Most of us would agree that gifts are wonderful to give and receive, but during the holidays they often bring some anxiety: how to find the right gift for everyone, but everyone? I am here to help you with fun and original ideas. The characters in this article are: the sportsman, the person who never stops asking you what you’re going to do on New Year’s Eve, the influencer, the vegan, the relative who asks you every time when you’re going to have children (or, if you already have them, why you’re not having more), and, finally, the most feared cliché of all… the mother-in-law!
Lo sportivo
“A glass of wine at Christmas is worth more than an hour on the treadmill…as long as you don’t count it as calories!”
The sportsman is the person with a fixation on the gym and fitness, the one who at Christmas counts the calories of each dish and at each of your indulgences, picks you up reminding you that the swimsuit test is approaching. For him, the ideal gift is a comparative chart showing that the calories of a red wine are higher than those of a white wine, but that the residual sugar is usually lower. In short, as long as it’s just a glass and not a bottle, we can give them a little Christmas treat too!
Dumb and Dumber (Scemo & più scemo), 1944
La persona che chiede sempre di Capodanno
“Whether toasting alone or with company, as long as it’s bubbles of wine and merriment!”
New Year’s Eve divides everyone: there are those who already know in October what to do, those who are last-minute, and those who ask every time they see you, “What are you going to do on New Year’s Eve?” For these characters, the solution is simple: a perfect wine to toast! Bubbles always do the trick. Whether it’s a classic method Alta Langa, a Franciacorta, a Moscato Spumante or a Prosecco, here’s the perfect gift for those who can never make up their minds.
The Great Gatsby (Il grabde Gatsby), 2013
L’influencer
“A toast to the rhythm of symphony to make your reels shine, too!”
We all have an influencer in our lives: those who used to be photographers, then models, then artists, and now are DJs. For them, we give the gift of a wine grown to the rhythm of music! In Italy there are some that mature under the magical baton of Maestro Beppe Vessicchio, enchanting the rows of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and still others that vibrate to the notes of Mozart, in the Brunello di Montalcino area. A perfect gift for those who love to tell stories (and look good) on social media.
Euphoria, 2019 – in corso
Il vegano
“For a toast that respects the planet and the palate.”
The vegan is always looking for cruelty-free and sustainable products. For them, a great idea is an organic wine, perhaps certified vegan, that does not use substances of animal origin in the winemaking processes. Besides being an ethical choice, an organic wine has a quality that will surely satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Il parente che chiede sempre dei figli
“A clone for every prying question!”
Then there is the relative who never misses an opportunity to ask you about children. Every Christmas it’s the same script: “And when are you going to have children?” For this person, the perfect gift is a Sangiovese! This wine has as many as 114 clones: you can choose from a Chianti Classico, a Brunello di Montalcino or a Nobile di Montepulciano. That way your affectionate relative can console himself with the multiplication of the wine instead of your offspring.
The Godfather (Il Padrino), 1972
La suocera
“A gift that says, ‘I know, nothing will ever measure up, but I tried!'”
Finally, we cannot forget the mother-in-law, the most feared character when it comes to gifts. But it is not so difficult to surprise her! Let’s aim for an elegant wine, perhaps a Bordolese from Trentino Alto Adige, voted Wine of the Year 2025 by Gambero Rosso. To add a special touch, accompany it with a fine wine accessory: a decanter, a set of tasting glasses or a designer corkscrew. With a curated and elegant gift, the hit will be assured.
La ciociara, 1960
With these cues, every character in your life will have their perfect gift–and maybe even a few extra laughs during the holidays!
The article Six characters in search of … holiday wine! comes from TheNewyorker.
