Returning home in September for Italians abroad: nostalgia or a new beginning?

Summer is over, the suitcases are closed, and it’s back to routine. For many, September is the month of new beginnings. But for those who live abroad, it can have a different flavor.
Some have just returned to Italy for a short vacation and leave again with their hearts full of hugs and family meals. Others couldn’t make it back and face September with a mix of melancholy.

In this article, we want to speak to you, Italian expat, who right now find yourself at an emotional crossroads: nostalgia or new start? And above all, how can you feel closer to home, even from afar?

Homesickness: what do we miss the most?

Nostalgia is not just a romantic idea. It’s made of concrete gestures, of small daily rituals that are often missing outside of Italy: the smell of coffee in the morning, a Sunday lunch with the whole family, shopping at the little store around the corner where they know your name.

That’s why September becomes a “stock-up” moment for many expats.
A stock of flavors, traditions, comfort. This is why many Italians abroad start the month with a Vico Box: to fill the pantry—and, in a way, the heart too.
A jar of basil sauce, rough-textured pasta like grandma used to make, classic Italian cookies: just a few of these things are enough to recreate Italy in a foreign kitchen.

The expat routine: between melancholy and new goals

September, as we know, is also the month of good intentions. Whether you live in London, Berlin, or Barcelona, it’s the perfect time to start over… without forgetting where you come from.
The key? Bring Italian culture into your new routine.

Here are a few ideas:

• Create a weekly tradition: for example, gnocchi on Thursdays, just like at home. A pack of Garofalo gnocchi and you’re good to go.

• Host a 100% Italian dinner with your local friends: cook, tell stories, share memories.

• Make a list of "products that make me feel at home" and always keep them with you. You might start with a delicious Mamma Mia pistachio cream, perfect when nostalgia hits the hardest.

These small gestures won’t erase the distance, but they’ll make it sweeter.

Vico Food Box: your piece of Italy just a click away

Living far from Italy doesn’t mean giving up the flavors, scents, and habits that make you feel like “you.” With Vico Food Box, you can always have a corner of Italy with you, wherever you are in Europe or the UK. On the website, you’ll find over 4,000 authentic Italian products, carefully selected for Italians abroad. Take a look:

• The artisanal Pastaelisan, made the traditional way;

• The Playtime Danish biscuits, perfect for a sweet break;

• The iconic Pan di Stelle spread, for those nostalgic about Italian breakfasts;

• Lavazza coffee, which smells like home every morning.

September may be the most nostalgic month of the year, but it’s also the one filled with the most hope.
Living far away doesn’t mean breaking ties but reinventing them, carrying them with you in new ways.
Sometimes all it takes is a plate of pasta, a shared snack, or a quick coffee to remind you who you are.
Because in the end, Italy is not just a place: it’s a way of living, eating, feeling.
And thanks to Vico Food Box, it’s a way of life you can take with you, wherever you are.