I love giving gifts, especially when it comes to gorgeous food gifts! I especially enjoy giving hampers, they are just as much fun to make as they are watching the lucky recipient dig through the hamper to see what’s inside. One of my favourite things to gift? An Italian food gift basket. It’s thoughtful, easy to personalise, and is so delicious.
In this blog, I’ll take you through a simple but impactful Italian gift basket I recently made for a friend’s birthday – and the best part? It couldn’t be easier to recreate.
So, What Should You Put in an Italian Food Gift Basket?
The contents of a foodie gift basket are entirely up to you – it’s the perfect excuse to get creative, explore local delis, or browse the fancy aisle at your supermarket. For an Italian-themed gift basket, you’ll want to choose items that are either authentically Italian or inspired by traditional flavours and ingredients from the region. Some of my favourite Italian hamper additions include:
- Pasta – the funkier the shape, the better!
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olives
- Pesto or an artisan pasta sauce
- Breadsticks or crispy flatbreads
- Cheese & charcuterie
- Italian sparkling, red, or white wine
- Amaretti biscuits
- Cannoli or Italian nougat
Can You Add Fresh Food To a Hamper?
Yes, absolutely! If you really want to take your gift basket to the next level, adding a few fresh elements can make all the difference – especially if you’re delivering it in person or gifting it the same day. It adds colour, fragrance, and that extra-special touch that makes the whole thing feel more considered and luxurious.
Think fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme, which not only smell incredible but can also be used right away in the kitchen. I also love including vibrant vine tomatoes, a crusty loaf of sourdough bread, or even a lemon or two for a pop of colour and zest. These little additions can tie the whole gift together and give it that fresh-from-the-market feel.
Where To Shop for Italian Gift Basket Items
Shopping for your Italian gift basket items can be so much fun, especially if you know where to look for those hidden gem items. If you can, choose local suppliers – this not only helps to support small businesses, but adds an extra special touch to the gift basket. Here’s where I like to look:
- Local Italian delis or farm shops – we have Chatsworth Farm Shop nearby which is full of gorgeous food items that are made in the area.
- Specialty Italian food stores like Eataly or Carluccio’s – you’ll often find some unique Italian ingredients here that you won’t find in a standard supermarket
- Online retailers like Sous Chef, The Food Market, or Amazon – if you can’t get out to the shops in time.
- Supermarket “Finest” ranges – for affordable but elevated options. I love Waitrose and M&S in particular.
- Etsy or small batch makers – great for artisan pesto, oils, or handmade chocolates.
How To Assemble Your Gift Basket
You can pull together a stunning gift basket in just 15 minutes by following these five simple steps:
1. Choose the Contents Of Your Gift Basket
First, you need to start by choosing the exact Italian food items that you’d like to feature in your gift basket. Starting at this step is helpful, because it is the primary part of the gift, and will often take up most of your budget.
When choosing which items to feature in your gift basket, try and choose items that vary in size, flavour, but still sit within a similar colour theme. For mine, I opted for items that featured red and green, as well as a neutral colour like brown.
2. Select Your Hamper
Next you need to choose the perfect hamper container. Considering the size of your items, select a vessel that best suits your style. A gorgeous wicker basket is a classic choice, or, you can get a bit more creative. For mine, I used a galvanised steel garden planter – a fun, reusable option that added to the charm of the gift.
Top Tip: The container should be wide and low enough to display your items nicely, with just enough height to let everything peek out over the top.
3. Add a Lining
Don’t just place your hamper items into the basket – you need some sort of lining or shredded paper to help hold the items in place. This also adds to the visual appeal of your Italian food gift basket, helping it feel much more put together. I chose a classic white tissue paper, just 2 sheets, with some left draped over the sides of the basket. You could also use brown shredded paper filler, or even a tea towel which doubles as an extra gift!
4. Arrange Your Items
Now onto the fun part! Start with the largest food items, placing these at the back of your hamper. Work your way from back to front, layering the food items from largest to smallest. If you can, try and balance the colours across the hamper.
For example, don’t group all of the green items together – in the hamper below, notice that I placed the fresh herb bundle at one side, and the jar of olives at the other. Play around with the arrangement of your items until you’re happy with the way the hamper looks.
5. Decorate Your Hamper
Finish off your basket with a few final touches to make it gift-ready. You can wrap the whole thing in clear cellophane for a polished look, or keep it rustic with a simple ribbon tied around the basket.
Since I used a planter, I got creative and used a chalkboard pen to write a personal birthday message directly on the side – a fun and reusable detail that added a special, handmade feel.
Easy Gift Ideas From Savery Grazing
We hope you enjoyed making (and giving!) this gorgeous Italian gift basket. Whether you’re gifting it for a birthday, a housewarming, or as a hostess gift, it’s sure to be a hit. If you’re looking for more easy gift ideas, especially ones that your foodie friends will love, look no further than Savery Grazing.
We have many handy gift guides on our blog – simply check out the ‘gifting’ category. Or, find more inspiration over on our Instagram or Facebook page!
Jasmine Savery
Founder & DirectorHi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.
Hi! I'm Jasmine, and I launched Savery Grazing in 2022. I’ve always had a passion for food, with a particular love for how social it can be. Follow along as I share my favourite tips, tricks, and delicious recipes with you.