What can you bring from America? What can you bring from America?

Are you going on vacation to the USA for a couple of weeks and don’t know what to bring for friends and relatives? In this article we will help you understand this issue. The United States of America is the birthplace of many brands and trademarks. Some of them are especially popular and, like nothing else, are associated in people’s minds with the United States. At the same time, many American products are difficult to find in other countries and are often counterfeited or sold at unreasonably high prices. These are the ones you should pay attention to when you start walking around American stores in search of purchases.

An excellent gift for lovers of high-quality strong alcohol will be American whiskey, beloved and famous throughout the world. Strict quality control within the USA guarantees an almost zero chance of running into a fake, and the Duty Free store at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) will delight you with the price. A liter bottle of Jack Daniels Tennessee Sour Mash will cost about $35. If you need something more expensive and more prestigious, take a bottle of New Holland Zeppelin Bend (from $70 for 750 ml).

Your foodie friends will appreciate the gift of a jar of real peanut butter. A product equal in quality to the American one can hardly be found outside of America, the original homeland of this delicacy, which has a long tradition of production and consumption. Some of the most reputable brands include Smart Balance, Skippy Natural, and Trader Joe's. Prices are several times lower than in Russia or Ukraine: about 70 cents per 100 grams.

You can't go past the famous coffee brand Starbucks. This is a good gift for a coffee lover, since the quality of this coffee within the states is significantly higher than the quality of coffee sold by franchises in other countries. In coffee shops in the CIS countries, for example, you will find coffee produced in Holland, which is easy to verify by reading the information on the packaging. Compared to American coffee, this coffee, of course, is much inferior. Pack of 450 gr. Caffe Verona, purchased in the USA, will cost about $13.

Maple syrup is a very healthy and tasty product, which, unfortunately, is very often counterfeited. This is due to the relative complexity of production and the limited number of sugar maples, which grow only in North America. Additionally, the syrup harvesting season is only four to six weeks a year. Outside the US or Canada, the syrup you buy will likely be half-strength corn syrup with added flavoring. Corn syrup, unlike maple syrup, does not provide any health benefits, and is noticeably inferior in taste. A reliable way to find real maple syrup is to buy it from the USA. Here it is sold everywhere in most supermarkets. For example, a 900 ml bottle of real premium Uncle Luke’s syrup will cost you $23.

If you know the exact clothing sizes of the person you are buying a gift for, purchasing those same clothes may be a good option. There are several advantages here. Firstly, there are many brands in the USA that are not supplied to Russia and Ukraine. Secondly, local clothing is noticeably superior to imported options in terms of fabric quality and variety of colors and patterns. Thirdly, buying in the USA will cost you much less, thanks to all sorts of promotions and discounts that you will see everywhere. If you want to buy high-quality and inexpensive T-shirts, the American origin of which will be evident, pay attention, for example, to the American Eagle and Abercrombie brand stores. The average price for a T-shirt: $20-30, and during sales periods the price of such a T-shirt can drop to $5.

For those who decide to purchase books in English, there are a huge number of bookstores in the United States with an immense assortment and very affordable prices. Whether you want to find an inexpensive edition of Harry Potter printed on newsprint, or an antique edition of the works of Charles Dickens in a deluxe binding, you can easily find both. Prices vary greatly depending on where you buy.

If you are interested in traditional souvenirs, then the USA can more than fully satisfy your needs. Souvenirs that are universal for the United States, such as plush toys from M&M's, cowboy hats, images of the American flag or “Indian” amulets can be found almost anywhere in the country.

Also, almost all US cities, from small resorts to big cities, produce unique souvenirs with local specific symbols.

What to bring from New York?

In numerous stores in New York you can find magnets, keychains and cups with images of the Brooklyn Bridge or the Empire State Building. Prices for magnets and keychains start at $2 each. Coffee cups start at $8, whiskey glasses start at $4. T-shirts with recognizable “I LOVE NY” prints will cost $15. Models of the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks start at $5.

What to bring to Boston?

From Boston you can bring a model of the Boston Lighthouse (from $10) and student bags with the Harvard University logo (from $20).

