The Gift of Italian Food

How can delicious Italian food specialities be missing from any holiday season gift list? We have a selection of Chef Andrea Tiberi's artisanal Panettone and his delightful Mini-Panettone, as well as a collection of Italian gourmet delights in two conveniently-sized gift baskets.

What are they? Loaded with Italian artisan-made specialty items, our gift baskets are the perfect way to celebrate the season with friends, family and colleagues.

Where can I find them? Available at our online Food Store.

How much do they cost? Gift baskets come in two sizes, small and large. Small baskets: $129; large baskets: $169, with discounts available for large orders (minimum of 10 baskets).

Who will enjoy it? Anyone and everyone; Italian food is a sure-fire hit!

What is it? It's spelled Panettone but it reads "Sprigs of holly, jingle bells, snow flakes… and all the pleasures of the season." It tells the story of a festive table and of a joyful meal, and when Panettone makes its appearance, cheers and laughter are sure to follow!

Where can I find it? Available at our online Food Store.

How much does it cost? Artisanal Panettone: $18.

Who will enjoy it? Young and old and anybody with a sweet tooth.

What is it? Call them the Italian answer to the cupcake, or maybe their Italian cousins. These miniature masterpieces of the culinary arts are made to be enjoyed over the holidays, for breakfast or for a sweet interlude with a cappuccino or an afternoon cup of tea.

Where can I find it? Available at our online Food Store.

How much does it cost? Artisanal Mini-Panettone "Duo": $9; Artisanal Mini-Panettone "Poker": $15.

Who will enjoy it? Young and old and anybody with a sweet tooth.

The Gift of Gadgetry

Certain gadgets are a part of our everyday lives; sometimes small in size, they have the power to bring up memories, inspire us or put a smile on our face. Just like these colorful and distinctive fridge magnets with their unquestionable Italian style.

What are they? The Saints of Rock Fridge Magnets are stunning magnets that will make you smile as they pay tribute to your favorite musical genius(es). Legendary composers and performers like Elvis, Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson and John Lennon, who have changed the course of 20th century music, will bring back fond memories and make a most notable addition to the door of your fridge.

Where can I find them? The series is available in our online store.

How much do they cost? Prices start at $6.95 each (when you buy 3, with our special holiday season "buy 2, get 3" promotion).

Who will enjoy it? Everybody will love them; it's guaranteed! Find your favorite musical heroes and make a splash among your friends and relatives.

What are they? Fridge magnets to invoke the protection of the saints to whom you feel most connected by affinity of life, work or interest; that's because every day, every place, every job, every age and every condition in life has a saint to match.

Where can I find them? The series is available in our online store.

How much do they cost? Prices start at $6.95 each (when you buy 3, with our special holiday season "buy 2, get 3" promotion).

Who will enjoy it? Everybody who needs an "Italian Blessing," sometimes with a twist of irony.

The Gift of Discovery

This section is for the eternally curious with two book suggestions: the first is a revolutionary, interactive guide for exploring a city like never before. The second is the just-released translation of Terroni, the revealing and controversial best-seller about "the dark side of unified Italy's history," starting with the Risorgimento, 150 years ago.

What is it? The New York Times calls whaiwhai "a high-tech Italian touring game that is part 'Amazing Race' and part treasure hunt, with a bit of DaVinci Code-style storytelling mixed in." Using the book and the texting feature [SMS] of your cell phone, you'll receive clues and will send answers that allow you to move across the city from location to location, following its most secret history.

Where can I find it? whaiwhai books are currently dedicated to six cities: one in the US (New York City) and five in Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, Verona and Milan).

How much do they cost? Price is $16.95/book

Who will enjoy it? All New Yorkers, and travelers to Italy with a little bit of "Indiana Jones" in their blood and… muscles in their legs.

What is it? The book Terroni: All That Has Been Done To Ensure That The Italians of The South Became "Southerners" is the best-seller written by Italian journalist, Pino Aprile. The English translation (funded by ILICA) of this influential book has just been released in time for the holiday season. An eye-opening work that explores the uncomfortable truth about the making of Italy, Terroni is a well-documented, controversial and courageous description of what the Italians did to themselves, and why, during (and after) the country's unification.

Where can I find it? Terroni is available at Select Italy's book store, at the lowest price on the market!

How much does it cost? Priced at $16.00

Who will enjoy it? A must-read for anybody with an Italian heritage or who calls him/herself "Italian."

What is it? ASIA is an Italian, non-profit organization with a 20-year record of successes in Asia. The organization has been particularly effective in Tibet where its work with Tibetan communities has been ground-breaking, often against all odds.

Where can I find it? The 2012 calendar features 12 works of art offered by six contemporary Tibetan artists to honor the resilient vibrancy and uniqueness of Tibetan culture. You can support ASIA's work by purchasing your copy(or copies) of the 2012 Calendar here.

How much does it cost? Donations for the calendar start at €10.00 per calendar (+S&H).

Who will enjoy it? Anybody who loves art, Asia and wants to help support Tibetan communities.

The Gift of Innovation

In the course of the year, we encounter certain products that strike us for their innovative aspect; it's the idea and the way it is developed that captures our attention. Here are a couple of our favorites that display a recognizable twist of Italian charm and a little bit of Italian genius.

What is it? LibriVivi is the revolutionary reinvention of the audiobook. Books are not only read, but actually interpreted in melodious Italian by the best Italian actors. The narration includes dialogues, sound effects and music in a recording that is produced with state-of-the-art technology. The result? A book that feels like a movie.

Where can I find it? There are currently 66 LibriVivi to choose from and they are available for download in mp3 format. Each comes with a free eBook (PDF) and printable cover text (also available for download at time of purchase).

How much do they cost? Prices range from €0,95 to €7,95.

Who will enjoy it? Anyone who loves the Italian language, or who is studying it. There are titles for both grown-ups and children, classics and fables, comedy and poetry and much more. Listen to some of the LibriVivi sample previews and choose your favorites!

What is it? Living Comic System® is a revolutionary technology for digital comics. Entirely developed in Italy by White Mouse Productions, it brings life to the story with multiple interactive features and animations. These include HD, touch screen animation, sound, thumbnail navigation and zoomable texts, and it is entirely gesture-controlled.

Where can I find it? There are currently two stories available in the iTunes store for iPad (iPhone version coming soon). The first is called Sulphur & Dana and the second Helga Deen. The Last Night (available in both English and Italian).

How much do they cost? Price is $2.99 per story.

Who will enjoy it? Anyone with an iPad and a love for comics.