I think that one of the greatest cultural phenomena to come out of the digital boom is the return to autobiographical writing. While some may scoff at my categorization of something as simple as a tweet or a Facebook post as autobiographical, I think there is much to be said for writing about the self in any capacity. After all, diaries and personal letters of historical figures are often regarded as exceptionally valuable, as they provide firsthand insight into the individual’s life and experiences.

My opinion may be biased, as I’ve been a formal student of Creative Writing since my early teenage years, and was even trained as a Creative Writing teacher. I soaked up every lesson available on the subject and was a voracious reader. As the years progressed, memoir writing quickly became my favorite genre, as it helped me sort out every new feeling that accompanied another year of life.

I remember speaking about wanting to write autobiographically as my profession during my college interview for an Ivy League university. The professor scoffed and replied that a seventeen-year-old had no stories worthy of telling. Another teacher mentioned that although I was clearly a talented writer, there was no money in this craft. In my eyes, opinions such as these are the reason why women’s voices have been erased from so much of history. As you can probably guess, I listened to no one.

At just shy of twenty-five, I can reflect and see how clearly this path was laid before me. Nothing had ever resonated with me as deeply as writing my stories and sharing them with others, finding the human connection in this simple yet profound act of intimacy. This year, my New Year’s resolution is to return to my personal writing. Although I love writing the copy you read for our beautiful handcrafted treasures, my New Year’s Resolution for 2018 is to remember to keep telling my own stories, and this blog will be a great place to start. I am forever grateful to Terri and to Uno Alla Volta for giving my voice a platform, and for helping me prove the naysayers wrong.

-Anna, Assistant Marketing Manager- Content

Pannetone is a Christmas treat sold all over the world. It is a holiday sweet bread, enriched with eggs and butter and studded with a variety of dried and candied fruits. It is usually on a dramatic display in the grocery store, in colorful, over-sized boxes to fit its unique shape. Here on the Connecticut shoreline, and even around New York and New Jersey, the dense population of Italian-American families and their demand for goods like these makes them readily available. Outside the area, you may need to search for an Italian import store if you’re looking for a taste of this treat.

Many people enjoy pannetone as a dessert item alongside sparkling prosecco or moscato wine. Some prefer to treat is as a cake and eat it alongside espresso or their favorite coffee. In my family, we like to pop slices of it under the broiler with salted butter. If you’re a fan of cinnamon raisin toast, I would suggest this method.

Although no one is quite sure how this delicious bread came to be, there are many fun origin legends. One legend is that a young bakery assistant named Toni had thrown together a sweet bread with leftover kitchen scraps, just to use them up. Some legends add that the unique domed shape came from Toni baking the bread in a flowerpot. On that same night, the head chef had burnt his dessert for a very important dinner and needed a replacement, so he served Toni’s bread out of pure necessity. Luckily, all the guests loved the bread, and the result was so amazing that they began to call the recipe il pan di Toni or “Toni’s bread.”

Another legend is that a young man named Ughetto fell in love with a young woman named Adalgisa, who was the daughter of the town baker. The baker did not approve of their romance, so Ughetto kept baking cakes in order to win the baker’s approval. As he continued to do this and the recipe improved, the baker finally agreed to let him court his daughter, and the two lived, as in many legends, happily ever after, with the pannetone to thank for their union.

Whichever legend you believe in, or if you think there were other origins entirely, this is still an undoubtedly delicious Christmas tradition. This year, my mother and I have vowed to turn this holiday bread into decadent French toast for breakfast on Christmas morning. Who knows, we may even have a totally new tradition on our hands!

-Anna, Assistant Marketing Manager -Content

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is eaten on Christmas Eve in Italian-American households. Although is often an even bigger meal than Thanksgiving dinner, it is considered a fast because no meat is involved. (A brilliant loophole, if you ask me.) This dinner stemmed from the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Fridays, especially during Lent. As someone who has always preferred fish to meat, this is a fast I could commit to at any time of year.