What to bring from Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is best known as the center of the US film industry. Here you can buy magnets and postcards with the inscription Hollywood, figurines of Marilyn Monroe and other famous actors. A decorative license plate with a scenic "Beverly Hills" inscription will cost $8. Photo albums with a Walk of Fame star or those made in the form of a cinematic clapperboard (from $6) look great. Gilded figurines replicating the Oscar award cost from $12.

What to bring from Hawaii?

A win-win and bright souvenir from the state of Hawaii will be figurines and magnets depicting female dancers of the national dance Hula, which has long been the hallmark of the state - in necklaces made of flowers and skirts made of palm leaves (from $2). Mystical figurines of Hawaiian idol gods are more expensive: $5-10.

In most large cities you can find so-called “snow globes” - Christmas souvenirs that three-dimensionally depict one or another city landmark under a glass ball and with floating sparkles in the form of snow (from $20).

The list of possible souvenirs from the USA can be continued endlessly, but now you know what and where to look, and you won’t waste your time. Enjoy the shopping!

Many people today travel around the world. There can be many reasons: vacation, job search, work trips. Be that as it may, when returning home, you always want to bring with you at least something that reminds you of the state you visited. In most cases, these can be keychains, magnets, and other minor souvenirs. But what should you bring from America if you manage to get to this wonderful country? In the USA there is absolutely everything your heart desires, but if the task is to buy things that you cannot find in your homeland during the day, then you should think about it.

As a gift to family and loved ones, if not electronics. iPad, iPhone, Macbook in the USA are much cheaper than in European markets, and their quality is excellent. Before purchasing, you should definitely look at the firmware language, so that problems do not arise in the future; you should also pay attention to the capabilities of the service. If you purchase goods at night, you can get a significant discount.

What is profitable to bring from America is branded clothing and shoes. Victoria's Secret women's cosmetics and lingerie are much cheaper than in Europe or Russia. You should also pay attention to brands such as Abercrombie Fitch, Banana Republic, DKNY, BCBG Maxazaria, etc. Women's and men's Timberland shoes in the USA cost about half as much as in their homeland; it is also recommended to purchase UGG boots, the price of which It's just funny here. All the clothes are of high quality, so you won’t have to regret wasting money on new clothes.

What to bring from America as a gift for women, if not jewelry. The American brand David Yurman deserves special attention. In stores you can buy bracelets, woven rings and other jewelry. It is worth purchasing silver products from the Tiffany trading house, the price is indicated from the manufacturer, and they are known throughout the world. If you are interested in the question of what to bring your child from America, then you should pay attention to toys and clothes. Brands for children include Pumpkin Patch, Gymboree, Babysrus, and Target. Very soft and high-quality shoes are sold here, and clothes are offered at low prices.

In the USA, many people buy cold remedies; even in the midst of an epidemic, Nyquil and Dayquil will help you forget about the flu. Advil and Tylenol have good analgesic and antipyretic properties. Those who have good, strong enamel can use Crest whitening strips; this company also has decent toothpastes. Women will certainly like American cosmetics.

Tourists with large sums of money can be advised to purchase a car. It’s okay that it will have to be imported from America with the help of specialized companies, but the purchase price will be completely justified. Even if we take into account all the costs, the car will still be cheaper than in Europe. In addition, American cars have a wide range of options, real mileage is indicated, and it is possible to use Russian brands of gasoline. In the USA you can buy many high-quality and interesting things that in Russia are either very expensive or not available at all. Therefore, if such an opportunity arises, it is necessary to purchase all the goods of interest.

What things come to your mind when you talk about America? Freedom! Democracy! Jeans! One can argue endlessly about American democracy, but their jeans are truly famous throughout the world, and every self-respecting tourist brings at least a pair. I was no exception, but besides them I brought something else.

What to bring from America

On the first day I couldn’t resist and bought mug with the inscription I love New York, a bunch of magnets and T-shirts with provocative slogans. Later, having curbed my base impulses, I finally found way to spend money in the USA in a more reasonable way and acquired:

• clothes and shoes;
• cosmetics;
• sweets;
• vinyl.

Clothes and shoes

It's no secret that American brands are cheaper than in Russia. Most often, things are two and sometimes three times cheaper. But I found the lowest prices online vintage stores Buffalo Exchange.

