To ask you to tell me what to buy in the US

[usashopper]

We are off in a week's time on a family holiday to the US. It is years since I was last there and I just wondered what is worth buying and bringing back that is much more expensive and hard to find over here? I am unreasonably excited about a trip to Walgreens but wonder if there is anything else I should consider. Thank you all!

I know a couple of lads who could use an assault rifle for a "business venture" they have in mind. They're buggers to get over here...

Tylenol PM, DayQuil and NyQuil. Also, Bath and Bodyworks lotions and soaps, they bring out a holiday range every year that’s so good. Personal favorite is Vanilla Bean Noel!

ShinyMe - any chance you can remember what that stuff is called? I travel a lot to places where mosquitoes are a problem and those bastards love me!

😍😍😍 peanut butter M&Ms like a PP said.

Research stuff you love and buy regularly and see how much it is, favourite perfume, booze, Tiffany etc. Difficult to ask us when we don't know what you like. I mean, my DH brought back loads of Weber BBQ spices as they're expensive here but cheap in Walmart. Plus his favourite boxers come from Walmart 🤦‍♀️ and Brugal rum is a bit tricky to find in the UK. Ralph Lauren shirts are a darn sight cheaper there, for example.

If you do Walgreens or CVS get big bottles of aceteminophen (paracetamol) & ibuprofen - no silly rules about only being able to buy a small amount there so you can get a big bottle that'll last you ages.
Also melatonin.
Where are you going?? Have a lovely trip!

Thank you all for your ideas! So many suggestions for drugs... I might stock up on paracetamol/ibuprofen just since they sell them in large containers but I'm not much of a pill taker so that part of the pharmacy might be wasted on me.
It sounds like the outlet mall is the way to go, for American brands that we get ripped off for, but even more reduced. I love brands like Clinique but it costs a fortune in Europe. Same with brands like Burts Bees. I remember going years ago and stocking up on high end shampoo that was half the price.
VERY good point about electrical goods, I think I will just forget that idea.

apoundinthehand thanks we are going to Florida. Hopefully to the SUN (can't quite remember what that is...)

I wonder is melatonin really worth it for the jeg lag problem? I have never taken it before (probably because you need a prescription here).

Melatonin - lifesaver if you are a shift worker.
Stovetop Stuffing - blummin love the stuff

I travel for work & melatonin can be helpful with jet lag but it can give you funny dreams. It's good to help you sleep on flight (tho I wouldn't take if traveling with kids). It's good for when you get home & are still wide awake at midnight/1am/later but real life beckons the next day

Envious - some sun would be lovely right about now,

I'm looking forward to stocking up with Cerave skincare. Much cheaper in the uS and a larger range.

Thank you apoundinthehand I might get some melatonin and try it for jet lag but wouldn't try it out on a flight just in case I reacted strangely... yes we are very fortunate to have the chance to fly off for some winter sun. I haven't done that in many years so it is not something I am taking for granted. At least the shortest day is almost here, which means its basically almost Spring....

Ooh grimdamnfanjo I haven't heard of Cerave, will check it out.

PEANUT BUTTER

American peanut butter is gorgeous. We can't make it here at all, it's always dry and horrid.

Avoid American chocolate tho, it's shite. They can make PB but not chocolate. Oooo also get some marshmallow fluff. You can make fudge with it. So yummy.

I find melatonin does help with jet lag but mostly because it makes me sleepy when I take it, so will help me sleep at the right time.

You can buy it otc in France now if anyone who wants it is passing through. Cheaper in the US though!

Cheesy jalapeno shake over seasoning from the food aisle. Brill on popcorn,can strongly recommend

Depends what you're into but here's my list:
Diet A&W root beer
Pretzel M&Ms
Peanut butter cookies from Kroger
Make up by Milani, Physicians Formula and Neutrogena
Jeans by Old Navy
"Chucks" a.k.a Converse All Stars, still cheaper in the U.S.A
Sephora and Ulta (yeah, what can I say? I like makeup)

Swedish Fish - the best confectionary ever!

Uniqlo and Anthropologie are definitely better value over there. Most other shops that are in both places seem more expensive there. Clark’s shoes seem to be a premium brand there, for example. Everyone on here raves about Old Navy, it is a very mundane shop with dull clothes. We live in Boston and I would say the clothes are very utilitarian, my teenage daughter found it difficult to find a dress for a party, in the U.K. shops are full of going out dresses at this time of year, we struggled to find any there in a sea of jeans, sweatshirts and padded coats (which are very necessary, admittedly).
We find most toiletries are expensive, toothpaste, deodorant, soap etc cost a fortune, all the expats comment on this and bring back stacks of stuff from the U.K.. Deodorant that costs £1 in Sainsbury’s costs $7 in CVS. Things like cold medicine are also expensive. Yes, you can buy 1000 ibuprofen, but unless you are a big family that takes daily painkillers why would you want to? 1000 tablets would last me 20 years!

Melatonin, teeth whitening, salt water taffy

Yes to deodorant costing a fortune in the US, that was one thing that really surprised me!

Things that you can't find outside the US, like Caramel M&Ms and Trader Joe's candy cane Oreo-type cookies

Things that you can find, but are much cheaper in the US like Burt's Bees lipbalms and bargains in the outlet malls

Don't bother with electrical things - they never work quite properly through an adapter

@InspectorIkmen
I checked and it's Benadryl Anti Itch Gel (for poison ivy, amongst other things). I bought a huge tube which I keep in the fridge. Nearly running out now, so I need to plan another AMerican trip!

www.benadryl.com/products/benadryl-itch-stopping-gel-extra-strength
Although, just looked at the recent reviews on there, and maybe it's changed! OH NOES.

Drugs drugs and more drugs - so much better than here and cheaper

Paracetamol PM (painkilling & sleep in one)
Doxylamine (used to be in syndol, no longer available in UK)
Ephedrine
Miconazole (for thrush you can buy 3 day treatment for about £3)
Crest teeth whitening strips