Gifts for someone who loves Sicily: 7 Thoughtful ideas

Not many people come to Sicily and soon forget about their visit.

They remember a particular street, a conversation they had over lunch, or the view from a window they only looked through for a week. And then there are those who have never been, but have somehow fallen for the island all the same.

If you are buying for one of these people, a generic “Italian” gift may miss the mark. Here are seven ideas that feel a little more personal.

1. A photograph or postcard of their Sicily

Think of a place that means something to them. It might be the town their family came from, a stretch of coast they visited together, or a square they keep talking about. Find a good photograph or postcard, have it printed well, frame it and write a little note as to why you chose it.

If they have never visited, ask which part of Sicily they dream about. That question alone may tell you more than a gift guide can.

2. A book they can disappear into

Choose a book that gives them people and a story, not just a list of sights to see. A novel set on the island, a memoir, a book about Sicilian food, or a collection of its history can keep them there long after they have finished the last page.

Write a note inside the cover. Tell them what made you think of them when you found it. That turns a good book into their book.

3. The ingredients for a Sicilian afternoon

Choose one recipe, print or handwrite it, and put together the ingredients they will need. It needn’t be elaborate. The pleasure is in setting aside an afternoon to make something, filling the kitchen with unfamiliar smells, and sitting down to taste the result.

If you have cooked together before, choose a dish that brings back the memory. If you haven’t, give them an invitation to make it with you.

An example of one of our recipe cards that is inserted into our letters to our subscribers

4. Something made by a Sicilian artisan

A small piece made by a real person can mean more than a large box of souvenirs. Look for an artist or craftsperson whose work you genuinely like, and include their name and where in Sicily the piece was made.

Let the recipient’s taste guide you. Someone who loves simple things may appreciate a modest bowl or a piece of printed paper far more than a brightly decorated object chosen because it looks “Sicilian.”

Hand painted tiles are a lovely gift that can be framed, either as a set of 4 or an individual tile that can be used as a pot stand.

Another unusual gift, but very Sicilian are the Moors Heads that can be used as pot plants.

5. A map with a story attached

A map is especially lovely for someone with family roots on the island. Mark the town their grandparents came from, the route they took on a memorable trip, or the places they hope to visit one day.

Add a note explaining the marks. Without it, you have given them a map. With it, you have given them a piece of their own story.

6. Time together to talk about Sicily

A gift does not always need wrapping. Find some authentic Sicilian recipes and cook lunch together and ask about their trip. Invite them to show you their photographs. Watch a film set on the island, then let the conversation wander.

People who love a place usually have stories they are delighted to tell. Giving them your attention may be the part they remember.

7. A real letter from Sicily, month after month

If the person you have in mind would love to know what life on the island is actually like, you could give them letters written here in Sicily.

I write Letters from Sicily from my home in the west of the island. Every month I tell my readers where I have been, what happened, and what caught my attention. Some months are funny. Others are beautiful, frustrating, or a little of everything. The letter is printed, sealed and posted, so one ordinary day it arrives in their mailbox.

You can give three, six or twelve months of Just the Letter. It works for a birthday, an anniversary, a thank-you, or simply because someone you care about misses Sicily.

If you would like to see what I write before choosing it as a gift, you can read a complete letter I sent to subscribers in August for free.

The best gift for someone who loves Sicily depends on what they love about it. Start there, and you are much more likely to give them something they will keep.