How To Holiday Shop While Traveling

It’s happened to you. Your friend comes back from his travels, gives you a gift, and you think to yourself “he totally got this at the airport gift shop.” But every travelling gift-shopper means well! They just don’t always know where to find the most meaningful and unique gifts because, well, they aren’t in their own town. If you’re travelling and buying gifts soon (which is very likely with the holidays coming up) try these tips so you’re not that friend giving the shot glass from the airport bar.

Support Local Artists
One thing you can be sure will be original is art from local artists. If you happen upon a street fair, or even just one sole artist selling his work on the street, don’t pass by quickly like you normally would with street vendors. Check out his work. It might capture the scenery, history, even sentiments of the place you are visiting. Your true art-enthusiast friends will love this.

Follow That Shopping Bag
If you see a local who has obviously just been on a little shopping spree, ask them where they went! Ask them what items they simple cannot be without in their particular hometown—this could be a kitchen tool specific to the local produce, shoes meant for a sport that is unique to that area, even a bottle of the local’s favorite alcohol.

Photo: Microsoft Images Shopping Spree

Go To The “Boring” Places
What does this mean? Drop into a pharmacy or grocery store. You might find something that to you seems completely novel, but is actually an everyday necessity for the locals. During my travels, I’ve literally picked up antacids just because of the beautiful or even funny packaging. It’s entertaining for me, and it carries the pulse of that place.

Souvenir Shops Are The Last Places For Real Souvenirs
The only tip you might get from a souvenir shop is if you notice a certain place depicted on many of the shot glasses, in much of the replicated art or on postcards. If you see this, ask the shopkeeper where that place is, why it is so special, and go there and get a souvenir.

Actually Develop Your Photos
I know. Who does this anymore? But you brought that camera for a reason. And no uploaded pic on Facebook or Twitter can sit over a mantle, or be a magnet on a fridge. Print your photos and give them away as gifts.

Photo: Microsoft Images Family Photo Album

Make Videos
These aren’t necessarily for your friends—giving them a video of your adventures might just seem very self-involved of you. But think of your parents, grandparents, even siblings who you don’t see often and who are always asking you to write or call more. Don’t just shoot your weekly email or make that monthly phone call. Send them a video. They will feel instantly closer to you.

Trade
You might be wearing a T-shirt or hat that, to the locals, is the funniest or coolest thing they’ve ever seen. Offer to trade. Right there and then. Your t-shirt for the local’s. Your hat for his. This gift is obviously for your more open-minded friends who don't mind a used gift. But it comes with a great story.

Don't these beat any department store buys?

Read More About Giving The Best Gifts
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The Anti-Gift List: 15 Things Everyone Gets and No One Needs
How to Go Green: Gift Giving