Yesterday, the extended family went out to a lavish theater production. The sets were amazing, complete with a huge animatronic whale, a “zillion” stars in the theater ceiling and plenty of live animals.
Of course, there was the inevitable souvenir shops built into the theater lobby. This place was better than most. There were a few nice quality selections in different price ranges, and nothing was really overpriced. Still, we knew that our budget didn’t account for any additional spending at the gift shop.
Sometimes those gift shops can be a real temptation. They are filled with colorful objects that appeal not only to the kids, but to the adults as well. Wander in and before you know it, you could be spending big bucks.
So what are some strategies that can keep you from spending money at the gift shop?
Analyze Yourself
What is it that you want to buy and why? Do you just want a memory from the trip or event? Maybe the free program or ticket stub will be enough. Do you feel like you should be able to spend because you are on vacation? If so, maybe that money might be better spent on another activity instead of a souvenir. If you do buy something, where will it go in your house? Will it be useful or clutter?
Have Plenty of Distractions
When it comes to the kids, having some other distractions away from the gift shop can be helpful. During intermission, we basically fought our way through the rest rooms, so there was no time for the gift shop. At the end of the show, the kids were having so much fun running around with their cousins that the gift shop wasn’t as attractive.
Allow a Look…Maybe
Sometimes you can satisfy the temptation of the gift shop just by having a look. My daughter likes looking at pretty things, and is happy to view the shop as if it were another attraction. This could backfire into wanting things that you didn’t want before, so the strategy may not work for everyone.
Decide Ahead of Time if You Will Purchase Anything
When we asked the kids ahead of time, the one thing they really wanted were some delicious sugared almonds that they remembered from a previous visit. So, we set aside money for two bags of these special almonds. Knowing ahead of time what you can buy makes visiting the gift shop a non-issue. You could also set a dollar amount, instead of a specific purchase.
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