family. There is much to be learned about a country’s culture through its art, history, cuisine, sartorial aesthetic, and even its weather and these subjects play a significant role in my ‘treasure hunting’.

My family and I recently travelled to Rome, Florence and the Tuscan countryside and there were treasures to be found around every corner. Some were free (the bewitching Trevi Fountain); some happily paid for (Florentine splatterware dishes).

I skipped the ubiquitous tourist tat (apart from a good magnet) and made way for a village antiques store in all its ramshackle splendour, shopped culinary delights in a 19th century-old supermarket and sniffed my way around a niche boutique of intoxicating handmade soaps and fragrances.

I also wanted to kick myself as I spotted a grand confectionery store with beautiful candied fruits that looked like jewels, just as we were leaving for the airport..oh what wonderful stocking stuffers they would have made for my young boys!

The Most Wonderful Christmas Gift Guide Ever

Here is a list of the gifts I purchased during this magical trip (many of them are also available online if visiting Italy is not an option) and I hope it inspires you to think outside the box this Christmas. After all, what could be better than saying ‘Merry Christmas, I love you’ with a treasure you sought from afar?

-Splatterware dishes (serving bowls)..if these particular dishes aren’t your style, look for other Tuscan made ceramics that suit the style of the recipient

-Gourmet treats (limoncello, vin santo Venchi chocolates with their jewel-like wrappers, cantuccini, dried pasta, Gilli fruit candies)

-Babington’s tea  

-Antique glasses or other items

-Anything from Santa Maria Novella (their beautiful soaps or potpourri with a small budget or one their perfumes on a larger budget)

Classic kids clothing (for the grandkids..Baroni)

-Linens (guest towels for the bathroom, tea towels)

-Stationery (marbled paper, notecards with hand-painted motifs