USA trip - what don't I know I need yet??

[PurpleWhirple]

I'm off to the states next week for the first time in nearly 20 years. I used to fly to New York regularly for work and would stock up on things I couldn't get at home in the UK.

My favourites were bar soap, which for some reason seems to smell stronger over there, and I would always buy high SPF, oil free neutrogena facial sunscreen. Thankfully oil free suncream is now a thing in the UK. I'm racking my brains for the other things I used to get but nothing is coming back to me.

So what's changed in 20 years? I'd be grateful for your must have shopping lists and suggestions.

Bliss body lotion, lemon and sage

Can you bring me some Hot Tamales sweets please?!😁

Bath & Bodyworks Champagne Toast anything and everything for me! And McCormicks country gravy mix, could drink it by the pint 😂

Honey mustard (it's never as good in Europe)

Various Wet'n'Wild products (drugstore beauty brand)

I used to order a new handbag online, to deliver to my hotel, as prices were 25% lower than here, but I agree with PPs that it may no longer be worth it, as US prices are up - though this does depend on which state you will be in, and therefore what the sales tax is.

Brace for being expected to tip everywhere, even at a grocery store. I know this has always been bad in the US, but it has gotten much worse since Covid.

I brought back 4 jars of Trader Joes' Every But the Bagel seasoning... basically a jar of seeds which I sprinkle on a plain bagel spread with cream cheese in an attempt to recreate an authentic American everything bagel with cream cheese 😅Still not quite the same, our bagels just don't cut it....

Make sure you also pick up one of these ! www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/12/money-bags-would-you-pay-1200-for-one-of-trader-joes-299-totes