Carry Italy’s Spirit Wherever You Are
Italian memories have staying power—the warm glow of ancient streets after dark, musical voices bouncing off stone walls, leisurely meals stretching into the evening. You don't need a plane ticket to keep that magic alive at home. Authentic products and traditional items recreate the atmosphere that felt so special during your visit. Here are twenty things worth bringing back to preserve that connection.
1. Traditional Italian Playing Cards
Italian playing cards vary by region, with designs like Sicilian and Piacentine. Each deck has 40 cards marked with local motifs and four classic suits. Bring them into your home and enjoy Italian card games like Scopa with friends or family.
2. Aged Balsamic Vinegar From Modena
Once a prized wedding gift, it is perfect for drizzling on cheese or fresh fruit at home. Only Modena and Reggio Emilia produce true traditional balsamic vinegar. This vinegar ages in cherry, oak, and chestnut barrels for at least twelve years.
Festival della Scienza on Wikimedia
3. Classic Moka Pot
The moka pot’s octagonal design isn’t just stylish—it directs steam through the coffee grounds. Invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti, this clever brewer turned into a cultural icon and remains a beloved part of Italian households.
Dan-Martin Hellgren on Wikimedia
4. Italian Espresso Beans
Italian espresso beans are roasted darker than lighter blends elsewhere, creating their bold flavor. Brew them daily at home for café-style mornings. The mix of Arabica and Robusta beans balances taste and strength to produce the crema and richness that define authentic Italian coffee.
Showdown: What is the BEST Italian Espresso Brand? by Espresso Doc.
5. Handmade Pasta
That ideal firm bite—known as al dente—captures the essence of Italian pasta-making, where even a single tagliatelle strand is crafted to be as thin as a wedding ring. From basic semolina and water or eggs springs a universe of possibilities. You get to choose between 350 distinct shapes across Italy's regions.
6. Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
Grated over pasta or shaved onto salads, it easily adds Italy’s taste to any home meal. Authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano is stamped with codes tracing it to five Italian provinces. Known as the “King of Cheeses,” each wheel ages 12 to 36 months under strict oversight.
7. Truffle-Infused Salt
In regions like Piedmont and Umbria, trained dogs and pigs find truffles hidden underground. When these prized fungi are blended with sea salt, the result is a seasoning that changes simple dishes such as popcorn and eggs to gourmet-style meals.
How To Make Black Truffle Salt by Linda's Pantry
8. Tuscan Terra Cotta & Potpourri
Bring a little piece of the Tuscan countryside into your home with terra cotta potpourri or a classic diffuser. This beautiful, earthy Italian pottery gently soaks up and releases fragrances, making your space smell like a garden in Florence. The warm, rustic feel of terra cotta also connects your décor to centuries of Tuscan tradition and history.
9. Tuscan Red Wine
Tuscan winemaking centers on Sangiovese grapes, aged in oak barrels known as botti. The region created famous denominations like Chianti in 1716, followed by Brunello di Montalcino and other celebrated wines that shaped Italy’s history of viticulture.
Diego Cosenza from Roma, Italy on Wikimedia
10. Murano Glass Vase
Displayed at home, each vase becomes both artwork and décor. Murano glass vases sparkle with gold and silver leaf, crafted on the Venetian island of Murano. Generations of artisans perfected this skill, once so valued that glassmakers were forbidden from leaving Venice.
11. Venetian Carnival Mask
The Bauta mask, designed to allow eating without removal, shows how Venetian masks mixed function with intrigue. Once tied to politics and romance, they later became ornate carnival symbols. Hung on a wall, they add dramatic Italian flair to the home.
12. Italian Leather Handbag
The scent of true Italian leather signals quality. In Tuscany, artisans use vegetable tanning and hand-stitching to transform hides into soft, durable handbags. Each piece carries the region’s tradition of artisans and attention to detail.
13. Silk Scarf From Lake Como
For five centuries, Lake Como has been a global silk capital. Local mills produce scarves known for their smooth texture and rich colors, continuing a textile tradition that began in the 16th century and remains central to Italian fashion.
Grand Tour Lake Como Silk Foulards Process by Grand Tour Lake Como
14. Hand-painted Ceramics
Italian ceramics have roots in the Renaissance, especially in Deruta, Faenza, and Vietri sul Mare. Artisans hand-paint each piece with classic designs like lemons and geometric patterns. Used at the table or displayed on shelves, they brighten homes with Italian artistry.
15. Mosaic Art Tile From Ravenna
Ravenna’s mosaics, built from glass and stone, date back to the 5th and 6th centuries. Now, UNESCO World Heritage sites, these works inspire modern artists. A single tile displayed at home connects everyday life to centuries of Italian artistry.
16. Italian Cookbook
Italian cookbooks often blend recipes with family stories and regional traditions. More than collections of dishes, they preserve culinary heritage and help home cooks with authentic preparations of pasta, risotto, and other local specialties.
Cookbook Preview: The 5-Ingredient Italian Cookbook, by Francesca Montillo by Cookbook Divas
17. Roman Gladiator Figurine
These figurines recall gladiators of ancient Rome, many of whom were slaves or prisoners. Trained in schools, they fought in arenas like the Colosseum. A figurine on a bookshelf or desk brings a touch of ancient history into any home.
Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany on Wikimedia
18. Handmade Wooden Pinocchio Doll
Lovingly carved and painted by hand in the timeless tradition, this wooden Pinocchio doll carries forward Carlo Collodi's enchanting 1881 vision. A cherished symbol of Italian childhood wonder, the beloved character's story has captured imaginations across 260 languages and countless generations worldwide.
Fotografia di Error. on Wikimedia
19. Opera Recordings From La Scala
La Scala in Milan opened in 1778 and became one of the world’s greatest opera houses. It premiered works by Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini. At home, recordings let you experience the grandeur of Italian opera from your living room.
20. Italian Linen Tablecloth
Italian linen tablecloths are soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic. Celebrated since Roman times and perfected in Tuscan workshops, they combine elegance with durability. Spread across your dining table, they turn everyday meals into Italian-inspired occasions.
