Shopping on Vacation
Do you shop like a tourist?
“I don’t know why I bought this.”
“They talked me into it and talked so fast.”
“I was enjoying the moment.”
“I thought I would wear it.”
Does this sound like you when you unpack from a vacation? Tshirts, shot glasses, spoons, and mugs are great keepsake collectibles when you visit a new place, (the tshirts need their own box in the attic or under a bed. The remaining items need a China cabinet, a shelf or a designated cabinet), but what happens when you open the suitcase and realize, “I’m never going to wear this.” I’m not here to ruin your travel experience. If you like buying junk and sharing it with your family to show that you, “we’re thinking about them”, go forth. However, if you are tired of returning home with a bunch of stuff you will never use and wasting money, I think I can help.
You don’t remember buying a glittery ball cap with “Caliente Cozumel and you’re wondering what to do with it. First and foremost, don’t try to pass this stuff off as a gift. If you don’t want it, why would they? What do you do with it? Be honest. You know it’s going to sit in the closet hoping it sees daylight on Cinco de Mayo, but by then you will have forgotten about it. You were shopping like a tourist because it’s fun, until you get home.
Shopping on vacation can be a lot of fun so here are a few tips:
1. Pass the grab-n-go items at the front of the store and venture further in. You can find some real treasures if you know what you were looking for and how to shop. Don’t pick up anything until you have searched through the entire store. Whatever items you remember, backtrack and give them a second look.
2. If you can bring back food and beverage items, pick up some of those because they can be consumed and it’s fun to try something different.
3. Jewelry is a good choice because it doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase. Be sure you know exactly what you will wear it with and where before you make a purchase. If you think you will figure it out when you get home, you probably won’t. The same goes for handbags. I usually find a great hat when I travel but I have to kiss a lot of cheap, ugly, hokey frogs before I find the right one.
4. If you are pressed on time, skip the clothing unless your vacation is for the purpose of shopping. Look and feel the fabric quality. “Locally made”? Do you see them sitting there making it? Ask yourself, what is in my closet right now that remotely looks like this? Nothing? Then now is not the time to decide you need to incorporate vicuña wool or colored beads into your wardrobe. Then ask yourself, when I get home, when and where am I going to wear this? (Halloween doesn’t count.) I bought this blue and green bag in Mexico because I knew it would go great with this dress that was already in my closet. The store merchants don’t care about you so don’t worry about hurting their feelings.
Remember, it’s ok to go home with just memories. (Hat from Mexico)