A Gift for Every Personality at the Italian American Christmas Table
Christmas Eve is the big one. The fish is on the stove, somebody's on the way with a bakery box, and the kitchen is so full you have to say excuse me to reach the sink. Everyone at that table has their part, and you already know who plays which. So we picked a shirt for each of them.
Scusi
For the one who's been cooking since this morning and still won't sit down.
Scusi means excuse me, as in coming through with a hot pan. In a kitchen this full on Christmas Eve, you'll hear it all night. Said here by a very happy tomato, on a pale blue-green tee.
“I bought it for a gift and when it came it was better than expected. Very nice material- quality- and the design is just adorable! I highly recommend these shirts! I will be buying more!”
Gabagool
For the one who handles the deli run and always comes back with extra.
It's capicola on the label and gabagool at the counter. One word in white script on navy, said the way it's said at home. The person who gets it will get it instantly, which is the whole point of a gift like this.
“Really cool t-shirt for my son's birthday. Got the grey one; he liked it so much we ordered another in blue.”
Pasta Shapes
For the one who decides which pasta goes with which sauce, and won't be talked out of it.
Rigatoni, farfalle, orecchiette, the ones you know and the two you have to look up. A hand-drawn field guide to the pasta aisle on a faded charcoal tee. For the person who insists the shape matters. It does.
“Love it. Make my own pasta so it fits my personality well.”
Negroni
For the one who has a drink in your hand before you've taken your coat off.
Gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, in equal parts. Negroni people know what they like and don't need the menu. One word in white script on crimson.
“Bought it as a birthday present for my wife, she loves it! Already one of her favorites!”
Seven fishes. Nobody counts.
On Christmas Eve, plenty of Italian American families skip the meat and serve fish instead, course after course: fried calamari, shrimp, salt cod. It's called the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and it's more Italian American than Italian. The name first showed up in print in 1983, in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Is it really seven? Depends who's cooking. Plenty of families don't count, and that's become part of the joke. If someone at your table runs the fish, these two are for them.
Rainbow Cookie
For the one who never walks in empty-handed.
Three layers of almond cake, jam between, chocolate on top. Not really a cookie, and nobody cares. If a bakery box shows up at your house every Christmas, you know exactly who's carrying it. A small chest print on an ivory tee.
“I love my rainbow cookie t shirt more than actual rainbow cookies!”
Pistachios
For the one who goes straight for anything pistachio on the dessert table.
Pistachio cannoli, pistachio gelato, pistachio anything. Some people choose the flavor first and the dessert second. One word in yellow block letters on a moss green tee.
“As soon as I saw the pistachios T-shirt I had to order it for my pistachio loving husband!!!! The shirt is so soft and the color is amazing. I can’t wait for him to open it on Christmas morning.”
Espresso
For the one who puts the espresso on while everyone's still at the table.
Dinner's done, nobody's leaving, and someone is at the stove making espresso for the whole table. Arched letters over a cup and saucer, white on black.
“Gave this as a gift and the person said it’s great.”
Getting the size right
Order their usual t-shirt size
Unisex cut, true to size, a little relaxed through the body. Most women order their usual size; go up one if they like it oversized.
Wrong size? Thirty days to swap it
Request a size exchange within 30 days of delivery, unworn and unwashed, and we sort it out.
Printed to order
Each shirt is printed when you order it and most US orders arrive within 7 to 10 business days. For Christmas, order by Friday, December 4.
A real person answers
When you reach out, you're not talking to a jerky bot. You're talking to us.
What people say
“I got this for my dad and he received at least a half dozen comments and head nods on the graphic. IYKYK!”
“I gave it to my brother for his birthday !! He loved it !! We are Italian so it resonates!!”
“I bought both shirts as gifts, and I couldn't be more satisfied. The shirts themselves are of excellent quality, and the graphics are so much fun! I know my friend will love them! Thank you!”
“This was in the gift pile for our daughter turning 40! She is an oyster loving gal from Alabama!”
Why these shirts
Questions
What size do I get them?
Their usual t-shirt size. It's a unisex cut, true to size, a little relaxed through the body with a bit of extra length. If they like things oversized, go up one.
What if it doesn't fit?
You've got 30 days from delivery to request a size exchange or a return, as long as it's unworn and unwashed. If anything arrives damaged, send us a photo and we replace it free.
Will it arrive in time for Christmas?
Each shirt is printed to order and goes into production the night you order it. Most US orders arrive within 7 to 10 business days. For Christmas, order by Friday, December 4 to be safe. Free shipping on US orders over $75.
What if I can't tell which one they are?
Go with Scusi, number one. It works for anyone who has ever squeezed through a full kitchen.
Do these come in a sweatshirt?
Every shirt in the list does, and the sweatshirt is linked under each one. It's the warmer gift for anyone north of Philadelphia.
What's the fabric like?
100% ring-spun cotton from Comfort Colors, garment dyed, which is why the colors look lived-in instead of flat and why it feels soft right out of the bag.
See everything Italian
Seventy-nine designs, from the cookie tray to the whole pasta aisle.
Shop the Italian collection