What they bring from Los Angeles. What to bring from America as a gift? Souvenirs and gifts

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 for everyone on American whiskey, iPhones and Tiffany? 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 in general, 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 this is such a classic gift, which is brought by all travelers who have visited New York. 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 the most in different 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. There are sweets different tastes, so if you don’t know which ones to choose, take assorted ones.

• 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 - quite useful 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: that is where you will find much more various 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 shape 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! The gingerbread men from polymer clay. They've been decorating mine for 6 years now christmas tree. 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 - there is the best big choice of this product. 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 the store or in the bar.

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

America receives millions of tourists every year from different countries the world and the United States itself. People are interested in nature, historical monuments, and visit popular attractions and places to spend fun leisure time. Undoubtedly, each of them wants to bring home national souvenir, which would remind you of a wonderful journey.

The most popular souvenirs Keychains, magnets with images of the country's landmarks, museum maps, T-shirts with the image of the American flag and much more are considered from America.

Shopping in the USA

Built in large cities many huge shopping centers, where you can buy everything your heart desires. Some shopping areas provide special transport to help you get around the shops.

Apart from shopping centers in America many markets, where you can buy various interesting things at an affordable price. These markets can be highly specialized, that is, aimed at a certain type of collector. By the way, in the USA there are many various auctions, where they can sell absolutely different things.

Traditional souvenirs from America

Undoubtedly, there are traditional american souvenirs. These include various products with the image of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the American flag - these can be magnets, keychains, made of different materials.

The so-called “Indian” products are also popular. These include amulets, dream catchers, etc.

American spirits

American spirits are known to have unique character, so many tourists prefer to bring home a bottle of American strong drink. The aroma and taste of alcohol from the USA are reminiscent of Old World drinks.

However, Americans use in the production of drinks own technologies and raw materials, time-tested. For example, when enjoying bourbon, you can feel the notes of corn. Tequila can surprise with original sparks of agave. The most popular alcoholic drinks purchased by tourists are:

• pisco;
• mezcal;
• cachaca;
• Canadian and American whiskey.

Americans themselves often prefer among other drinks "root" beer, which does not contain alcohol. This is an analogue of ginger beer, invented by the Americans. It has a specific taste, so representatives of other nationalities rarely get carried away with it. This beer is brewed using special technology so that it can be consumed in considerable quantities in hot weather. It must be served cold.

Beer contains few calories and has virtually no taste. Such a drink will become a vivid memory of American culture, so in addition to elite drinks, you can bring some “root” beer to friends and family as a souvenir gift. Buying such a drink will not be difficult, because it was created in America a large number of breweries

Wonderful American Jewelry

Tiffany Jewelry incredibly beautiful and will become a valuable and pleasant gift from the USA. Prices for jewelry may vary depending on the material and type of jewelry. From about $100. And in Macy's, Bergdorf & Goodman and Century 21 stores in New York you can choose original perfumes to delight your loved ones.

Cosmetical tools

You can also purchase high quality cosmetics as a present for mom, sister, friend, beloved. Naked Palette or Book of Shadows Vol. III NYC from Urban Decay is something unimaginable. When you open the box with shadows, you can see an interesting installation that opens along with the lid. This is a souvenir and high-quality cosmetics in one gift. Such a product costs a lot of money in our country, so it’s better to bring original purchased in the USA.

American health products

Quite often, tourists choose teeth whitening strips as a gift or for personal use, which give a remarkable effect in a short time. The teeth simply glow in the dark, however, they are not recommended for people with hypersensitivity. You can buy this type of product in specialized stores.

Dress like an American

Of course, favorite souvenirs from America are a variety of hoodies and t-shirts featuring the American flag or the Statue of Liberty, as well as everyone's favorite traditional vintage signs. It is better to buy them from local traders in markets at a reasonable price. Hoodies can start at $15 and T-shirts can start at $5. There are different T-shirts and T-shirts - with images of the names of famous universities, sports teams, animals, diamonds, checks and stripes for every taste. The variety of such souvenirs always pleases tourists.

In addition, you can bring many original goods of different types from America. brands, which houses can cost many times more, or even simply not be available for sale. You can please your family and friends with a wonderful a pair of original Timberlands, which have an approximate cost of $90 to $155. For women and men, they will cost much less than in branded boutiques at home.

When it comes to a trip to the USA, one cannot ignore such a moment as shopping, which has always been an integral part of the culture of this country. Let's figure out what to bring to your loved ones and how best to please your loved one.

Clothes and shoes

There is a fairly common myth that says that clothes in America are very affordable - this is partly true. Denim products from famous brands Levi’s, Wrangler and Lee will cost you less than in your home country. Among the classic “American brands,” you should pay attention to American Apparel, whose products can be purchased in Russia with great difficulty (especially if you do not live in Moscow), as well as Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.

