Every year we publish a carefully curated list of holiday gifts from Abruzzo. With Christmas just around the corner we hope it will help you to find a few last minute ideas for all Abruzzo lovers in your life.
Handwoven scarves
Valeria Belli weaves stunning textiles on her 18th century loom. For Christmas, she has a beautiful collection of Abruzzese wool scarves for men and women. In her textiles, Valeria incorporates ancient motives once used in local traditional costumes. She also takes orders for bed covers, bed sheets, and table clothes woven from cotton, linen, and hemp. Contact Valeria via her Facebook page.
Chocolate goodies
If you want something more unusual than a traditional panettone how about a big panettone-shaped chocolate? Di Donato 1932 make heavenly all things chocolate at their factory in Pescara. Their Gran Nocciolato di Natale is a big hit this time of year. It is 1.3kg of chocolate (dark or milk, you choose) with hazelnuts – need we say more? Check out their online shop or visit the factory (Strada della Bonifica 98, Pescara).
Abruzzo-themed wall calendars
ABRUZZISSIMO has launched two wall calendars for year 2023. Dolci from Abruzzo has one traditional dessert recipe for each month: torroncini and morette biscuits, pan ducale from Atri, bocconotti di Castel Frentano and other delicious dolci from across the region. Our other wall calendar, Abruzzo Towns and Villages is filled with beautiful images of the region. We included photos of Pacentro, Sulmona, Barrea, Scanno, Colledimezzo and other picturesque locations — one photo for each month of the year. To buy the calendar for yourself or as a gift, go to our online shop.
Gift subscription
This month only, we are offering a special deal for our readers: buy a gift one-year digital subscription to ABRUZZISSIMO and get €10 off your own subscription (renewal or new). You will get access to our premium content, all past issues, and special offers on tours, stays, and all things Abruzzo. See the details in our shop.
Bear smart food boxes
Buy local delicacies and help Abruzzo’s endangered Marsican bears. Part of the proceeds from your purchase will go to the Bear Conservation Fund. The goodies inside include cheeses, ratafia liqueur, wild apple cider, traditional mugnoli greens preserves, and nougat — all from Abruzzo’s small producers and family farms located in the Marsican bear territories. Available from Broozy online shop and can be shipped within Europe.
Organic cosmetics from Castel di Ieri
A family-run farm in the tiny town of Castel di Ieri makes organic cosmetics with snail slime (sounds gross but, oh, so good for your skin). The small range of cosmetics include anti-age and moisturising creams, and excellent soaps, all available online.
Sweet hampers with a special discount
Dolci Aveja is a family-run business based in L’Aquila that has been baking traditional goodies since 1977. In addition to scrumptious biscuits, they sell liqueurs, chocolates, nougat and, most recently, excellent coffee blends made in their micro-roastery. We love their metal gift boxes with old images of L’Aquila. Dolci Aveja is offering a special discount for ABRUZZISSIMO readers – 10% off any order over €30 from their online shop. (You will find the discount code in the latest issue of the magazine available here). International shipping is available.
For more “Made in Abruzzo” gift ideas see our post from last year here.
