Genius Tips That Make Packing The Souvenirs You Buy While Traveling Easier
No one ever wants a great vacation to end. But even though you have to go home eventually, at least you can return with some mementos to commemorate your excellent adventures. However, it can be difficult to transport these new treasures and trinkets if you don't plan just a little bit. With just a few tips and tricks, you can pack like a pro and make sure that all the cool stuff you picked up along the way can make the trip back home with you.
The first thing to consider is to pack stuff you aren't afraid to leave behind. Make sure you include a few nicer items on your packing list, like a blazer or a statement top, so you're prepared for a more upscale look when the occasion calls for it. However, when it comes to socks, underwear, and possibly even t-shirts, pack the ones on their last legs. That way, if you need to ditch something in your suitcase as you prepare to head back to reality, they can be the first items to go in the hotel trashcan along with your travel-size toiletries after having one last hurrah.
Of course, if the stuff you've purchased takes up a little more space than throwing away your old clothes can provide, there are a few more tactics that you can utilize to travel easily with souvenirs.
Use your luggage
If you're a seasoned traveler, a good set of luggage is a solid and necessary investment. Not only do you need a sturdy bag to carry your belongings around on your journeys, but many brands make it so their bags can fit inside one another. This feature can come in handy for those who know they'll go overboard with souvenirs.
Once you pack your bag with your clothes for the trip, place it inside the bigger bag and check it in. As you proceed with your journey and start collecting goodies, you'll suddenly have another bag to fill with whatever postcards, local fashion, books, or even food you acquire. Alternatively, if you don't think you'll buy a whole suitcase worth of merch, simply pack a collapsable duffel bag in your regular suitcase.
If this is the method you adapt to transport whatever you collect on your trip, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. For example, many airlines will charge additional fees if your bag is overstuffed or overweight. In some cases, they might not even allow the bag onboard. Treat yourself to all the cool stuff you can't get at home, but don't pick up every appealing statue or oversized accessory you come across unless you're prepared to pay a little extra.
Get ahead of it
Speaking of extra costs, if you're traveling overseas, each U.S. resident can bring back $800 worth of duty-free goods. Additionally, if you need to utilize an airline's packing material, like saran wrap, to clad an irregularly shaped piece of luggage, it will charge you a ridiculously unreasonable amount. Again, a bit of planning will go a long way to avoid these charges.
Call the airline and the TSA to confirm their regulations for weirdly shaped pieces, and use a chunk of your day to hunt down your own packing material. Of course, if you don't have the luxury of figuring out how to bring everything with you on the plane, there's a hack. The easiest way to handle an excess of souvenirs is to ship all the biggest and most expensive items back home.
However, remember to keep fragile and delicate items with you, preferably in your personal item, under the seat before you. You never know how your fellow passengers will treat your bag in the overhead compartment as they try to squeeze their carry-ons up there. It's better to be safe than sorry with the more breakable items. Just make sure that they're properly wrapped and protected in your bag so you don't accidentally break something yourself. After all, it's not like you can replace these keepsakes at your local Target!