The Best Gift Ideas To Bring Back From A Trip
Bringing a gift back from your vacation shows someone that you took the time to think about them while you were away. When considering who to bring a gift back for, it is important to think about why you are giving them the gift. The most common vacation gifts are given to spouses and children who were unable to go with, neighbors who watched your home and other close family members.
Keep in mind when shopping for unique gifts that you may have to venture out and find some local shops, versus touristy type shops. Hopefully this list of ideas will help you determine the best gifts to bring back from your trip for those who are special to you.
Art
Even the smallest piece of art makes a great gift from your trip. Some vacation destinations have stores that sell pieces of matted art with scenes of local landmarks and views. These come in all sizes, including those that are postcard sized to large portraits to hang above the couch. This is a great way to bring a little bit of your vacation back home to share with others.
Photos
If you are traveling on a budget and purchasing a gift is not possible, something more personal might be the answer. Take a lot of photos while you are traveling and make up small scrapbooks or frame them to give as gifts.
Local Foods
If you travel somewhere that is known for specialty foods and beverages, bring a little sample back to give as a gift. This includes local cheeses, pies, jams, nuts, chocolates, olive oil, fresh fruits, wines and beers.
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Attraction-Based
If you are visiting a large theme park or other well-known destination, bring back something that is labeled with where you went. Everything from bags to shot glasses and T-shirts to pens can be purchased with a design themed around where you visited.
Hats
If traveling to a tropical location, look for unique, floppy and colorful hats. Safari-style and straw hats are a nice gift to give, if it fits the theme of where you visited. Another hat option is to find a baseball cap with a logo or designed themed around your vacation destination.
Spa Products
Chances are you went on vacation to relax. So bring back something to help your friends and family relax. Visit your hotel's spa and pick up something special, such as lotions, shampoos and shower gels to take back with you. If visiting a seaside destination, stop by a local shop and pick up a natural sponge to add to the spa gift.
Jewelry
Just about everywhere you visit, you will find a jewelry store. Jewelry gift ideas include ankle bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings. Vacation destinations such as Florida and Hawaii have plenty of tropical-themed pieces of jewelry, including those designed with shells and shark's teeth, and these make great gifts to bring back.
Pack an extra bag in your suitcase to carry all of the gifts you purchased while away. If you know you will be buying something that is breakable, it might be a good idea to pack tissue paper or thick towels to wrap the gifts in before packing. Depending upon the item, it might be best to have it shipped to the recipient to prevent it from getting damaged while traveling back home.
If you are planning on taking a trip, hopefully the above listed ideas will help you find the perfect gifts to bring back to those who were unable to travel with you.
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Heather Landon is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has combined two of her passions - writing and travel - to share her experiences with others. You can read more of her articles at Examiner.com.
