To think holiday presents are a waste of money?

[lavenderbluedilly]

Do most people bring back souvenirs for friends and family when they go on holiday?

I’m currently away with DH and he has just spent a small fortune on souvenirs for his 9 nieces snd nephews. We have joint holiday money, though I tend to contribute the lion’s share, as I’m the higher earner. He has bought plastic tat and teddies, which will probably not be appreciated (I say this from previous experience). He thinks I’m mean as I said it’s ridiculous to bring back holiday presents. I’ve pointed out that his siblings have never brought anything back for our DC.

AIBU or just mean?

Yes and no - you both have a point. The main issue is that he is spending joint funds on this.

Keep your money a bit more separate so you can each shop without having to answer to the other one.

We bring foreign sweets back for kids but that's about it.

Awww you’re mean lavender
I love getting a fridge magnet from family and friends when they’ve been away. I like to believe I’ve been to all these different countries 😂

My kids and my nieces and nephews all love receiving a little gift from each other after a trip away, even a novelty pen or some sweets. My mum is particularly fond of her Butlin's mug we got her years ago

I don’t know anyone who still does this. Doesn’t it date back to the days when foreign travel was rare and expensive so you’d be getting a present from a place there’s a good chance you’d never go to yourself?

I don't think I have ever bought anyone a present back from holiday (apart from my best friend when I was at school in the '70s).

Given that DH's sibling{s} have never bought for your DC, I think you have your answer. Most people are trying to cut down on plastic tat.

I think it's bonkers, personally. Unless I see something that I know a particular person would really like which isn't easy to get at home, I don't bother at all.

Haha OkPedro, I probably am mean

I too thought it was more a thing of yester year, when foreign travel was more unusual.

I think I was more bemused as it’s a definite one way thing with his family and it’s our joint finances. I also have nieces but nobody on my side of the family does holiday gifts, thank god. My parents have specifically told us not to waste our money buying gifts for them. They have been putting the bins out and feeding the cats for us, so I’ll likely treat them to a meal out when we get back.

I agree with you, I don't want tat from places I haven't been to! I like to buy souvenirs to remind me of where I've been, I would not want souvenirs of where someone else has been!

My parents and in-laws are awful for this. My mil bought all the grandchildren a t-shirt with the name of the bar next to the hotel she was staying at. Her reasoning was that 'all the kids were wearing them'. Well yes, they were there!!! Hideous.

I agree with you. Which is probably why I didn't kick off when my mum gave me a packet of sweets from the Co-op when she got back from her cruise .

I do insist on a fridge magnet when the DDs are abroad, and when we are. Also inherited the collection of fridge magnets they bought my mum, after she died!

I'm of the view it was something that happened back in the 70s.
There is a tradition in some workplaces you are expected to bring some sweets back for the staffroom or the office, but buying tat for 9 dns is ridiculous.

I have a tradition with my Dsis that we buy each other tea towels. They often need replacing and no one wants to buy their own, it's a bit of fun

I’m relieved IANBU

DH knows I was a bit when he was buying them, he’d be horrified if he knew I’d started a thread about it

My friend and I always get each other something small. Not ornaments or anything like that - usually local sweets or chocolate.

I only really bring back food/drink for a few people when I know It cant easily be bought here. And only foodstuffs/from countries where permitted to bring in.
Started to buy my old ma a few more small things laterly as she travelled less and as memories of her earlier adventures. Always triggered good chats.

OH always insists on bringing souvenirs back for his family, plus his best mate, but he hates shopping, so gets quite stressed about it.

I've tried to tell him it's optional, but as he insists, I take charge and will buy practical (cheap) stuff like tea towels, lighters for the smokers, herbs and spices and local foods.

I always bring back tea towels and a tacky fridge magnet for our home and a few nicer craft items like a nice table cloth or serving bowl.

Little local sweet treats are good for kids, little local food/drink treats are good for adults.

It's a bit dated and old fashioned to get tat presents for people,after being on hols,it's probably a habit for some folks still. Like sticks of rock from Blackpool, and straw donkeys from Spain etc.

A friend brought me back some kind of chocolate-covered crunchy mints in a hand-wrapped packet from Norfolk recently. Much appreciated (although sadly I don't know what it was called cos I ate it and threw the wrapping away).

Never do this except for duty free cigarettes. I am still amazed that people still bring back a stick of rock from the seaside. It's so sweet though.

This! I've been to about a hundred countries now and only bring back occasional souvenirs if it's something the person collects (my mum collects wacky salt and pepper shakers) or foreign candies/novelties for people to try (scorpions encased in a lollipop from Arizona for example).

Everything else is just tat and not worth the hassle of lugging it back or the expense.

Tea towels is a good idea though, and the tackier the better (as is the case with our fridge magnet collection - I am particularly fond of Romeo and Juliet on a Vespa from a recent trip to Verona)

I think it’s weird having a souvenir from somewhere I’ve never been lol. Would prefer food/chocs/sweets.