When cooking this meal, every element of family life seems to amplify. There are arguments over recipes and responsibilities, tears shed for loved ones who have passed, and of course, the joys of sharing a delicious meal. Cooking is another art form from the heart and hands, with traditions as intricate as those of lampworkers or potters. Elements of cooking become muscle memory over the years, as the family chefs became the artisans of this particular tradition. As a culture, we are finally starting to recognize the huge sociological value of skills such as cooking, which were previously diminutively considered “women’s work.” Growing up as a young woman in a very Italian, very Catholic family, I have always felt a particular reverence toward these traditions, because there is a day I will be the matriarch, and all these recipes will need to be at my fingertips.

Although exact menus will vary from family to family, there are some standard dishes for this meal. At our table, there is usually fried shrimp and fried calamari, which my mother would lightly bread with seasoned flour. There is also crabs and spaghetti, often made from crabs that my father had caught in the warmer months and froze. There is also baccala, or salted cod, still dried and preserved the old-fashioned way, then soaked in water for a few days to rehydrate, changing the water intermittently. Some people even soak this in the bathtub, which is quite a sight! During the holiday season, these old-world ways of doing things seem even more important.

Scungilli, or whelk, is probably one of the most exotic of the dishes served. Scungilli is an inky looking sea snail that is served boiled, thinly sliced, and seasoned with lemon, garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt, and red pepper flakes. Although it’s not my favorite dish, I still appreciate its value as a tradition.

Every December 24^th, this meal marks the passing of another year. As a child, this dinner or any of these dishes would remind me of my mother and my grandmothers, and all the warm Christmases of prior years. This year, the abundant seafood dishes will likely conjure memories of Venice, where I ate similar dishes this March while travelling for Uno. (You can read my travel logs of this amazing journey here!) The older I get, the more these traditions mean to me. As I age and I am trusted to cook things myself, I am further woven into the threads of my heritage, and feel even closer to the women who came before me. If I ever become a mother myself, the emotions involved with this dinner will morph once again, as I pass these traditions down to my own children.

-Anna, Assistant Marketing Manager- Content

It seems like no matter who you’re speaking to about the subject, everyone has some Rockwellian memory of baking Christmas cookies with an older loved one as a child. These formative memories shape our traditions in adulthood, and help create the warm nostalgia of the holidays.

My favorite Christmas cookies are an old, Southern Italian recipe for chocolate clove cookies. When my family makes them, the dough is studded with chopped walnuts and candied orange peel. I would tell you what these cookies are called, but the problem is, I have no idea! My family calls them muzzette, which is a word I cannot translate, and I can’t find another recipe of the same name anywhere. Other recipes call them mostaccioli or pizzette. You can call them whatever you want, but I promise you they’re delicious!

This family recipe is so closely guarded that my mother wouldn’t even share it with me, so I found the closest replica I could here. Nothing goes better with coffee, hot cocoa, or even espresso than these spicy chocolate cookies. These are perfect for a cookie swap, because they have a rich, complex flavor that is so different from any other cookie. Leave the gingerbread men and sugar cookies to someone else this year!

-Anna, Assistant Marketing Manager- Content

If you really want to wow your guests, serve these cookies on this exclusive Polish pottery tray. They’ll still be swooning over your dish even after the food is finished!

Exclusively For Uno Alla Volta

The De Carlini family workshop has been creating collectible glass ornaments since 1947. Founders Enrico and Elisa passed the business down to their daughter Rosa, who continues the family tradition with her husband, son, and daughter-in-law, mouth-blowing each piece from fiery glass, heating to over 1400°F, and then individually decorating each piece. Handcrafted just outside Milan, Italy, the fashion capital of the world, these exclusive ornaments are each meticulously adorned in the fashions of a particular decade, from their bold hats to their jewelry and footwear. Only 250 of each design will ever be made, and signature gift packaging is included for free!

Zelda, our lady of the ’20s

As if she had just stepped out of her favorite speakeasy, ”Zelda” is wearing a gold flapper dress with matching gloves, a long pearl necklace, and a bold feathered headband.

