Eiffel Tower Scissors And Other Souvenirs
Going on vacation can be fun and relaxing, especially if you go somewhere very exciting and different from the place where you live. Most people feel the desire to share that excitement with their friends and loved ones. One way many people do this is by buying souvenirs to take back with them and give as gifts. In any tourist destination, there are gift shops full of Eiffel Tower scissors, snow globes of New York City, or tiny replicas of Big Ben.
While shopping for souvenirs can be a lot of fun, it can also cause stress. This is especially true if you do not plan ahead, and find yourself running frantically around gift shops on the final day of your trip, trying to check names off of your list. Here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Set a spending limit. Like all stores, gift shops rely on impulse purchasing for a lot of their sales. When you do not have a budget in mind, you are especially susceptible to this. Most people are less careful with money in general when they are on vacation. Decide ahead of time how much you can afford to spend, and stick to that limit.
Make your gifts personal. Get things that you know each person will use and appreciate. Bring you writer friend a pen and a notebook. If you know someone who bakes, bring them oven mitts. Find things that let each person know you thought of them individually.
3. Think creatively. You do not have to purchase everything from a gift shop or souvenir shop. Most tourist destinations will also have other kinds of stores. Lots of the people on your list might actually prefer a nice candle or a specialty food item rather than a t-shirt or knick knack bearing the name of the place you've been. After all, if that person was not there with you, they might feel strange wearing a t-shirt from somewhere they have never been.
4. Buy small, non-fragile items. Things like pens and key chains are much easier to pack than larger, more awkward items. You probably have limited luggage space, especially if you are flying. Sometimes you can get away with carrying an extra shopping bag, but airlines are getting more and more rigid with their carry-on regulations. For this reason, find souvenirs that will easily fit into your luggage.
5. Do not wait until the last minute. To make your last day of vacation enjoyable and stress-free, plan ahead and do most of your souvenir shopping before the last day. That way, you can relax and enjoy the final hours of your vacation, rather than spending them in crowded, overheated gift shops, waiting on long lines and becoming frustrated because you can't find everything you need.
Souvenirs are a great way of sharing your trip with loved ones and making them feel included. They will surely appreciate the Eiffel Tower scissors, the New York City shot glass, or the San Francisco t-shirt. Follow the tips above for savvy, stress-free souvenir shopping.
While shopping for souvenirs can be a lot of fun, it can also cause stress. This is especially true if you do not plan ahead, and find yourself running frantically around gift shops on the final day of your trip, trying to check names off of your list. Here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Set a spending limit. Like all stores, gift shops rely on impulse purchasing for a lot of their sales. When you do not have a budget in mind, you are especially susceptible to this. Most people are less careful with money in general when they are on vacation. Decide ahead of time how much you can afford to spend, and stick to that limit.
Make your gifts personal. Get things that you know each person will use and appreciate. Bring you writer friend a pen and a notebook. If you know someone who bakes, bring them oven mitts. Find things that let each person know you thought of them individually.
3. Think creatively. You do not have to purchase everything from a gift shop or souvenir shop. Most tourist destinations will also have other kinds of stores. Lots of the people on your list might actually prefer a nice candle or a specialty food item rather than a t-shirt or knick knack bearing the name of the place you've been. After all, if that person was not there with you, they might feel strange wearing a t-shirt from somewhere they have never been.
4. Buy small, non-fragile items. Things like pens and key chains are much easier to pack than larger, more awkward items. You probably have limited luggage space, especially if you are flying. Sometimes you can get away with carrying an extra shopping bag, but airlines are getting more and more rigid with their carry-on regulations. For this reason, find souvenirs that will easily fit into your luggage.
5. Do not wait until the last minute. To make your last day of vacation enjoyable and stress-free, plan ahead and do most of your souvenir shopping before the last day. That way, you can relax and enjoy the final hours of your vacation, rather than spending them in crowded, overheated gift shops, waiting on long lines and becoming frustrated because you can't find everything you need.
Souvenirs are a great way of sharing your trip with loved ones and making them feel included. They will surely appreciate the Eiffel Tower scissors, the New York City shot glass, or the San Francisco t-shirt. Follow the tips above for savvy, stress-free souvenir shopping.