Christmas Shopping?

If you'll be looking for unique Italian gifts to bring home, one place to check out (even if you're not looking for gifts) is the pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. 

Known for centuries as the place to go in Florence for perfumes, lotions and herbal remedies, the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is still going strong. 

You can read all about the Farmaceutica and see some of their products on their web site here: http://www.smnovella.it/en/home.asp?idc=286

Smithsonian Magazine wrote about it here:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/heaven-scent.html?c=y&page=1

The New York Times covered it here:  http://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/26/travel/shopper-s-world-florentine-potions-for-sale.html?sec=travel&pagewanted=1