They sell bRent clothes, shoes, bags, accessories at obscenely low prices. I bought mine Levis for 18 dollars instead of 100. In addition to the mass market, you can also find luxury brands there. If you're near New Jersey be sure to visit Jersey Gardens Mall and go there Victoria's Secret(the global lingerie brand offers customers prices starting from $2). Also don't pass by New Balance- sneakers there are more than three times cheaper.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics are a different matter. Personally, my eyes ran in different directions, and my legs became weak, as soon as I saw the assortment, entering the first Sephora store. Choose brands Anastasia Beverly Hills, Urban Decay, MAC, Benefit- their product lines are much wider than Russian ones, and prices, naturally, are lower.

American sweets

Bring American sweets I decided not for the sake of taste, but as a souvenir. For example, m&m's candies in the USA they are presented in dozens of flavors and an incredible number of packages that you will not find anywhere else.

As well as Hershey's And Reese's. The latter, by the way, are added to chocolate peanut butter- a popular product of the American table. If you want to buy that same peanut butter, pay attention to the inscription on the package - it can be both salty and sweet.

Vinyl

If you love music and you or your friends have a record player at home, you simply cannot leave America without vinyl record! In almost every city you can find a small vinyl store where cult classics are sold at the lowest prices. music albums, collections, new releases and many different vintages.

I just added a Rolling Stones double LP to my collection for just $20!

Are you thinking about what souvenirs to bring from America to your friends? Here's a little hint for you.

What goods or products do you associate with the United States of America? It is clear that this is the birthplace of Apple devices, that Reebok or Levi's are much cheaper here, that cosmetics and vitamins are as wildly popular among women as good alcohol is among men.

But what to do if you have a lot of friends, but you are a budget tourist and you won’t be able to fork out the money for American whiskey, iPhones and Tiffany for everyone? Still, America is an expensive country. Therefore, I offer a simple selection for mere mortals.

1. Souvenirs

If you don’t have much time to find gifts, the easiest thing you can do is go to any gift shop. There you will definitely find a thousand little things that correspond not only to the theme of the USA as a whole, but also to individual states in particular (or even cities). For example, in New York on the shelves of souvenir shops you will find figurines of the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty; in San Francisco - smaller copies of the Golden Gate Bridge; in Los Angeles - mini-Oscar statues; in Philadelphia - miniatures of the Liberty Bell... And also T-shirts, mugs, magnets, keychains with images of these symbols or decorated in the colors of the American flag. However, this item has one small drawback: a good part of the goods from gift shops are of Chinese origin.

I decided to highlight T-shirts as a separate item because they are such a classic gift that all travelers who visit New York bring. In other major American cities you can find the same T-shirts, only with different names (which is logical). If it’s winter in your homeland for 9 months of the year, then you can take a bike with a commemorative inscription - they are also available in large quantities and in any color. The idea of ​​T-shirts and hoodies can be developed a little: in America, clothes with the names of local universities or sports clubs are popular.

3. Peanut butter and CO

For us peanut butter– is no longer a new thing. And yet there is a variety of it that I have not yet encountered in our country. I've come across 3 types of peanut butter in the US: plain, peanut butter (my favorite), and jam. Yes, yes, Americans manage to pour salty pasta and sweet jam (or honey) into one jar. Manufacturers know their lazy target audience well and do their best to make their life easier. The fact is that locals like to eat peanut butter, spreading it on bread, and topping it with a good layer of something sweet. This is the type of peanut butter that you should bring to your friends. The combination is, of course, peculiar, but that’s why this souvenir will be interesting. And this peanut butter also looks beautiful in a jar.

Americans are literally obsessed with this product, so they use it in a variety of forms: added to homemade baked goods, used as a filling for sweets. The company's candies and bars are very popular Reese's. Personally, I like their peanut butter cups - small chocolate “cups” filled with peanut butter.

4. Sweets

This point has absolutely no restrictions: there are so many flavoring additives in American sweets that you can’t help but like them :) But I’ll still try to remember a couple of notable brands.

• M&M's. What is the fundamental difference between these sweets and those that can be bought from us? If you go to a specialty M&M's store, you will understand everything yourself. Firstly, you can buy sweets here by weight, choosing any color and size of dragee at your discretion. Secondly, they sell cool gift sets with symbols or plastic figurines filled with colorful candies. I wrote more about one of these M&M’s stores in the third part.

