Italian Artisan Suggests Personalized Messages on Gifts

Alexandria, VA — Gifting with personal messages is not a new idea, but with the help of a certain young Italian, the process can be especially enchanting. At a kick-off reception hosted by the gift and lifestyle shop Crème de la Crème, 907 King St. in Old Town, shoppers were treated to a demonstration of how easy it is to personalize dinnerware and other items to achieve a unique personalized charm for gifts.

Cristian Massaro is a “maestro artisan” for Vietri (handcrafted Italian dinnerware, home, and garden decor) on tour in America, having already appeared at similar lifestyle and gift shops in Ft. Worth, Austin, Longview, Shreveport, and Hillsboro. Massaro demonstrated his creative skills and finesse with hand-painted Italian phrases to an appreciative crowd at the Old Town store. Many of the observers said they attended the event specifically to see Massaro, who will travel next to Columbus and Birmingham. 

Massaro came prepared with a page of Italian phrases to make the personalization messages “irresistibly Italian.” Among the most popular choices were Buon Appetito (Enjoy the meal), Dio ti benedica (God’s blessings), Auguri (Best wishes), and, of course, number 19 on the list: Che le benedizioni del natale sia sempre con voi (May the blessings of Christmas be with you always).

As customers browsed and took turns standing in line, French singer Mirelle Matchieu’s lyrical voice crooned seasonal songs such as Noel Blanc (White Christmas) as the large in-vase Crème de la Crème candles scented the store with scents of pomegranate peel and amber. The international scene was cozy, festive, and soothing.

Marlene Vega, an Alexandria auditor who collects Vietri, said Massaro was very welcoming and open, adding that she is a “very big” small business supporter as her family once operated one. “It was a lovely event. I was very happy with my plate – he (Massaro) recreated the design on the plate’s border,” Vega said. “I really love Crème de la Crème. It is an ambiance. It is not just a store; it feels homey.”

Store owner Tara Wegdam said Massaro was “amazing” and very well received. He was “so excited that everyone was so interested.” Wegdam said that as Massaro continues touring the country, Susan Gravely, the founder of Vietri handcrafted dinnerware, would be personalizing the ceramic line with Italian phrases or personalized messages for holiday gift giving up until Dec. 7. Stop by or call the Old Town store at 571-569-6369.