For a Christmas gift to Italy, food and drink are always a safe choice: a basket with panettone, Italian wine, chocolate, or pasta reflects how Italians actually celebrate the season. Quality matters more than size. Walwater Gifts delivers Christmas gift baskets with a printed card to homes across Italy, including Rome, Milan, Naples, and Florence, with standard and express delivery options.
Christmas in Italy is a season built around family, food, and tradition, from the Nativity scene in the living room to the panettone on the table. Sending a gift from abroad is a warm way to be part of that, even from a distance. This page covers Italian Christmas traditions, what to send, and how delivery works.
Key Takeaways
- Quality over quantity: a well-chosen gift basket with good food or wine makes a bigger impression than something large or flashy.
- Food and drink are always welcome: panettone or pandoro, wine or prosecco, and Italian chocolate are classic, dependable choices.
- Gift-giving timing varies by family: some open presents on Christmas Day, December 25, others wait for Epiphany, January 6.
- A few figures bring the gifts: Babbo Natale (Italy’s Santa Claus) and La Befana, who brings treats to children on Epiphany, are both part of the tradition.
- Business gifting is common: companies often send high-end gift baskets to clients and partners at year-end.
- Delivery coverage: Walwater Gifts delivers to Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence, Bologna, and many other Italian cities and towns.
- No customs charges within the EU: since Italy is an EU member state and orders ship from within the EU, recipients do not pay customs duty on delivery.
- Availability can vary: specific baskets and delivery windows depend on the season and product, so check the product page before ordering, especially close to the holidays.
Italian Christmas Traditions
Christmas in Italy, known as Natale, is a family-centered, food-focused celebration that runs from Christmas Eve, La Vigilia di Natale, through to Epiphany on January 6.
- Nativity scenes (presepe). In many parts of Italy, a nativity scene is even more central to home decoration than a Christmas tree.
- Christmas Eve. Many families avoid heavy meat or dairy dishes on La Vigilia, favoring a lighter meal, often built around fish or seafood, before attending Midnight Mass.
- Panettone and pandoro. These traditional holiday cakes appear on nearly every table after Midnight Mass, often paired with a warm drink.
- Christmas markets. Cities including Florence, Verona, Bologna, Trento, and Aosta host markets known for local food, crafts, and mulled wine.
- Gift-giving. Presents are typically exchanged on Christmas Day, though some families wait for Epiphany, January 6, to mark the visit of the Magi.
Saying “Buon Natale!” is the simple, warm way to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Italian.
Who Brings the Gifts in Italy
A few figures are associated with Christmas gift-giving in Italy, and which one a family follows often depends on region and tradition.
- Babbo Natale. Italy’s version of Santa Claus, and the most widely recognized gift-giver today.
- La Befana. A kind, broom-riding figure who brings small treats to children on the eve of Epiphany, January 6.
- Gesù Bambino. In religious households, the Christ child is regarded as the source of the season’s gifts.
Because of this mix of traditions, the gift-giving season in Italy can stretch from Christmas Eve all the way to Epiphany, which is worth keeping in mind if you are deciding when to send something.
What to Send: Christmas Gift Ideas for Italy
Since Italians tend to value quality and genuine flavor over size, a well-chosen food or drink basket is almost always a safe choice.
Pasta and gourmet hampers. Baskets built around Italian pasta, olive oil, and sauces reflect the food-first spirit of an Italian Christmas table. Options such as a Christmas pasta hamper or an Italian wine and gourmet set are available in our Christmas Gift Baskets to Italy collection.
Wine and prosecco. A bottle of good wine is one of the most traditional Christmas gifts in Italy, often brought along to a family dinner.
Chocolate and sweets. Italian chocolate and holiday cookies are always well received, for family, friends, or coworkers.
Alcohol-free options. For recipients who prefer not to drink, our non-alcoholic gift baskets pair well with coffee, tea, or sweets for the same festive effect.
Browse the full Christmas collection for more seasonal options, where availability can shift closer to the holidays.
Choosing the Right Christmas Gift
The table below compares common Christmas gift styles for Italy.
Gift Style | Best Suited For | Notes |
Pasta or gourmet hamper | Family gatherings, sharing at the table | Reflects the food-centered spirit of an Italian Christmas |
Wine or prosecco set | Adult recipients, dinner guests | A traditional gift to bring to a Christmas meal |
Chocolate or sweets box | Any recipient, including coworkers and children | A dependable, widely appreciated choice |
Alcohol-free basket | Recipients who do not drink | Coffee, tea, and sweets make a festive alternative |
Corporate Christmas basket | Clients, partners, and employees | Keep branding modest; order ahead of the holiday rush |
How to Send a Christmas Gift to Italy
- Choose a gift. A food or drink basket built around pasta, wine, or chocolate suits most Italian households.
- Write your message. We print it on a card and include it with the basket; keep it warm and short.
- Enter the delivery address and Italian phone number. Accurate details help the courier complete delivery on schedule, especially during the busy holiday period.
- Choose standard or express shipping. Order with extra lead time around Christmas, since this is a peak period; check the product page for the current delivery window.
