Tips for Shopping on Vacation
Stortorgets Julmarknad is a holiday market housed in Stockholm's Old Town (Gamla Stan) (2023)
I’m a shopper. I cannot help it, it’s in my blood (thanks mom). Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that help me balance the joy of shopping with my husband’s practicality and lack of enthusiasm for shopping. I’ve brought some wonderful items back from our travels in Peru, Ireland, England, Paris, Italy, Australia, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and more. I cherish our mementos from these places, particularly during the 49 weeks of the year when I cannot travel and am working 40+ hours a week—seeing the Peruvian sacred cows or the Australian boomerang reminds me that there’s always an amazing experience on the horizon. So, before you pack for your next trip, here’s how to prepare for an enjoyable shopping experience.
Tragicomica shop in Venice, Italy (2023)
First, I recommend you do a little research on what the locality is famous for. In Venice, the masks are quite spectacular; in France, perfume is a must; and in New Mexico, USA, it is turquoise and silver. Make sure you also look for the local food specialties that can travel with you or be recreated at home.
Second, you will definitely want to take a look at your budget and stick to it. Even if it seems like it would be super-special to get a designer handbag or other fashion item from its home country, it can be a big let-down when the credit card bill arrives if it was not a planned purchase. With that said, I can tell you I have splurged on unique items (like a mask from Tragicomica) and have not regretted it, but I had planned for that expense. I have also splurged on gorgeous perfumes from Perfums Caron in Paris and feel amazing every time I wear them. Again, these were planned expenses.
Third, pack for your return flight. I know way too many friends who pack their suitcase so full of different outfits for each day and evening they have no room for “extras” on the return flight. Huge mistake! I pack in a minimalist way so that I leave enough room (about 1/3 to 1/2 of the space) for my shopping loot on the return. Another trick I learned is to pack an extra soft-sided duffle into the bag—this gives you a lot of extra space on the way home. And, if you are traveling overseas, it is often less expensive to pay for the extra checked bag than to try to buy the item online from home later and have it shipped. Check your airline in advance so you can be prepared for an extra bag charge if you need it.
Fourth, pack for packing breakables. Don’t judge, I know it’s crazy, but I pack a roll of bubble wrap. Yep—every trip. That’s how I got the sacred cows back from Peru. Years ago, I was tired of my husband telling me not to buy things because, “how are you going to get them home? They’ll break.” No more—I’ve got my bubble wrap. After you get back from the trip, be sure to save the bubble wrap (just store it in your suitcase) to take on your next journey!
Fifth, pack some gallon size Ziploc bags (or reusable zip-top bags) and be sure to throw in two (2) Wine Skins (or similar brand) per person. Another situation where it seems totally nuts and unnecessary. But, I tend to buy local food products to enjoy back home (think local honey, olive oil, wine, local liqueurs, etc.). These liquid luxuries could get pretty messy if they opened up in flight. So, I’ll wrap a jar of local honey in bubble wrap, pop it in a Ziploc bag and, voila!, no mess if there’s breakage. The Wine Skins are great for alcohol, but also work well for olive oil and other liquids. Be sure to reuse these bags too—just store them in your suitcase with the bubble wrap.
Sixth, remember who you’re shopping with. When I’m with my hubby, I know that my shopping must be fairly quick and decisive or he’s going to get antsy. But, if there’s a café nearby and he’s ready for a rest, I have a little more time in shops close to that café. So, always be mindful of your travel partner’s interests. My husband is not so jazzed about browsing clothing stores with me but is more than happy to stroll through Laduree in Paris for macarons, or pasta in Venice Italy at Pastificio Giacomo Rizzo.
Seventh, plan ahead. If there is a particular shop that has “the” thing you want, be sure to map it out in comparison to some of the sights you’ll visit. There is nothing more annoying than spending valuable vacation time to backtrack to an area of town you’ve already been. Your travel partner(s) will thank you.
Fendi holiday display on Champs-Élysées in Paris, France (2023)
As you can tell, I’ve had my fair share of positive experiences because I’ve prepared to shop and securely return with the items I have purchased. Even though I travel for the sights, cultures and experiences, I have found the shopping experiences equally rewarding. Chatting with a store clerk can often give you insights into the local area you may never have experienced. One attentive employee at Lush in London let me to an amazing Turkish restaurant I would have never found on my own. So, be sure to engage with the shopkeepers and their employees, they are a wealth of knowledge and often enjoy providing information about their local community.
