# What do you buy for yourself, on vacation? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 3, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659 "2007-05-03T20:01:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/21 "2007-05-04T11:19:50Z")
Art. Cheap artwork. Street vendor oils and watercolors. Especially of the cities wherever I happen to be. E-Z souvenirs and they look nice on the walls. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/22 "2007-05-04T11:34:21Z")
Our house is chock full of interesting stuff bought back from overseas- everything from cans of Coca-Cola from France to a small guitar from Mexico to an “Underground” plaque from London (a scaled-down version of the ones on the wall of Tube stations, made by the same people and sold by London Transport) to a radio from the US, to an Akubra hat from here in Australia… amongst other things gathered from the four corners of the globe! I call it my “Collection of Interesting Things”. My Mum calls it “Crap you’ve carted back from the other side of the planet”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/23 "2007-05-04T12:29:49Z")
Earrings. Or cookbooks. Very occasionally, something to display. In Savannah, I got an aged-brass looking figurine of a man playing a French Horn; kind of abstract, and I loved it. But it has to be pretty cool to overcome the “If I have to dust it, I don’t want it” rule. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/24 "2007-05-04T12:38:40Z")
A pen/pencil that looks cute (e.g. the space-shuttle-shaped pencil from Kennedy Space Center). Or a Christmas ornament if I see one I like. Not too costly, doesn’t take up too much space, and I can glance at the small item and remember the trip with pleasure. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/25 "2007-05-04T12:47:17Z")
CDs, lots and lots of CDs. I try and buy something local if I’m in another country. I used to have a lot of other crap, but I don’t do that any more. It just costs money and I don’t do anything with it. At least with the CD I can listen to it. ---
**Author:** ![Terrorcotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@Terrorcotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrorcotta)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/26 "2007-05-04T13:32:18Z")
I was working for a department of the state government and I realized that the others in the group took very nice vacations whenever possible so one year I suggested everyone bring home one truely tacky fridge magnet. We had a very ugly metal filing cabinet in the middle of the department but after a year, it was a sight to behold. The filing cabinet was no longer the Despised Thing and became a real showcase. I always collect magnets when I travel especially when I have one of those multiple connecting flight trips so I get 3 or 4 times as many magnets for one trip. When in Florida we always pick up another flamingo thing and when I get to Montreal I treat myself to something wonderful from one (or more) of my favorite bath and body places like Lush, Bella Pella or Fruits & Passion. Everytime I use the Buddha Baby White Chocolate moisturizer I think of the tiny shop we stopped in. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/27 "2007-05-04T14:16:51Z")
I have a book problem while traveling. My suitcase always gets a “heavy” label smacked on it and there’s usually a surcharge. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/28 "2007-05-05T12:03:39Z")
I like wearing necklaces, so I try to always buy myself at least one new one I can use for everyday. Except last year, on vacation in Ebeltoft, Denmark, with my three sisters-in-law, I got some beautiful glass crafts and a metric buttload of clothes. And no necklace. Truly these ladies are a corrupting influence. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/29 "2007-05-05T12:53:55Z")
[QUOTE=Hockey Monkey] Liquor. 😃 Seriously though, I take pictures and eat good food. I don’t worry too much about bringing stuff back. [/QUOTE] Yeah, this is pretty much the way I roll. Experience culture through the local cuisine whenever I can. I even visit foreign grocery stores to see what the local like to buy and eat. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/30 "2007-05-05T13:02:23Z")
I often get books as souvenirs - just brought home a double volume of ‘myth-ing persons/little myth marker’ from montreal, and I got my copy of ‘the princess bride’ and a novelization of ‘spiderman’ in Kingston - and maybe a third book. Yeah, I could get these books closer to home or order them online, but this way when I read, I’m reminded of the trip - as long as I can keep straight what I bought where and when 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/31 "2007-05-05T13:05:09Z")
Like **Antigen** , I always buy a Christmas ornament or something that can be made into an ornament. I’ll bet I have the only tree in town with a armadillo on it. So far I have always found something I can use everywhere I 've traveled. Family members bring me stuff from their travels, too, which is nice. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/32 "2007-05-05T17:13:47Z")
Refrigerator magnets and shot glasses. I also love trying the food when traveling, and will often bring candy home for friends. And I come from a family with a long tradition of collecting knick-knacks. I love little tiny sculptures, carved wooden boxes, candleholders, etc. ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/33 "2007-05-05T17:24:52Z")
I likely to visit museums and museum gift shops. They have great stuff to take home as souvenirs. Whether it’s there, or elsewhere, I generally look for art or handcrafted objects. I have a thing for wooden boxes, and own quite a few of them, inlcuding a couple of puzzle boxes I also like jewellry, which I generally buy watches, necklaces or bracelets. The nice thing about jewellry is how little space it takes up in the suitcase or carry-on, and I get wearable memories. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/34 "2007-05-05T17:51:28Z")
Blowjobs. Usually in 3rd-world countries they are much cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/35 "2007-05-05T19:00:09Z")
When I go to England (as I will be again later this month), I bring back tea. I look for interesting blends and collect interesting tins, and also wander the cluttered little antique shops looking for old-fashioned tea toys, like unusual sugar tongs or strainers. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/36 "2007-05-05T19:01:01Z")
A bit of silver jewelry, perhaps. I don’t buy stuff when I travel very much. I travel too much and dont’ have a tchotchka jones. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/37 "2007-05-05T22:20:39Z")
I bring home a number of things mentioned above - including christmast ornaments and cook books (even in foreign countries there is often an English section in book stores of local cuisine). But like the OP, when I was doing a lot of travel in Europe I tried to get things of use: A wool blanket and mittens in Norway Shoes and earrings in Holland Crystal vase in Prague A woodcut and oil/vinegar bottles in Poland A cheese grater and La Perla in Rome A painted plate and tea glasses in Turkey Jimmy Choos in London An ornamental hair comb from Seville A fantastic lamp from Fez (genie not included!) And the OP is right - each time I use them, I get a flashback to my travels, which is great. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/38 "2007-05-05T22:41:37Z")
I have a book problem while travelling as well. So far I’ve managed to avoid the surcharges, but, one day … As already mentioned as well here, I visit museum gift shops too. Between that and the Second-hand Bookstore Menace, I’m doomed unless my will is strong (it usually isn’t). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BobPi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@BobPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobPi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/39 "2007-05-06T00:37:51Z")
I haven’t traveled much, but here’s my inventory. On a trip to St. Lucia, I brought back an onyx chess set and two bottles of hot sauce (I called them volcano sauces). On a trip to Mexico I brought back a malachite ring and a turquoise chess set. On a trip to London I brought back a set of tea tins and a mug with a dragon on it. The next trip will be to Florence, and there’s a painting of a woman in a veil I’d like to bring back, but I doubt I can manage that. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659/40 "2007-05-06T13:17:36Z")
T Shirts and pins. When my sister visited England with her husband, she asked what I wanted. I told her I wanted coins, or tokens from the Underground. I think money in coin form is cool, and you always know where it came from. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-buy-for-yourself-on-vacation/402659.md?page=3)