The perfect gift guide for Venice lovers

With the year-end approaching, it’s time to start shopping for family and friends. Finding a unique and personal gift isn’t always easy, especially for Venice lovers. To help, I’ve listed 12 ideas suitable for women, men, or children. These include decorations, books, puzzles, and jewellery. You might even want to treat yourself, or share this article as a hint for your own wishlist.

Candles

Candles are a versatile gift, perfect for both decoration and creating a cozy atmosphere.

Michela Bortolozzi of Relight Venice crafts beautiful candles inspired by Venetian architecture, such as the iconic windows of Palazzo Ducale. These candles are made entirely from sustainable, locally sourced materials, including walnut bases carved from excess wood used for gondola ‘forcole.’ Michela also creates earrings, brooches, soaps, and lollipops inspired by Venice.

For scented options, Feelin’ Venice offers handmade candles inspired by Venice’s sestieri. Each candle reflects the unique essence of its district. San Marco features orchid and candlewood, while Cannaregio highlights rhubarb and white musk.

Books

There must be thousands of books on Venice, making it easy to find something special for everyone. To avoid giving a duplicate, here are two new releases to consider.

The first is my book ‘Walks in Venice. In the footsteps of 9 locals’. Based on the recommendations of 9 locals, I designed walking routes which take you through the authentic soul of the city, from iconic sights to lesser-known treasures. The book is also available in Dutch: ‘Wandelingen in Venetië. In de voetstappen van 9 locals’.

The second is ‘Venezia. Memorie e Tracce’, a stunning black-and-white photo book. It will be released mid December, but you can already pre-order it.

If you want more inspiration, take a look at my post ‘Explore Venice through these 10 captivating books’.

Puzzles

Puzzles are a timeless gift for all ages, and Venice-themed options come in a range of difficulties, from simple 70-piece sets to challenging 6,000-piece designs. For something unique, consider these 3D puzzles that double as decorative display pieces.

The first puzzle features iconic Venetian landmarks and includes a booklet with historical details. The second is a 3D model of the Rialto Bridge, made from 216 bendable pieces that fit together seamlessly.

Prints

Gifts from Venetian artisans add a personal and meaningful touch. They also give recipients a reason to visit the workshops on their next trip to Venice.

Arianna Sautariello of Plum Plum Creations specializes in traditional printmaking. Her shop in Cannaregio, opened in 2016, features etchings, paintings, watercolors, and drawings of Venetian scenes.

For a more contemporary graphic design, explore the screen prints by Small Caps. With nearly 100 hand-printed designs, their collection highlights Venetian themes like rowing and palazzos. The artists, Federico and Paolo, also shared their favourite Venice spots in my post ‘A Walk Around Dorsoduro with Federico and Paolo’.

Jewellery

Venetian artisans also craft exquisite jewellery, blending traditional techniques with innovative designs.

PaperOowl crafts stunning earrings entirely from paper. Each piece is handmade using origami techniques and high-quality Japanese paper, featuring traditional kimono patterns.

For Murano glass jewellery, Attombri is a top choice. Stefano and Daniele handcraft necklaces, earrings, and bracelets by stringing delicate glass beads onto metal strands.

Wall decoration

For unique wall art, explore collections of antique maps or paintings. The Unique Maps and Catawiki both offer a wide selection of remarkable pieces that make for impressive gifts.

What’s your preferred Venice-themed gift? Share your ideas in the comments!

Enjoy the holidays!