Budget Souvenir Shopping Tip

October 14, 2:19 PMBest Value Travel ExaminerDT Regula

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Love to travel, hate to spend - and hate to meet those beloved friends welcoming you home with their hands out, expecting the latest guilt gift from a foreign land?

I've got news for you - foreign countries all have church gift shops, thrift stores, "Dollar" stores, and resale shops.

While these will almost NEVER be announced in the tourist materials, they exist and can be found by asking. If you need to dress up your cheapskate request to a snooty concierge or hotel staffer, say that you collect examples of older clothes and textiles. I've gotten a 200 Euro handknit wool Celtic sweater for 4 Euros in a church charity shop in Bunclody Ireland and pure Frankincense incense in a "1 Euro or Less!" shop. Antique teacups, glassware, and knicknacks are both unique and cheap.

With a little creative re-packaging, these gifts can become valued tokens of your love and thoughtfulness - without going overboard on cost. Just remember you may be paying hefty fees for extra luggage these days, so don't go too crazy.