„Contemplative“ rushing from one shop to the other searching for the perfect Christmas present for a friend, a brother, a sister, the parents, … but nothing really convinces you and then the 23rd of December is already on your doorstep. A gift idea though is far and wide not in sight.
Well then, do you know this situation and are you part of this species that each and every year takes it up saying „This year I will search the Christmas presents in time“, but in the end you run again cross-city on the 23rd of December? Then this article is for you.
Do you need a pinch of inspiration?
Then have a look at eBotteghe
In Venice an ecommerce platform was founded that has nothing in common with Amazon: After the disastrous high tide (acqua alta) from last year, Marco Ziliotto and Behind Venice have joined their forces and founded eBotteghe, a platform, that offers a shopwindow to artisans and tiny companies to present and sell their products.
Here you will find for sure something for your beloved ones, starting from handmade porcelain, to handmade chocolate and toys, to books.
I’m a huge fan of the colourful wooden magnets and toys by Signor Blum, the chocolate of Vizio Virtù (Vice and Virtue, very fitting I’d say), the unique designs of FeelinVenice and the self printed books by Damocle Edizioni.
Languages: Italian, English
Shipping: international
Do you love beer?
So Birrificio Ofelia should be the right choice for you
In September I participated in a beer tasting organized by the Microbrewery Ofelia.
I generelly prefer wine, but Ofelia convinced me right from the start with their creativity and their creation of different beer versions (ginger, spices, …) that really knocked my socks off.
I enjoyed the beers so much that, when I saw in the end of October that they sell a beer advent calender, I got one for my amore (sorry, they are all sold out). You can find different interesting products on their website and let’s be honest … what can probably go wrong when you gift beer? 😉
Language: Italian
Shipping: national
Just contact them directly to find out if they also ship to other countries.
Or do you crave delicious Prosecco?
Then I recommend you unconditionally the winecellar Toffoli, a producer located in Refrontolo in the heart of the prosecco production area.
I visited myself in summer their winecellar for a winetasting with a little tour of their company history and an explanation of the prosecco production: They were very generous when they poured the wine during the tasting and with all the delicious wine we drank in that afternoon we just couldn’t leave without a bottle to bring home.
My favourites were: Rosé Maria (sparkling), Frizzante Vincenzo (a fizzy prosecco), Zero (a sparkling dry prosecco)
Languages: Italian, English
Shipping: national/international
Do you have a creative person or an artist in your family or among your friends?
Then have a look at smallcaps because their screen printings are spectacular (!) … and connected to Venice.
smallcaps is the story of two students that got to know each other during their architecture studies in order to share their rent. Their story didn’t end with their university degree but continued as both men decided to start a career in graphic design and so they decided to join forces with a clear target in head: To abandon the computers and printers to work with their hands and in synchrony with the slow Venetian rhythm.
That’s how smallcaps was founded in 2012 by Paolo Roggero (from Piemont), Federico Arzenton (from the Bassa Veronese) … and their dog.
Language: English
Shipping: international
[A non paid recommandation made out of personal conviction and to support artisans and tiny companies]