As for shoes, you can’t ignore Timberland and UGG, the prices for which here are very, very tempting, unlike in Russia. And, of course, don’t forget about the legendary Converse sneakers, because their homeland is the USA.

Men are recommended to visit the store of the famous Brooks Brothers brand, while women should look into the boutique underwear Victoria's Secret or Tiffany (this can hardly be called a budget purchase, but the joy of owning a treasured blue box is priceless).

A memorable, but rather banal purchase may be a hoodie or T-shirt with the inscription “I love NY”, which at local merchants costs from 5 to 15 dollars. A similar sweater, but with the name of a university or baseball team, can be much more interesting.

A much more impressive gift could be a leather one. cowboy hat from Resistol, Wrangler or Stetson. A wide variety of this headdress can be found in southern states such as Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma.

Cosmetics and health products

You can please your friends and other representatives of the fair sex with the help of organic cosmetics Burt's Bees or Avalon Organics. It is impossible not to mention such famous cosmetics brands as Erno Laszlo, Mane’n’Tail, John Frieda, Bliss, and Butter London nail polishes. A special gift could be a Naked Palette or Book of Shadows Vol. III NYC from Urban Decay - when you open the box with shadows, you can see an interesting installation hiding under the lid. This is a souvenir and high-quality cosmetics in one gift.

Teeth whitening strips (for example, Crest 3D White Whitestripes), which give an incredible effect, can be a useful and entertaining gift. It is worth considering that their use is contraindicated for people with sensitive teeth. You can purchase such products in specialized stores.

Edible souvenirs

World-famous American pancakes are unthinkable without maple syrup, which can be purchased at any grocery store. Also, such classic and edible souvenirs as peanut butter, Hershey’s chocolates and marshmallows, which are ideal for your cocoa on cold winter evenings, will not be out of place.

As for alcoholic drinks, pay attention to bourbon (for example, Jim Beam) - the national drink of the United States. Unlike other types of whiskey, bourbon is made from corn and aged in oak barrels. For something less strong, be sure to try root beer (or otherwise, root beer) - it contains few calories and has virtually no taste. Don’t forget about wine, because in Russia they are practically not represented American wines. Among wine-producing countries, the United States is in 4th place, and Californian wines in particular are deservedly considered one of the best in the world.

Everything in bits

If your budget is limited, but souvenirs are still necessary, pay attention to things with the American flag or, alternatively, with the image of the president: mugs, badges, lighters - it can be anything. Inexpensive and an unusual gift maybe a dream catcher is a talisman that protects you from evil spirits during sleep. Initially, those dream catchers that were made by the hands of Indians were considered the most “special”, however, finding similar ones is very problematic, but Chinese fakes are found everywhere. Another original gift could be a vintage sign or one of the souvenirs from M&Ms or Coca-Cola stores. Such things will please both children and adults.

A paradise for fashionistas who follow the latest in the makeup industry. From here it is worth bringing a variety of Naked palettes, the cost of which ranges from 28 to 54 dollars, as well as the legendary MAC cosmetics produced by Estee Lauder and which have become a recognized standard of quality throughout the world. Carmex and EOS lip balms, very sharp Tweezerman Tweezer eyebrow tweezers, and St. scrub, effective for blackheads, are very popular. Ives Apricot Scrub, natural shampoos and Desert Essence, CHI and John Frieda balms, Deborah Lippmann nail polishes, Eucerin (Aquaphor) and Cetaphil skincare products, Clarisonic battery-powered vibrating cleansing brushes, cosmetical tools Urban Decay, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Benefit, NYX and Burt's Bee, application sponge foundation BeautyBlender Sponge and Crest 3D White Whitestrips.

Where to buy souvenirs?

“Small souvenirs, which include magnets, figurines, T-shirts, mugs, keychains, postcards and gift chocolates, are sold in America at every turn,” says Igor Yaritsky, an avid traveler and lover of the United States. — Usually, in the busiest tourist spots, souvenirs are more expensive than in a retail store a few blocks away. So don’t be lazy and walk a couple of blocks, but you’ll save a lot of money, especially if you buy gifts in bulk. I also advise you to visit CVS and Wallgreens pharmacies more often, where they sell not only medicines, but also souvenirs and other industrial products. In America, pharmacies are practically supermarkets, especially if they are located in tourist areas, and their prices are good, especially for souvenirs. By the way, don’t forget to bring a T-shirt with the inscription “I love NY” from New York, an Oscar film award statuette from Los Angeles, and figurines of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters from Disneyland.”

