Travelers
from countries like the Philippines definitely know a thing or two about
souvenir hunting. After all, finding and bringing home a full suitcase full of
pasalubong to family and friends is a cherished tradition that runs deep in our
culture.
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| Nanay's handmade basket from La Union is a great souvenir idea |
However,
souvenir hunting can sometimes be both tricky and a money drain, given that
Filipinos often have large families and a knack for making many close friends.
This otherwise thoughtful gesture can sometimes stretch budgets and put undue
pressure on travelers when money is especially tight.
With
proper planning, you’ll be able to buy your pasalubong for everyone without
breaking the bank. Here are several well-worn souvenir hunting tips that will
keep your travel budget intact:
1)
Set a Doable Souvenir Budget
Souvenirs
should be part of your budget when you travel, especially if you know that you
can’t help but buy a few things for yourself and the people you love. If that’s
truly the case, you should create room for a realistic souvenir fund right from
the beginning.
Look
for a savings account product
like that of Maya that lets you set up easy money transfers for particular
goals. Use the Maya Personal Goals feature to allocate money specifically for
souvenirs so that you know that the funds have been earmarked specifically for
this purpose. That way, you’re far likelier to hit your travel fund goals in
general and accumulate an ample amount of money for your souvenir budget.
2)
Make a List
Once
you’ve set up your souvenir fund, list the people you want to buy souvenirs
for. Next, list down possible things they might enjoy and allocate a specific
price ceiling for each person. This will help you remember everyone you’ve
committed to shopping for and avoid expensive last-minute gift shopping.
3)
Research Marketplaces at Your Destination
Before
your trip, look up popular local markets at your destination that might have
the items your loved ones want. This can make shopping for items more efficient
and avoid needless back-and-forth traveling.
4)
Buy in Bulk
A bulk of locally made souvenir products I took home from one of my trips
Some
friends and family can be hard to shop for. Fortunately, most of them probably
won’t mind simpler, easier-to-source gifts. In these cases, you can consider
purchasing their gifts in bulk. Items like keychains or magnets can usually be
bought in big batches at marketplaces, saving you money and leaving more room
in the budget.
5)
Look for Unique Local Products
If
you can spare the time, however, you should probably skip generic gifts and
prioritize unique local products that better embody the place you’re visiting.
In particular, purchasing from local artisans not only supports the communities
you’re visiting but also gives you access to unique and often very high-quality
items at fair prices.
6)
Shop at Local Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
Speaking
of unique local products, supermarkets and convenience stores often carry a lot
of local snacks and even unique toiletries that make great souvenirs. Items at
these places tend to be far cheaper than the stuff you might find at local
tourist traps, making them a big win for your budget.
7)
Haggle Wisely
As
Filipinos, the concept of haggling or tawad has long been a feature of our
wider consumer culture. However, even within the Philippines, haggling is not
always an option and may be seen as rude in many contexts. Still, there are
plenty of markets all over the world where haggling is encouraged or even
expected.
Before
you leave home, look up local guides in advance to learn about the places and
contexts where haggling is a good idea. So long as you remain respectful and
polite, you might just score a good deal on your souvenirs.
8)
Avoid Last-Minute Shopping
Last-minute
shopping takes away the time you need to make deliberate decisions on your
souvenir purchases. If you find yourself in a time crunch, chances are you’ll
walk away with expensive impulse purchases that would have been cheaper
elsewhere, often with little guarantee that they’ll be liked by the recipients.
Knowing that, always leave enough time in your itinerary to purchase your
souvenirs.
9)
Use Loyalty Points
If
you have loyalty points on your credit card or from travel-related services,
you may be able to use them to purchase goodies for your loved ones. Using up
these often neglected points can help you save money without compromising on
the quality of your souvenirs.
10)
Prioritize Small and Lightweight Items
Every
Filipino traveler has a funny story or two about excess baggage fees. These
dilemmas can mostly be avoided by choosing lightweight souvenirs that won’t add
much to your luggage weight or shipping costs.
11)
Check for Duty-Free Shops at the Airport
For
those on a tight budget, airport shops are probably among the worst places to
score deals. But if your itinerary didn’t go as expected, they may be the only
option available if you want to be able to buy souvenirs for everyone on your
list. If you must buy from the airport, look for duty-free shops that offer
tax-free prices to keep your overall travel costs down.
12)
Don’t Forget Your Own Souvenirs
We
often prioritize the people we love over ourselves. But your travels will be
more meaningful if you budget enough to buy at least one souvenir that means
something to you. These don’t have to be the typical snacks, T-shirts, and
knick-knacks either. Taking lots of photos or even participating in local
customs are great alternatives that won’t impact your budget.
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| An artwork souvenir from Zamboanga City |
Stretch
Your Budget with Smarter Pasalubong Shopping
If
you’re smart about it, shopping for pasalubong doesn’t have to be a stressful
or expensive experience. With a bit of planning, you’ll be able to bring home
meaningful gifts that can transform what’s typically a chore into a cherished
and economical part of your journeys.
