Hello everybody,
I just finished this article and, along with making me REALLY want to commit to that next trip, it really resonated and reminded me of the many conversations on these boards about people's favorite souvenirs. I hope you all enjoy! (The Washington Post allows a few free articles per month, so there shouldn't be a pay wall).
Caroline
Caroline, there's no link to the article.
Is this the article? https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/souvenir-grocery-stores/
Last trip to the UK I'd started carrying an empty hard shell bag that I could check, and then pack it on my trip to bring home. Certain grocery items always come home.
You have to subscribe to read the article.
Suki, I'm a subscriber. It's a fun article, especially for me because I have a bottle of Pepsi purchased in Leningrad in about 1983. You'll see why if this works.
Skip the tchotchke shops. Supermarkets are a place to learn how locals really eat, a metaphorical peek into the country’s kitchen pantries.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/souvenir-grocery-stores/
I’m a subscriber so here is a ”gifted” article that should allow you to read.
Eeek, I'm sorry. I thought the paywall wouldn't show. Thank you, Laura, for gifting the article!
We love grocery store souvenirs! In Iceland, it is actually a big thing. Bonus grocery store has the best heavy duty bags with their famous pink pig. They have several styles, including canvas bags. Plus they have their logo on t-shirts, etc. We also love the salts in Iceland and those are the perfect grocery store souvenir.
What a fun thread!
I have been souvenir shopping in grocery stores for years. During my trip to Switzerland in May in a smaller Coop store I found a child's coloring book which I purchased for my Mom, a few small tubes of mustard (great stocking stuffers) and some small colorful tablets. And chocolate! In many countries during the holiday season I have found Christmas decorations in grocery stores. Also in the past I got and saved bags but I try to limit that now as I have so many when I have my estate sale (hopefully many years from now) I could have a whole table with just shopping bags :)
Happy Travels and grocery store shopping!
Traveler Girl
I used to bring back full bottles of Coca-Cola from different countries until 9/11 put an eventual end to that. I think I have bottles in about 15 languages. I also have one full Russian Pepsi bottle from 1991 and a 7-Up bottle from Saudi Arabia I picked up in 1978. At that time many Arab countries were boycotting Coca Cola. With globalization many items that could previously only be purchased only overseas can now be purchased in international markets or online.
And grocery stores have local brands of catfood so you can take your cat a souvenir! Of course, on our first trip to Europe in 1985 when I brought back Swiss catfood, my husband said, "What if the cat decides that's the only brand he will eat?"
I like buying a reusable grocery bag with the store logo to use on my trip and then bring home and use for groceries.
I also have my reusable grocery bags! I had one from Waitrose that finally broke after 15 years. And my REWE reusable bag is huge and aways gets some notice.
I've brought home spices from Spain, chocolate and mustard from Germany and tea from the UK. And I will never forget my supermarket visit in Paris where cheese took up the entire back wall. I have never seen so much cheese in my life!