American sweets and products

You will not be able to take from the USA Idaho creamy potato soup, Philadelphia cheese steaks, Chicago thick crust pizza, the famous Latin American rice with chicken, stewed Kahlua pork cooked in an earthen oven, gumbo soup from Louisiana, clam chowder. chowder boiled with milk or cream, and blue crabs from Maryland. However, in America there are many delicious products and ready-made dishes that you can buy before leaving home to treat your friends and family, and even get nostalgic for American cuisine yourself. Bring from the USA pecans, peanut butter with various additives, chocolate-covered pretzels (the most delicious are from Roy Island), Butterfinger candies filled with peanut butter, agave syrup and maple syrup, which is eaten with pancakes and waffles, as well as Pumpkin Spice Cherrios are breakfast rings made only in the fall, generously seasoned with pumpkin spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Another culinary attraction of America is pecan pie, which is best baked in Alabama, and cactus candies and jellies, which can be seen in Arizona stores, are rather exotic, but very savory in taste. A real discovery for you will be Pop tarts, which look like dry cookies, which, after heating in the microwave or toaster, turn into delicious pies with filling.

Salmon is usually brought from Alaska, boiled peanuts (a product for everyone) from Georgia, tea and coffee from Hawaii, green chili peppers from New Mexico, seawater-flavored toffee from New Jersey, although in fact this The state sells 150 varieties of these candies. And don’t forget about such goodies as traditional American marshmallows, the famous M&M’s candies with a variety of flavors and in bright packaging that resemble more toys than sweets, as well as the legendary chewing gum Juicy Fruit and Hershey chocolate treats. Don't miss the pepper-flavored licorice sticks, Indiana chocolate popcorn, Kansas City tomato barbecue sauce, Oklahoma beef jerky, and Missouri pumpkin jam. Chocolate covered potato chips, which are made in North Dakota, are also exotic for us, but worth a try, as are maple cheese from Vermont and aromatic sunflower honey from South Dakota with a unique medicinal composition - as a result scientific research It was found that this honey actively fights bacilli and pathogenic bacteria.

The best alcohol from America

Tourists who are not indifferent to good alcoholic drinks buy a couple of bottles of bourbon - American whiskey made from corn, wheat, rye and barley and aged in charred oak barrels. By the way, the best bourbon is produced in Kentucky. The USA has very tasty beer, and they produce different varieties of it - there is even low-calorie beer Natural Light, Bud Light and Michelob Light, as well as the so-called frozen beer - a very chilled and very strong drink (18% vol.) Dogfish Head is considered the strongest. The national liquor of the United States is root beer (or root beer) made from the bark of the sassafras tree, which is flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, cherry bark, cloves, lemon balm, nutmeg and anise.

Among American alcoholic beverages, not the least important is wine from California, where 90% of all US wines are produced. The best wines are made in the Napa Valley, and they are often flavored with blackcurrant and cocoa, and the cost of one bottle reaches $35.

“Cocktails packaged in small bottles are very tasty, especially Mojito and Pino Colada, which are bought for parties,” says traveler Olga Chernyavskaya. “And you can buy a bottle of tequila for $7—Mexico is nearby!” Interestingly, smokers praise American cigarettes, noting their tart aroma and pleasant taste.

Unusual gifts from different states

“If you find yourself in California, bring baubles and beach glass jewelry from there as souvenirs - an incredibly popular California souvenir,” advises blogger Irina Varsotskaya. “Can you imagine, an ordinary city dump of broken glass has turned over several decades into a unique sea coast with beautiful transparent stones. Tourists from all over the world come to see this beauty. Among these souvenir trophies are gold shavings from Alaska, where gold seekers flocked to the gold rush in the late 19th century - now beautifully packaged gold shavings are sold in souvenir shops. There, I periodically buy miniature replicas of totem poles representing mythical ancestors, and ulu knives, which the native Alaskans used to skin animals.”

In the diamond state of Arkansas, they sell souvenir diamonds made of spectacular optical glass; in Montana, you can buy incredibly beautiful sapphires; in Colorado, jewelry and accessories made from minerals and precious stones are very popular as gifts. If you come to Hawaii, buy ocean pearls, a ukulele with an unusual sound and cute angels made of shells as souvenirs, and in Maine, don’t forget to buy a lobster keychain.

No less popular are cowboy paraphernalia, old vinyl records and Indian exotica, for which you need to go to the Indian settlements of Arizona and New Mexico.

“Here you can buy unique products of the Navajo and Pueblo Indians,” says Dmitry Barkov, an avid Indianist. — The best Indian accessories - jewelry made of silver, turquoise and coral, homespun blankets and carpets with geometric patterns and religious symbols, decorative painted ceramics stylish design, the analogues of which you will not find anywhere, since the Indians are masters of harmonious asymmetry - at least these products look not only colorful, but also impeccable in terms of form. Another bright souvenir is ritual kachina dolls, the cost of which starts from 50-100 dollars.

What things come to your mind when you talk about America? Freedom! Democracy! Jeans! One can endlessly argue about American democracy, but their jeans are truly famous throughout the world, and every self-respecting tourist brings at least a pair from them. 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've added a Rolling Stones double LP to my collection for just $20!