- Place the order. We pack the basket by hand and hand it to the courier, with tracking updates as it moves.
Delivery to Italy: What to Expect
- Business-day delivery. Couriers deliver on business days, with tracking provided throughout.
- Standard and express options. Availability depends on the product and destination city; choose express if your date is tight, particularly during the holiday season.
- Address details. Use a full street address and the recipient’s Italian phone number so someone can be reached to sign, especially for orders containing alcohol.
- Italy is an EU member state, and Walwater Gifts ships from within the EU, so orders move EU to EU and recipients do not pay customs duty.
We deliver across Italy, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Palermo, Verona, and many smaller towns. See the full Christmas Gift Baskets to Italy page for more on seasonal delivery.
Business and Corporate Christmas Gifts
Sending Christmas gift baskets to clients, partners, or employees is a well-established year-end custom in Italy. Keep branding understated and the message brief. See our corporate gift baskets to Italy page if you want to include a company logo or message, and order ahead, since the holiday period is a busy time for delivery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing something large or flashy over something well made. Quality matters more than size in Italian gift-giving.
- Ordering too close to Christmas without checking delivery windows, since this is the busiest period of the year.
- Sending alcohol without confirming someone will be available to sign for the delivery.
- Forgetting that gift-giving in some Italian families happens on Epiphany rather than Christmas Day.
- Leaving out the recipient’s phone number, which can slow delivery.
How Walwater Gifts Can Help
Walwater Gifts delivers gift baskets and hampers to recipients across Europe, including Italy, for customers ordering from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Europe, and other countries. With more than ten years of experience, we put together Christmas gift baskets by hand, from pasta hampers to wine and chocolate sets, alongside our wider range of personal, corporate, and seasonal gifts across 25 European countries. Every order includes a personalized message printed on a card. Gift choices and delivery options may depend on the destination and season, so check the product page before ordering, especially close to the holidays. Browse our full range at sendgiftsineurope.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a Christmas gift to Italy from another country?
Yes. Walwater Gifts accepts orders from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Europe, and other countries for delivery across Italy. Choose a basket, add a message, and provide the recipient’s address and phone number.
What do people usually give for Christmas in Italy?
Food and drink are the most common gifts: panettone or pandoro, wine or prosecco, and Italian chocolate are all classic choices. Handmade items and regional food are also popular.
Is Christmas celebrated on December 25 or January 6 in Italy?
Both dates matter. Many families exchange gifts on Christmas Day, December 25, while others wait for Epiphany, January 6, which marks the visit of the Magi and is when La Befana brings treats to children.
Who is La Befana?
La Befana is a folklore figure who brings small gifts and sweets to children on the eve of Epiphany, January 6. She is a well-known part of the Italian Christmas season alongside Babbo Natale.
What should I avoid sending as a Christmas gift to Italy?
Very large or flashy gifts tend to feel less appropriate than something well chosen. A thoughtful, good-quality food or drink basket is generally a safer choice than size or spectacle.
Will my recipient in Italy have to pay customs fees?
No. Italy is an EU member state, and Walwater Gifts ships from within the EU, so the delivery moves EU to EU and the recipient does not pay customs duty.
How long does delivery take to Italy at Christmas?
Delivery runs on business days with standard and express options, but the holiday period is the busiest time of year, so ordering with extra lead time is recommended. Check the specific delivery window on the product page.
Which cities in Italy do you deliver to?
We deliver nationwide, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence, Bologna, Venice, Palermo, Verona, and many smaller towns.
Can I send a Christmas gift basket with wine to Italy?
Yes, wine and prosecco sets are among the most traditional Christmas gifts in Italy. An adult may need to sign for the delivery if alcohol is included.
Do you offer alcohol-free Christmas gift options?
Yes. Coffee, tea, chocolate, and sweets-based baskets make a festive alternative for recipients who do not drink.
Can I send a Christmas gift on behalf of my company?
Yes. Corporate Christmas gifts to clients, partners, and employees are common in Italy. If you want a company logo or message included, order ahead of the holiday rush.
Do I need the recipient’s phone number to place an order?
Yes, we recommend including it. Couriers use it to coordinate delivery, which helps avoid delays, particularly during the busy holiday season.
Can I add a personal message to my order?
Yes. Every order includes a message printed on a card, so you can add a short, warm note or a simple “Buon Natale!”
What are Italian Christmas markets known for?
Cities such as Florence, Verona, Bologna, Trento, and Aosta host Christmas markets known for local food, crafts, and mulled wine, part of the wider seasonal celebration.
Walwater Gifts
Our Uniquely Designed Gifts story began in 2008 when the business started with Baby Gifts only, especially Sweet Chocolate Bouquets. After a few years, we expanded the business presence by opening a second operation center in Europe. Walwater Gifts offers a beautiful and impressive collection of Gifts and Specialty Items.
About Us
Walwater Gifts uses the highest quality products, every order is treated with respect and attention to detail to ensure a perfect gift. We continuously strive to improve our products and services and create every gift with the same pride and enthusiasm as if it were our very own.
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