• Chocolate Ghirardelli. This company also produces chewing gum, but it is chocolate bars and square chocolate bars that have proven themselves. You can purchase the products at any American supermarket. There are a lot of flavors, so there is plenty to choose from. And if you're in San Francisco, be sure to stop by the factory where this chocolate is produced. In the company store you will be allowed to taste the product before purchasing.

• Twizzlers gummies. A popular sweet in America. Overall, tasty, if you don't take the licorice ones. But this is just my opinion, because my friends devoured any Twizzlers (I specialized more in peanut butter). This is another American brand that cannot be ignored. Candies come in different flavors, so if you don’t know which one to choose, take an assortment.

• Salt water taffy (salt water candy). Honestly, I don’t know if these candies can be found in any state. I myself have only seen them in New Jersey, and it seems to me that this is a typical sweet for this region of the USA. However, sweet and salty seawater toffees in beautiful packaging would make a worthy present from the States.

5. Maple syrup

Not exactly an American product, but very popular here. It was invented, of course, by the Canadians. However, show me an American who doesn't pour maple syrup on his morning pancakes. This must be some immigrant masquerading as a local. Maple syrup is a pretty healthy product. And you can only buy “subglacier” in the USA and Canada, because the syrup is made from sugar maples that grow in North America. In other countries, there is a chance of running into a “fake” (diluted syrup or prepared on a different basis with the addition of flavoring). Maple syrup is sold in supermarkets. I hope you can find the syrup in pretty maple leaf shaped bottles.

6. Coffee

The first brand that comes to mind when talking about the USA is Starbucks. It is believed that American coffee of this brand is significantly superior in quality to that sold under franchise in other countries. In addition, souvenirs with the Starbucks logo are also a kind of excellent present from a trip to the States. Experienced travelers also praise American coffee brands Taster's Choice And Marshall.

7. Souvenirs on a historical theme

Why are we all talking about food, but about food? Let's talk about serious things: what do you know about American history?

Indian theme. Do you want to bring something authentic back home? Then this is your topic. Indians in the States, of course, are not what they used to be, but the handmade products they produce are something very unusual, and sometimes even magical. It is, of course, best to buy such handicraft products on reservations: it is there that you will find much more all kinds of amulets, jewelry, amulets and other strange things. But you can run into such souvenirs in some souvenir shops. The store where I worked in New Jersey (and it was called, by the way, American West) sold things made by Indians. Dream catchers, for example, sold like hotcakes. And personally, as a reward at the end of summer, I received handmade earrings in the form of feathers from the owner of our shop. But take note: if you buy such a product outside of reservations, then at least check that it doesn’t say Made in China.

Cowboy theme. No less interesting are the cowboy paraphernalia. A hat, a bolo tie (a leather cord fastened with a decorative clip), a belt buckle - and a gift for a fan of Clint Eastwood films is ready.

Vintage things. If you come across an antiques store, don't pass it by. You can find a lot of interesting things here: old records, posters, pin-ups, signs, license plates, comics... you name it.

8. Christmas-themed souvenirs

Tell me, who ate 101 Dalmatians to popularize the Christmas brand and makes money on it every year? That's right! USA. Therefore, Christmas-themed shops are open here all year round. In our little Cape May, I found at least 2 such Christmas shops. And what was there! I immediately fell in love with polymer clay gingerbread men. They've been decorating my Christmas tree for 6 years now. Purchased in July in sunny New Jersey.

9. Books in English

If one of your friends is learning English, bring him a book as a gift. For example, the new “Harry Potter” in a translation “not from Rosman” is impossible to read, and it is not sold in English here. Classic literature in the original language is also an excellent gift. The same goes for comics. For Americans, these are not just illustrated magazines, but a real cultural phenomenon. Perhaps they could be classified as historical souvenirs.

10. Sports related souvenirs

Sports in the United States are an important component of the national culture. Therefore, souvenirs with a reference to American football or baseball will speak volumes. For example, if you are in Philadelphia, you can find souvenirs with the inscription Phillies (this is the local baseball club).

• If you are planning to buy equipment, take note that the voltage in the USA is 110 V. Therefore, hair dryers, curling irons, irons, toasters, electric heaters, and coffee makers are most often suitable for use only in the USA. As for laptops, smartphones, tablets, epilators, electric shavers and wireless speakers, there should be no problems with them: they work quietly in the voltage range of 110 - 220 V. But since the sockets in the States are different, you will have to buy adapters for the plugs.

