Help with gift ideas please

How much are you looking to spend? Obviously it will have to be something very British but that will be appreciated by Italians. Calendars with pictures of castles or countryside views, biscuits, mince pies or particularly shortbread (in tins so they don't get crushed in your suitcase.

If you go for Christmas cake or Christmas pudding, serve it up yourself or they'll just put it in a cupboard. You can also get jars or tins of clotted cream which might go down well.

My DS & Family currently live in Italy but crave Cadbury chocolates. (even though they live in a chocolate producing region!) I think wine might be a case of "coals to Newcastle". Pens sounds a good idea.

Don't quite understand your question, JaneJudge

If the question is in blue, rowyn it means it's a link.

Mind you, I have no idea how JaneJudge did that!

I get lost down the " rabbit hole" that is Etsy. I always find something a bit quirky and original there. Take a look, Lucca and fingers crossed that you get out to Italy for Christmas.

I have just done a hard to buy for person and thrilled with it. Basically I have paid for my friend to adopt a snow leopard through the WWF. I paid and the cuddly snow leopard and all the details of the adoption came with it and I have wrapped up today. He goes away a lot to countries where a snow leopard could be spotted but never seen one as yet so joked I have provided the next best thing!

Make sure you check with the customs forms you will have to fill in now we are no longer part of Europe .....BUT if they are small allowed items that will go in your case, much better ...check with customs as to what you are able to take ! Much better and less expensive than posting ...I posted parcels to friends in Europe every birthday and Christmas but we have now agreed to stop, following Brexit ...we used to send only silly things anyway ....last year it cost me over £50 postage for things that only cost me £30 ! so I made instead a contribution to charity for the same amount I would have spent, and they said they would do the same !....good luck ....I hope the restrictions let you into Italy ......

Magazine subscriptions

Very good idea mrsgreenfingers56
I have seen a lovely WWF add on the TV for the type of gift you have suggested. The animal in the add was an emperor penguin.

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Nice pens sound a good idea, useful and take up little space in luggage and the recipient's home, and everyone needs a pen at some stage. Otherwise for the young folk some nicely presented chocolates or British toiletries. Do you know them? Would a good bottle of whisky be appropriate for the older gentleman
I'd personally steer clear of leather goods, as Italians make so many lovely leather goods

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