Audrey, our lady of the ’30s

Our ”Audrey” ornament is bedazzled from head to toe with a bright blue pea coat, a sparkling royal blue clutch, and a bold, wide-brimmed hat with an over-sized bow.

Ginger, our lady of the ’40s

“Ginger” is impeccably dressed with a pink, fur-trimmed wrap dress, a black muff, and a matching hot pink beret.

Marilyn, our lady of the ’50s

Style-savvy ”Marilyn” is wearing a black and white plaid blazer with a bold belt, a black pencil skirt, a red turban, and an adorable red purse.

Jackie, our lady of the ’60s

In elegant ’60s style, ”Jackie” is adorned with a yellow dress, a matching pillbox hat, and a pearl necklace.

Madison, our lady of the ’70s

”Madison” is wearing sparkling black go-go boots and a sleek silver suit, complete with a stylish headband and silver beaded necklace.

It’s not just here in the USA that poinsettias are synonymous with Christmas. In Mexico and Central America, these brilliantly-colored plants are known as Flor de la Noche Buena, or the Flower of The Holy Night, and are used to celebrate Christmas Eve. Legend has it that a young girl named Maria was crying because she had no money to buy a gift to give as an offering to Jesus at the nativity scene. To comfort Maria, her brother Pablo suggested that she pick a bouquet of weeds on the side of the road, assuring her that even the most modest of gifts was still a gift in the eyes of God. The legend continues that as Maria laid her bundle of weeds at the altar, they bloomed into the rich, red leaves of a poinsettia, leaving the crowd awestruck.

In Italian, these blossoms are referred to as stelle di Natale, or Christmas stars, for their unique pointed shape, and as a nod to the Star of Bethlehem in the biblical Christmas story.

In English, we refer to these plants as poinsettias after John Poinsett, the Mexican ambassador who brought these flowering shrubs from America from Mexico in 1828. No matter what you call these beautiful blossoms, we hope you’ll enjoy our collection of goods from across the globe, each lovingly handcrafted to celebrate this unique winter plant.

Poinsettia Ring With Swarovski Crystals

Capodimonte Porcelain Poinsettia

Poinsettia Venetian Glass Necklace

Everlasting Wooden Poinsettias

Hand-Gilded Poinsettia Wine Glass

Venetian Glass Poinsettia Barrette

Shopping for a friend with fabulous fashion sense? Handcrafted by skilled artisans around the world, these treasures are sure to fit into the wardrobes of even the most distinguished dressers.

Florentine And Venetian Glittering Clutch

Combining rich Florentine fabrics with a gold-infused Venetian glass bead, this clutch will elevate any outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

Black And Gold Sculptural Scarf

Inspired by the wild beauty of tropical plants, our artisan Tammy creates this unique statement piece.

Avi’s Textured Gold Teardrop Pearl Earrings

Combining classical elegance with modern texture and design, Avi handcrafts these stylish earrings.

The ”Janine” Cloche

With a wool felt base and black velvet band and trim, this monochromatic hat is perfectly accented with an over-sized bow and a vintage-style faux pearl brooch.

Elegant Grey Alpaca Shawl

This classically colored alpaca shawl is timelessly elegant. Because it is made from one of nature’s most renewable materials, it is eco-friendly as well.

Buying for someone who loves to entertain? These dramatic home décor pieces are sure to make a statement at their next soiree.

Icy Tealight Holder

Handcrafted by master glass artisans, each tealight holder looks as if it were carved from iridescent ice. These unique decorations will add a wintry sparkle to any room.

Polish Pottery Christmas Tree Platter

Featuring a holiday motif of poinsettia and pine, this serving tray will make holiday treats even more special.

Handcrafted Florentine Centerpiece Candle

With its opulent gold color and richly textured design, this candle is a complete centerpiece in and of itself.

Screen Wire Angel Figurine

Angels are a beautiful holiday gift because they can be left out all year round to represent peace, serenity, and faith.

Venetian Glass Candle Holder And Vase

A true innovation, both in design and material, this ingenious creation allows you to arrange flowers perfectly around a glowing taper candle.