Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Savvy Souvenir Shopping: Eiffel Tower Scissors And More

By Jerri Perry


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.

Choosing souvenirs can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful. Lots of people find themselves frantically searching gift shops on the last day of their trip, trying to find the perfect gift for each person on their list. Here are a few tips for wise souvenir shopping.

1. Set a realistic budget. We all spend money a little more carelessly than usual on vacation. Add this to the fact that gift shops (like other stores) encourage impulse buying, and you create a potential financial disaster. Avoid this by setting a budget and refusing to exceed it.

2. Make your gifts personally relevant. Gifts should reflect the things you know about the person you are giving them to. If you have a brother who cooks a lot, bring him oven mitts. For a friend who is a writer, bring a special pen. Knick knacks like snow globes and spoons should only go to people who you know collect that sort of thing.

3. Get creative. You do not have to bring everyone gifts that are overtly specific to the place you went. You could bring a candle, a nice bottle of wine, or some other non-souvenir item. Often, this kind of gift is appreciated more than a traditional souvenir. No one really wants to wear a t-shirt from a city they have never visited, but anyone can appreciate a nice candle or specialty food item.

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.

Souvenir shopping can be fun, and can be a nice way to share your trip with others, if you do it in a savvy manner. Whether you come home with Eiffel Tower scissors, a London shot glass, or a t-shirt with Niagara Falls on the front, your loved one will appreciate the fact that you thought to bring them something.




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