These hand towels, found in the linen shop on via Garibaldi,  are embroidered with a cheery "Buongiorno" greeting that I'd love to use as guest towels. The pack is priced at 15 euro.

As my visiting friend said, as we walked around Stresa on a gray drizzling day, "It's always a good day for shopping!" And of course she's right. Here are some items I've noticed recently in two shops on via Garibaldi that I think fit well into the category of charming little gifts. This bunch ranges in price from 3 euro to 15 euros.

First, some food items, because who doesn't enjoy yummy gifts from Italy?

In Pasticceria Bravi, on via Garibaldi, 6, these "Fiori di Stresa" caramelle, Flowers of Stresa, candies, cost only 3 euro per 100 grams. Wouldn't they make great little gift sacks?

While there pick up some artigianale chocolate bars from Milano that they carry. They also have gift boxes of Margheritine di Stresa cookies, as do many pastry shops around town. These are 8 euro for a 150 gram box. But, Bravi also has small trays of the cookies that they bake fresh on the premises. Try these instead ... they are delicate and light, with such a unique flavor and texture. They are the ones that we give to our guests at La Lombarda as a welcome. And for a gift to yourself, to reward yourself for getting your gift shopping done, treat yourself to some more of their small individual desserts, also made daily there in the shop. 

Across the street from Bravi is the Linen Shop, at number 9 via Garibaldi. The sign is in English on one side; on the other it says Tessuti, which is fabric in Italian. An important thing to know about this shop is that it is currently the longest-running shop in Stresa. It first opened its doors in 1816, and has been in operation consistently since then. Here you will find a huge selection of fine linens and some small items that make great gifts ... dish towels, pot holders, and the "Buongiorno" guest towels shown at the top of this post, And for fun, how about some adorable outfits for your wine bottles?

So, this gives you a hint of some ideas just from two shops! Imagine if you take the time to really explore Stresa's merchants, what goodies you'll find... And not a bad way to spend a rainy day, or any day!

Many of the items that I have written about in older posts on this gift topic are still available, or very similar newer versions are. Scroll through the posts in the Shopping section for more ideas.