Souvenirs - It's the Thought that Counts ANDREA STUNZ It’s not happenstance that many of the tourist attractions we visit take us on the exit path by way of the gift shop. It feels like a trip, and I’ve been suckered more than a few times; usually buying for my grandchildren. Because what up-to-snuff grandmother could pass up a Nerf-like Knight’s sword and shield from Warwick Castle? Seriously. In my traveling days of yore, my souvenir shopping list consisted of who to buy for and what my budget was. I also needed to consider how much packing space I had. It’s a true travesty to end up paying for extra weight on your luggage for trinkets of little value. Sadly, I didn’t put much thought into what I bought, I just needed to buy something for each person. It felt more like a duty than a joy. Nowadays, I limit my shopping. Having traveled a lot and purchased countless souvenirs, some junk and some not, I have a whole new perspective on my shopping list. I simply don’t make one. I don’t make a budget, and I never (okay, almost never) exceed the weight limit for my checked bag(s). I say “almost never,” because if I do go over, it’s because I got something nice for me. I’ve now concluded that if other adults want something from England, Italy, or Scotland, they are free to book their own trip and purchase what they’d like for themselves. This may sound harsh, but it comes from years of buying cheap trinkets for everyone that likely end up in the garbage within a few years. If I must do something, sending a postcard is a wonderful option.
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