Christmas Shopping In Rome

Shopping in Rome has gotten a bit tricky over the past decade. Before Italians traded in their Lire for Euro, foreigners coming to Italy with dollars, pounds, and handfuls of other currencies filled their suitcases with all things “made in Italy” at bargain prices. In the winter of 2001/2002, The Euro currency was introduced in Italy and since then, shopping has never been the same. Many items that were once affordable suddenly became luxuries, and shoppers have had to continually look harder and harder to find that something special to take home from Rome.

There are still a few items that can pass as bargains, and others that cannot, but are worth buying anyway, such as:

Knives

If you happen to be travelling a bit outside of the major cities, many smaller Italian towns have shops where artisan knives are made. Italian knives are made with beautiful wooden, marble, and even Ivory handles.  A word to the wise: do not pack any knives or sharp objects in your cabin luggage, or the airport security worker may be the one slicing up his Christmas ham with it!

Gold

Though not necessarily a bargain, Italian gold has earned a reputation for its outstanding quality. There is certainly no shortage of jewelry shops in Rome, although a good place to find competitive prices might be the Via del Corso or Via Cola di Rienzo shopping areas.

Nativity Scenes/La Befana

Each year the Piazza Navona square is transformed into Christmas Central. The piazza is bursting at the seams with toy vendors, candy vendors, rides for children, and artisan stalls which sell everything from tree trimmings to “befana” dolls to nativity scenes to holiday craft items.

Murano glass

While Murano glass has been a popular tourist souvenir item for decades, it is important to know the difference between the good and the cheap. In recent years, Chinese imitations have invaded Italy and Italian gift shops, usually selling for about 3 to 5 euro per item. A close look at the color patterns in the swirled glass should be enough to demonstrate the difference between the genuine murano glass and the Eastern knockoffs (in case the price tag leaves any uncertainty). In addition to the typical beaded necklaces and bracelets, there are some beautiful rings, pendants, and necklaces with one-of-a-kind designs. If you cannot get to Venice or Murano and are doing your Christmas Shopping in Rome, Shops such as "La Murrina" in Piazza Navona or "Murano piu'" along the Corso Rinascimento usually have a nice selection.

Food

When all else fails, buy food. Around the holidays, shops and supermarkets begin producing gift packages, some of which travel very well. Vacuum sealed wedges of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese are often boxed with an aged bottle of Balsamic vinegar or a lovely cheese knife. Sealed bags containing prosciutto cotto or culatello – a more prized cut of the cured Parma ham- literally the “little backside” of the pig also make a nice gift.  A less expensive option might be a Panettone, a typical Italian sweet bread/cake hybrid. Panettone are exchanged by most Italians as gifts around the holidays, and no Italian Christmas table would be complete without it!

Naturally, there are items you should avoid buying at all costs while Christmas shopping in Rome, for example:

Perfumes - Chances are you will find them much cheaper at the duty free section or in a retail department store abroad. Perfumes in Italy are not a bargain.

Leather goods – While lovely and usually of good quality, Italian leather goods are equally as nice and can be found at a fraction of the cost in many stores abroad.

Wines – a nice gesture, but they don’t travel so well (as anyone who has arrived home to a suitcase soaked with the red stinky stuff will agree).

Rome sightseeing calendars, magnets, alabaster statues, vatican tour memorabilia, etc…Who uses that stuff?

© Copyright 2008, When In Rome Tours

When In Rome tours is a small company dedicated to providing innovative and thought-provoking Vatican Tours and Rome sightseeing Tours for all audiences. Native-level English speaking guides of Rome and Italy help the tourist to discern between documented history and legend,  bringing the Eternal City to life like no other tour provider.

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