Today is my last day on the East Coast and by tonight I will back in Portland, Oregon, warm and snug in my own bed. I’ve had an amazing trip visiting with friends Gretchen Rubin, Gretchen M. and Marie Javins in New York; and then hanging out with my college friend Jennifer in Boston and then hanging out with her family in New Hampshire.
And the best part is that I’ve been able to have a freaking blast without buying any souvenirs.
Here’s what I didn’t buy:
- Maple candy shaped like the state of New Hampshire.
- A “I ♥ NY” T-shirt.
- Any licensed sport apparel related to New England Patriots, Boston Red Socks, NY Yankees or NY Mets.
- A knock-off designer purse from a sketchy guy.
- A mug from Bubba Gump Shrimp.
- An Al Roker bobble-head.
Here’s what I did buy:
- Four used but perfect looking (and clean) 25¢ handkerchiefs from a church thrift shop in Keene, New Hampshire.
Cause that’s now The Non-Consumer Advocate rolls.
Thanks again to The Today Show for inviting me to New York and inadvertently acting as my travel agent.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
You passed up maple sugar candy in any shape? You are truly amazing!
Exactly–always buy the maple candy! 🙂
How could you pass up maple sugar candy…my absolute favorite from way back in my childhood! That and a lobster shaped barley lollipop! Those are the only souvenirs I ever brought back to my children from my trips back to New England.
and Welcome Home!
Katy, I wouldn’t want any of the things you had on your “didn’t buy” list either…
I’m with you. My policy is to give no company (that includes sports teams) any free advertising space on my body. That rules out lots of kitschy souvenirs. I’m always amazed by how many people are willing to PAY perfectly profitable businesses for their self-aggrandizing T-shirts (beer companies come to mind here). Wearing those things just further enhances the company’s profitability. If anything, the companies should pay people to wear those advertisements. Let’s stop the madness.
It’s actually Red Sox 🙂
-A Boston native and diehard Sox fan
🙂
My deepest apologies. 😉
Katy
Glad you got to go! You did good! And sooo glad you had an awesome time….and glad you shared with us all. I am impressed with your continued discipline…the shine goes off the apple mighty fast once you get it home:)!
I would not have been able to pass on the maple candy! It’s very hard to find it in California. Good for you! I hooe you took some tourist-y and corny pictures.
I admire your restraint. I have a little thing I started a few years ago that I get one fridge magnet from every place I visit. I love looking at my fridge and remembering all the places I’ve been. They are cheap, functional, and don’t take up any space in my suitcase. :o) On our trip to Colorado my friend actually bought an extra bag (for which she had to then pay an additional carry on fee!) to carry all her extra souvenirs and things she’d bought. Crazy!
Keene is one of my favorite places!! My husband went to college there and we return every year for Pumpkin Festival in October. Such a quaint little town!
Thanks for sharing how you can “travel light” and still come home with “tons” of memories and enjoy the experience too! You continue to inspire me Katy! And what an awesome experience to be on “The Today Show” Way to go!
I ended up also bringing home a box of cannolis from a fantastic Italian bakery in Springfield, Massachusetts.
No complaints from my family on that one!
Katy
Shopping vintage or thrift shops is a tradition with our family, when on vacation. The experience of that sort of shopping is entertainment in itself. And any souvenirs we pick up this way are cheaper in price, but better in quality.
It’s gotta be lemon meringue. Yumma!
Hooray for Keene, my hometown. Were you thrifting at the St. James thrift shop?