• Price tags in stores do not include VAT. So be prepared for the price of the item to increase slightly at the checkout. Depending on the state, VAT varies from 5% to 12%.

• The further the store is from the tourist point, the lower the prices for souvenirs.

• It is profitable to buy clothes in the USA in Outlets and Outfits. Map with outlet addresses: https://www.outletbound.com/outlet-malls.

• It makes sense to buy alcohol in special stores - Liquor store - they have the largest selection of these products. The most popular alcoholic drinks that tourists bring from America are Canadian and American whiskey, bourbon, rum, and pisco. Also pay attention to Root beer - a low-alcohol drink made from the bark of the Sassafras tree. And remember that if you are under 21 years old, alcohol will not be sold to you either in a store or in a bar.

• American-made vitamins and dietary supplements, as well as sports nutrition and cosmetics (EOS, MAC, NYX), have proven themselves well.

America is a very interesting and colorful country, and therefore the association with hamburgers is mildly incorrect. Much will also depend on which region of the country you plan to visit, since each of them has its own characteristics not only in terms of culture, political views, but also in terms of souvenirs.

If you don’t plan to spend too much time choosing souvenirs, then visiting regular gift shops may be your best option. In such shops you will find a huge selection of all sorts of little things with a national theme. These can be flags of different sizes, figures of the Statue of Liberty and other iconic buildings for the country. I'm not even talking about all sorts of T-shirts, T-shirts, badges, mugs, etc.

Those who prefer gastronomic and, in particular, sweet souvenirs should pay attention to Ghirardell chocolate. You can buy a regular chocolate bar or a square chocolate bar in any American supermarket. There are a lot of flavors, so you will have plenty to choose from. If your travel route takes you through San Francisco, be sure to visit the factory where this chocolate is produced (in the company store you will have the opportunity to taste the chocolate before purchasing).

In the USA you will find a large selection of coffee, but one of the best is the Starbucks brand. Moreover, it is believed that the quality of this coffee in America is an order of magnitude higher than what is sold under this brand in other countries. There are also many positive reviews from such American coffee brands as Marshall and Taster’s Choice.

Indian themes are very popular among tourists. Since ancient times, various handicrafts made by Indians have been highly valued. Of course, it is best to buy such products on reservations. There you will find many different amulets, amulets and other unusual things. But often such souvenirs can be found in souvenir shops. If you buy these outside of reservations, then be sure to pay attention to the fact that the product does not have the notorious inscription: “Made in China.” If it is, then it is better to refuse to purchase such a product.

Cowboy themes (paraphernalia) can also be no less interesting. These can include boro ties, which are a leather cord fastened with a decorative clip, a belt buckle, and many other accessories.

You can't ignore traditional American alcoholic drinks. Among them, the first place is bourbon, which, without exaggeration, is the national American drink. It is often classified as whiskey, but this drink is prepared not from barley, but from corn. One of the most famous brands of this drink is Jim Beam.

It is generally accepted that tequila is a purely Mexican drink. By and large, this is true, but in the southern states of the United States this drink is no less popular than in Mexico. Tequila is also produced in the USA, only in this case it is based on bourbon, and its taste is somewhat different. Nevertheless, this drink is very popular among tourists and Americans themselves. First of all, you should pay attention to such manufacturers as Pepe Lopez and Olmeca.

Another undeniably traditional American alcoholic drink is Root Bear root beer. The taste of this drink has nothing in common with the taste of beer we are used to; for some, its taste even resembles the taste of cough syrup. This beer is made from the bark of a tree called Sassafras. This beer can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. You’re unlikely to be able to buy something like this from us, so it’s worth taking another bottle with you to surprise your friends.

Please note that price tags in local stores do not include VAT, so at the checkout the cost of goods will increase slightly, but will increase. The VAT amount depends on the state and ranges from 5 to 12 percent.

Try to buy souvenirs away from popular tourist places, in which case their cost will definitely be lower (sometimes two or even three times). It is best to buy alcohol in specialized Liquor stores, as they offer the largest selection of these products. Alcoholic products are sold strictly upon reaching 21 years of age. If the seller has doubts about the age of the buyer, then he may demand an identity document and if it is not available, then the sale of alcohol will be refused (in America no one takes anyone’s word for it).