Still looking that perfect gift for your dad, brother or that colleague from the (zoom) office? We’ve come up with a selection of unique handmade gifts and tasty treats to delight just about anyone, including the men in your life. From hanging out around the house to (maybe) venturing outdoors a little more this winter, we’ve got gift ideas to make this season special.
Let’s just come out and say it. We could all use a drink right about now after the year we’ve had. For the Italian cocktail and spirits enthusiast in your life, we love The Negroni Club from Curious Appetite, which includes all the ingredients you need to make up to 20 negroni cocktails, from artisanal vermouth, Tuscan-made gin and a wholly craft made bitter liqueur. Hello, apertivo hour! Also included in the box are recipe and mixing information, fact sheets and other personal touches to turn your loved one into a negroni expert in no time. The Club also gives complementary access to a fun virtual mixology class with Curious Appetite. While supplies last, you can add an extra-special touch by including some fancy tools like a mixing glass, strainer, spoon, and jigger to your gift. If Negronis aren’t your thing, Curious Appetite will also curate an amaro or a grappa box built around your tastes. All products are specially selected by Curious Appetite’s founder Coral Sisk who is a sommelier and food blogger whose writing can be found on sites like Eater, Vogue and Vice Munchies. To join the club, pricing starts at $325 for the Negroni Box which includes insured shipping, unique craft productions which are not found in the States, tickets to online workshops and printed materials. Contact Curious Appetite for more information.
A nice touch for the holiday table, this hand-stitched leather and wood bottle holder by Jane H. Creations (developed in collaboration with Erin Ciulla from Il Torchio) is a beautiful artisan-made gift for any discerning wine lover. We also love the hand-carved wooden coaster set as a special accent for cocktail hour. Prices for the bottle holders range from €55 to €65, and a pair coasters is €35. Order your gift today by contacting Jane, or browse for other gifts on her website.
A well-made, comfortable pair of shoes is a gift that keeps on giving, even better if they have a style that will set you apart from the crowd. As fans of New Kid for years. we can attest to the great fit and long-wearing design of their shoes. For these winter months, we love the line of Max Ramble hiking boots, (which are also available in women’s sizes). Sturdy enough for wintery walks in campagna, but edgy enough for a stroll through town, these boots have a contrast calfskin padded collar, a padded tongue and hiker eyelets as well as a durable Vibram outsole stitched to upper for long lasting wear (€170 for hi tops, €160 for ankle boots). Other styles we love are the Remy Loot leather lace-up boot (€145), or the Claude Bust shoe in soft suede (€125). Find more great shoes for men and women on the website, where you can also browse the full line of clothes and accessories!
You may remember Art925 from our jewelry-themed gift guide, but we’re re-introducing the collection here because we just love these unique cuff-links made with vintage watch gears, sterling silver and resin (€130), a truly one-of-a-kind way to add some personality to your look. To learn more about Art925 jeweler Naomi Muirhead, and to see other styles, visit her website or follow along with the latest creations on Instagram.
This wooden clip board and notepad, also by Jane H. Creations in collaboration with Il Torchio, is a great idea for someone who likes to keep things organized or take notes on the go. The clipboard has a smooth face for writing, while the back is beautifully hand-carved to add a bit of texture for a secure grip. The clipboard (which includes a beautiful notepad) comes in both A5 (€58) and A4 (€75) sizes. To shop for these items and others, stop by Jane’s workshop in Via Bartolini (if conditions allow), or visit her website or Etsy shop.
You may have already spotted it on our Gift Guide for Festive Jewelry, but we wanted to remind you of the elegant unisex Febe ring by Floema. Each band has a different precious stone on opposite sides, so by turning the ring, you show one stone while holding the other in the palm of your hand. Choose the stone combination of a ruby, diamond, sapphire, or emerald that is most meaningful to you, For a limited time, the Febe ring is just €55. Shop on line here.
The co-working jewelry studio Officine Nora hosts several jewelry designers, all with a unique aesthetic and background. For your gift-giving this year, we love these bold solid silver rings by goldsmith Toma Catry. Each ring is made without a mold, resulting in varied surface textures and organic forms, so it is truly one-of-a-kind, To see more work by Toma, follow along on Instagram. The Déroulement ring, by the brand HYQS and designed by Sophie Ciccone, is inspired by skateboard culture and the mechanical elements of the wheels and board. The collection, which also includes unisex rings and pendants, is both elegant and versatile. The ring shown above is in silver with gold accents with hand set red garnets. Stop by Officine Nora to get a closer look at these works, or shop online.
These bronze Santo Spirito cuff links (€48) by Marina Calamai are a lovely gift idea for someone who holds this special neighborhood in his heart. For that person in your life who loves this city as much as you do, check out the whole collection of Tuscany and Florence themed pieces, as well as her diverse range of other enticing jewels. Shop online and follow on Instagram.
Stay tuned over the coming weeks for more gift ideas from local designers and small business owners for all the special people in your life. As always, shop small, shop local. Happy gifting!
Check out the other Gift Guides for 2020!
Gift Guide for At-Home Fashion
Joyful Handmade Gifts for Children
Gift Guide for a Creative Kitchen
Gift Guide for Festive Jewelry and Hands-on Experiences
To learn more about the artists mentioned above and discover other top quality craftsmanship in Florence, download the new Creative People in Florence App! Free to download from the App Store or Google Play, the App offers access to a selection of local artisans and designers. You can use it to map the route to their workshop or you can browse their online profiles and shop online.
creativepeopleinflorence.com 
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