International Gift Basket Shipping to Italy
Italy is the land of Pisa, pizza, pasta, and passionate people. Italy is filled with captivating museums, stunning architecture, idyllic scenery, and bustling cities. From fashion runways to sleepy coastal cities, there are beautifully diverse cultures and captivating sites around every corner. It’s no wonder that so many people flock to visit this country every year. Making lasting memories, friendships, and business connections.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Italy to send your friends, family, and colleagues a gift. Our catalog is filled with stunning gifts to surprise your loved ones between visits. From delicious tea and coffee gifts to soothing spa gift sets, you’ll find something for everyone and every occasion. If you need some advice about what to send and when to send it, just keep on reading!
When Should I Send Gifts to Italy?
Italians are no strangers to celebrating throughout the holidays but receiving gifts can be done throughout the year. But just in case you’re a bit nervous about sending your Italian friend a gift out of the blue, here is a list of popular holidays that are celebrated in Italy. Italy is a diverse country made up of many different cultures and religions, so these holidays are in 4 sections: Public, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.
Holidays Observed in Italy
Public Holidays in Italy
- Capodanno (New Year’s Day) — January 1
- Epifania (Epiphany)
- Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day) April 25
- Festa del lavoro (Labor Day) — May 1
- Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day)
- Assunzione della Vergine/Ferragosto (Assumption of the Virgin)
- Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception)
- Natale (Christmas Day) — December 25
- Santo Stefano — December 26
Christian Holidays in Italy
Special Holiday Traditions in Italy
In Italy, you can expect holiday traditions all year round! Italy’s long history and blend of culture have made for many unique celebrations and holiday traditions. You’ll find the holiday celebrations in Italy are filled with food, family, and fun! Below you’ll find a peek into just a few of the holiday traditions Italians enjoy. Gift baskets to Italy don’t have to be sent around the holidays, but it does make them extra special.
- Scoppio del Carro — Literally translates to “explosion of the cart.” This folk tradition is held on Easter Sunday in the famous square Piazza del Duomo. There, you’ll see the Cardinal of Florence lighting a wire that sets off the fireworks inside the 30-foot antique cart that will then last up to 20 minutes! This illuminating display of grandeur is said to bring promise of a great harvest for the year.
- Epiphany and La Befana — On Epiphany Eve, right before January 6th, you will find children receiving gifts of sweets or coal from older women, otherwise known as the Befana. The Befana are similar to the North American version of Santa Claus. The next day, you will find the streets filled with colorful parades of people dressed in Renaissance costumes to honor the three Wise Men’s arrival.
- Christmas — Just like any other country, Italians love to celebrate Christmas and have their own traditions for it as well. On Christmas Eve, no meat is served or eaten but seafood instead as their main source of protein. If in Rome, you might find yourself on a trip to the Vatican around 10 pm to attend mass with the Pope. However, if the family is not religious, you can expect to find them skiing their way straight into Christmas in Northern Italy. And in certain cities, including Rome, you will most likely hear the sound of bagpipes in the town squares to represent the shepherds from the Nativity scene.
How Are Birthdays Celebrated in Italy?
Birthdays in Italy are every bit as fun as you would expect them to be! One great thing you won’t need to worry about is running to the store last-minute to get them a card. Thankfully, cards aren’t a big deal in Italy, so be sure to focus more on the gift you bring or send instead! Many people choose to have their birthday dinners at home, rather than going out. It’s common to cook family-style on birthdays and bring a cake from a local bakery. Surprising your friends and family with international gift baskets to Italy on their birthday is just the way to stay in touch and win some brownie points.
Everything You Need to Know About Sending Corporate Gifts to Italy
Sending a corporate gift to a business partner in Italy or even a potential one should not be seen as scary but as an exciting prospect. The guidelines for doing so are fairly simple. Gifts are generally expected at social events to show your gratitude for being invited. Expect them to be opened as soon as they are received. For those occasions, an odd number of flowers or a pretty box of chocolates will be the perfect small gift to bring.
However, if you are not physically in Italy but still wish to send a business gift, consider something that represents your country. Keep it small, well-thought-out, and not obviously expensive to whoever you are giving it to, but make sure it is from a well-respected brand. To make sure your gift goes over well, be sure to avoid a few simple things, such as wrapping your gift in black, gold, or purple, as these are for funerals and mourning. On that topic, avoid handkerchiefs and brooches because they are also associated with funerals.
Try not to have your company’s logo branded all over the gift, as this can be considered poor taste. And above all else, avoid sharp objects as these could be taken as you wanted your relationship with the person to be severed. Following these guidelines, you should have no trouble at all coming up with the perfect gift to send to your Italian business associates!
Love 101: Choosing Romantic Gifts to Italy
Italy tops the charts as one of the most romantic countries in the world. The people of Italy are not shy about showing affection, and spoiling your love is highly encouraged. Luckily, sending a romantic gift to Italy is simple! Surprising your partner with thoughtful gestures will go a long way toward adding a few sparks to your relationship. Sending flowers to your special someone, no matter their gender is a welcome romantic surprise. But you should take care to send extra extravagant gifts for Valentine’s Day and your Anniversary.
How to Write the Address for Delivery to Italy
Rest assured that writing an address for delivering a gift to Italy is simple. Ensuring the address is complete simply means following a very simple format that we’ve listed below:
- Recipient name
- Company name (if applicable)
- Building name, floor number, and apartment or suite number (if applicable)
- Street and house number
- Postal code, city, and province code (2-digit abbreviation for the province)
- Country
So a complete address for delivery to Italy will look something like this:
Gina Russo
Floor 3 Apartment B
Via Rosa 2245
00042 Rome RM
Italy
Other Gift-Giving Etiquette You Should Know
- During social events, expressing your thanks with a gift is typically expected.
- A gift of flowers and chocolates is the perfect gift for any secretary.
- Chrysanthemums are reserved for funerals, and red roses are for romantic gifts.
- Never send an even number of flowers to someone in Italy.
- If you decide to send a Christmas card to business associates, make sure they receive them at least a week in advance.
- Gifts wrapped in purple symbolize bad luck and should be avoided.
FAQ
What is your refund policy for gift baskets?
Please review our Cancellation & Refund Policy for more details.
Can I add a personal message or greeting card to my order?
In short — yes! To learn how, please view our walkthrough video.
How do you send gift baskets to Italy?
To learn more about our ordering process and how to send a gift to Italy, please view our tutorial.
Can you send alcohol to Italy?
Yes, you can! Please be mindful that your recipient will need to be of legal drinking age in Italy.
Do the gifts to Italy have tax from customs included?
The prices for each gift include everything but our shipping fee. Our gifts to Italy do not go through customs and so there are no taxes from customs to worry about.
How long does Italian gift delivery take?
Delivery to Italy takes 2 to 4 business days. The earliest possible delivery window is at the top of the page.
I need a last minute gift to Italy faster than you’re offering. Can you help?
Absolutely! You can send an e-gift certificate in minutes or check out or GiftyLink service.