Here’s The Florentine’s pick of the presents this holiday season for the Florence lovers in your life.
SMELLS LIKE FLORENCE
Crafted entirely by hand, Officina de’ Tornabuoni’s fragrance bars (from 50-60 euro for a box of three fragrance bars) make exquisite and rare gifts.
Marrying the finest quality natural ingredients with an authentic artisanal production and antique know-how, each bar is individually hand-poured and scented. Available in the brand’s signature natural fine fragrances, including Libreria, with floral notes, woods and spices, and Palazzo Larderel, with elegant olfactive notes inspired by the building’s architectural history.
Officina de’ Tornabuoni, via de’ Tornabuoni 19, Florence
BUY HERE
TRUFFLES + TINSEL
Heighten the holiday spirit with a truffle gift box from Savini Tarfufi. Il Tartufato gift box (48 euro) contains a smorgasbord of scented tuber wonders, including the company’s iconic baby peaches with summer truffle; figs, honey and truffles; truffled tagliolini pasta; and Parmigiano Reggiano and Truffle Butter Cream.
The gift box keeps on giving with a recipe book with instructions on how to cook the perfect truffle pasta for friends and family this Christmas.
Savini Tartufi Truffle Restaurant, via Porta Rossa 19, Florence + Mercato Centrale Firenze, piazza del Mercato Centrale, via dell’Ariento, Florence
BUY HERE
FESTIVE FLOWERS
Amble over the Arno for the perfect gift to glam up your party look. Fun and fabulous, treat a girlfriend to Sara Amrhein’s handmade jewellery set.
The necklace (75 euro) and earrings (55 euro; the set costs 120 euro) are sculpted in light yet durable polymer clay featuring precious stones and glass beads.
While they’re pictured here in seasonal scarlet, the gems are actually available in all shades of the rainbow.
Sara Amrhein, via dello Sprone 9/11R, Florence
FIND OUT MORE
SUITED + BOOTED
Splurge on this fancy footwear designed by Jennifer Tattanelli, the American-Florentine leather stylist. The leopard lamb hair suede booties (460 euro) come in warm luggage shades to jazz up winter days. The brand reassures us that the fit’s so comfortable that the eight-centimetre heel actually feels like wearing a pair of ballerinas.
While you’re in the piazza Pitti store, browse the handmade leather delights, which Tattanelli learned to make by watching her grandmother weave handbags over boxes as a child.
Jennifer Tattanelli, piazza Pitti 31/R, Florence
FIND OUT MORE
WALLETS OF WONDER
Choose a personalized gift and pick a wallet from Frau Leman, a fresh leather goods label in Santo Spirito. From the compact Loopy Wallet (70 euro) for bills, coins and cards to the spacious Travel Wallet (160 euro), which accommodates phone, passport, cards and cash, you’re bound to find the right fit for your special someone. There’s even the Horizon Wallet (140 euro), which attaches to your belt or bag strap.
Visit Stephanie in her tiny workshop and ask her for colour, shape and name stamping options while seeing her working on handmade leather goods.
Frau Leman, via della Chiesa 21R, Florence
BUY HERE
CHRISTMAS CRUNCH
Here’s an idea: a box of assorted cookies (11.50 euro) made by esteemed bakers Fratelli Lunardi in Quarrata, Tuscany. While the temptation might be to keep these almond and chocolate cantucci all to yourself, remember that sharing is caring (yes, that even applies to confectionery!). Travellers can opt for the lighter 200g (5.60 euro) or 400g (9.60 euro) bags.
The ultimate stocking filler: choose the two-cookie (2 euro) sachet.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro, lungarno degli Acciaiuoli 80R, Florence
BUY HERE
HANDLES OF LOVE
Introduce a touch of Florence to your home with these sublime Love Handles (from 58 euro) by bronze company Il Bronzetto. Eccentric knobs and knockers such as Kindergarten and Frankenstein give vent to creativity, while more classic versions like the Novecento range reproduce a vintage atmosphere as faithfully as possible. Open 9.30am-1.30pm, 2.30-6.30pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.
We can’t wait to get our hands on them… Call 055/229288.
Il Bronzetto, via Romana 151/R, Florence
FIND OUT MORE
ALL EARS
Looking for an award-winning gift for your cool cousin/niece/teenager? Designers Cecilia Falciai and Laura Calligari wrapped up the debut of Bottega Strozzi Award with their contemporary earphone spool, titled Leon (84 euro).
It might be a gift for 2020, but it’s the traditional Florentine scagliola craft technique that makes this creation a winner, with its geometric motifs inspired by the city’s monuments. Plus, you can wear it as a statement piece as the yo-yo doubles as a brooch or necklace.
Una figata, as the locals say.
Bottega Strozzi, Palazzo Strozzi, piazza degli Strozzi, Florence
PERFECT PAIRING
What’s a Christmas celebration without a bottle of Tuscan red? Stock up on Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Guado Alto (19 euro), a 100 percent Sangiovese from Greve in Chianti. The product of painstaking pruning and low yield leading to concentrated grapes, this exquisite wine vaunts a soft and rounded mouthfeel after ageing for 8 months in large oak barrels.
Forest fruits, tobacco and clove aromas make this Tuscan bottling a perfect pairing with a hearty Christmas Day roast lunch, or even a simple cheeseboard among friends.
Castello Vicchiomaggio, via Vicchiomaggio 16, Greve in Chianti
BUY HERE
SPICE IT UP
It’s hand-crafted gems galore at Officine Nora in the Oltrarno. You’ll find a variety of just-made pieces at this workshop for jewellery makers and lovers. Meet the eight resident designers from all around the world and buy special gifts for your loved ones (prices start from 50 euro).
From November 30 to December 23, the shop will be open from Monday to Friday from 2.30 to 7.30pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.
Officine Nora, via dei Preti 2-4/R, Florence
FIND OUT MORE
…AND BREATHE!
Rejoice in the ultimate relaxation with a Relax Firenze signature gift card or personal gift certificate (from 25 euro). Perched over piazza della Repubblica, this central Florence oasis channels natural health needs, letting you and your loved one feel rejuvenated this winter.
Special treats include halotherapy in the zen Himalayan salt room; group or private yoga, Pilates, mindfulness and meditation lessons, as well as EMS personal training, holistic massages, wellness rituals and organic skin care.
Relax Firenze, via Strozzi 2, Florence, first floor
