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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask what I should buy/bring back from New York?

161 replies

yayyyyyy · 02/01/2023 22:37

I'm going to New York next month, it'll be my first time visiting America so I'm really excited!

I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for particular things to buy when out there e.g. particular American candy/food, makeup, etc.

Thank you :)

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 02/01/2023 22:39

These days there is nothing you can get there you can't get here so I wouldn't worry about it. Just enjoy the experience of being there and soak it all in.

Vanillalime · 02/01/2023 22:58

Bit of a random one - on my next trip I’m planning to go to Trader Joes for some ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning!!

Maybe go to a Walgreens and get some Crest White Strips & some melatonin?

Vanillalime · 02/01/2023 22:59

Oh, also meant to say have a great time!! Do you have an itinerary planned? 🗽🇺🇸

Bunnyannesummers · 02/01/2023 23:00

Crest products and hand sanitizer from bed bath and beyond

VintageVest · 02/01/2023 23:00

Cheap converse, Abercrombie and Fitch and Bath & Body shop stuff.

Coconut212 · 02/01/2023 23:05

Unfortunately the exchange rate is so bad it’s more expensive over there than here for clothes etc. 711 and walgreens are great for different sweets. Crest is really expensive and not cheap like it used to be. Just enjoy the experience and the tourism rather than the shops

FlounderingFruitcake · 02/01/2023 23:05

Have a great time! NY is amazing! Hit up CVS of Duane Reade for Ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen in the US) in quantities of 200. Crest white strips for teeth whitening if that’s of interest since you can’t get them here. Pedialyte sachets for hangovers. Melatonin if you have sleeping issues. That’s it really! Shop for make up and designer goods in the UK airport to save the tax. Anything else is likely to cost more over there. American chocolate tastes like vomit (not an exaggeration it’s a real thing), so don’t bother.

Moanranger · 02/01/2023 23:06

Trader Joes, esp salsa, Levi’s (way more choice), pickle relish ( probably too niche, but I miss it) defo melatonin

Shunkleisshiny · 02/01/2023 23:09

Go to Bath and Bodyworks , the shops are amazing!

NeedMoMoney · 02/01/2023 23:09

Vanillalime · 02/01/2023 22:58

Bit of a random one - on my next trip I’m planning to go to Trader Joes for some ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning!!

Maybe go to a Walgreens and get some Crest White Strips & some melatonin?

I love crest white strips! I wish they sold them in the UK!!

ChristmasLightsLover · 02/01/2023 23:11

Check out Universal Standard. If you like the clothes have a personal appt. absolutely no pressure to buy and they are the best jeans I have ever worn in life. LOVE them! Am so jealous. Would go back in a heartbeat.

Defiantlynot41 · 02/01/2023 23:11

Melatonin
Crest white strips
Anything from Sephora, especially the rollerball perfume
Pumpkin spice seasoning

saltinesandcoffeecups · 02/01/2023 23:11

FlounderingFruitcake · 02/01/2023 23:05

Have a great time! NY is amazing! Hit up CVS of Duane Reade for Ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen in the US) in quantities of 200. Crest white strips for teeth whitening if that’s of interest since you can’t get them here. Pedialyte sachets for hangovers. Melatonin if you have sleeping issues. That’s it really! Shop for make up and designer goods in the UK airport to save the tax. Anything else is likely to cost more over there. American chocolate tastes like vomit (not an exaggeration it’s a real thing), so don’t bother.

You can get way more than 200 per bottle…

To ask what I should buy/bring back from New York?
hartof · 02/01/2023 23:12

I don't think there's anything given the exchange rate and that we have the majority of the goods here now too. The only thing we don't have as someone has said is the Crest strips/mouthwash. So I would bring them back and spend the rest on experiences there. When I went to New York there were no Sephora like stores and many products I couldn't buy so I spent $1000 in Sephora (it was all Xmas and birthday money) I did get a Michael Kors bag for less than $100 from Macy's but I don't think many people like them anymore.

ChristmasLightsLover · 02/01/2023 23:12

And check the stationery shops if you're into that kind of thing. In fact if you're truly a fan of stationery send me a DM. I have a Google map of NY by stationery shops!!!

justasking111 · 02/01/2023 23:13

Osh kosh for children's clothes. Think my friend goes over to new jersey says it's a lot cheaper there

saltinesandcoffeecups · 02/01/2023 23:16

Oh, and this probably wouldn’t do to bring back, but enjoy there… fresh bagels (try to find a mom&pop place vs. a high tourist), NY style pizza, and a good deli.

honestly, everything else is so expensive (I’m assuming NYC) that I wouldn’t bother.

Todaynotalways · 02/01/2023 23:18

Vanillalime · 02/01/2023 22:58

Bit of a random one - on my next trip I’m planning to go to Trader Joes for some ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning!!

Maybe go to a Walgreens and get some Crest White Strips & some melatonin?

Same re Everything But The Bagel. I have a US colleague send me it by post.

HesMyLobster · 02/01/2023 23:19

Definitely Walgreens for huge tubs of painkillers and vitamins.
Midol is the best thing I've ever tried for pms cramps and always stock up on it whenever we go over.
If you want to shop then go for US brands like Levi's, Abercrombie etc. The days of getting stuff loads cheaper there are over though thanks to the exchange rate.
In NYC the best thing to buy though is the food - Not to bring back, just eat a bit of everything while you're there!
Have a wonderful time!

FlounderingFruitcake · 02/01/2023 23:21

saltinesandcoffeecups · 02/01/2023 23:11

You can get way more than 200 per bottle…

Show quote history

Amazing! I’m still working through my 200 bottle of Up&Up acetaminophen from 2020 so granted it’s been a while since I bought painkillers. But the point is big quantities, so much better than those ridiculous packs of 16 you get here, so stock up!

Reindear · 02/01/2023 23:22

I bought a Christmas tree decoration- I love it! Otherwise I’m not sure what else you’d need to buy that you can’t get here. When we went in the summer, we found it quite expensive especially with the tipping so I’m not sure you’d find anything much cheaper there than you would here

FoxtrotOscarFoxtrotOscar · 02/01/2023 23:25

My American friend stocks up on bagels. They freeze very well.

Nannyamc · 02/01/2023 23:29

Macys every brand available..huge discounts love it. Could spend days in it.

purplecorkheart · 02/01/2023 23:30

Melatonin. I found their chocolate wasn't very nice,tasted almost greasy. I went to New York with pretty much a empty suitcase and really did not end up buying anything (despite a great exchange rate). I think in the end I bought a lipstick only because I forgot to pack one, Melatonin, a Jo Malone product as it was not available in the Eu and a book from an American Author.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 02/01/2023 23:32

My DDs love Aritzia for clothes. Not cheap, but we don’t have it in Europe. Spent a fortune there last summer, DDs got lots of very cute clothes there.

No bargains to be found in clothing any more.