When traveling abroad or to any new place, it is common to want to bring gifts home for loved ones. However with all of the restrictions on airline travel these days, it has become difficult to bring something back for everyone.That is why I have gone back to an established standard of travelers, and it has proven to be habit-forming. In short, I began to send postcards to everyone who might appreciate one.

It has been much more expensive than I thought it would be, but I have really enjoyed it. They make good personalized gifts to friends and family.

Think about it, why should I buy someone a shot glass that says “Argentina” on it when I can send them a postcard of La Casa Rosada?

It takes up zero space in luggage and it doesn’t break in the line at customs, either.

Plus I get to slip in a little reminder like: “Hey, the weather in Buenos Aires is great. I was thinking of you and how you owe me $12 and a pack of cigarettes.”

“Hey, I am watching Sunday Night Football and your team is playing awful. Right now, life is your cruel mistress. I just thought that you would like to be reminded of this moment three weeks from now,” is another strong option.

A postcard with the inscription, “Hey Mom, send money,” though tactless, may prove to be useful.

I also have an idea that this method of gift-giving may be useful for absolving one’s own conscience.

An example would be, “Hey, Pete! Do you remember that time that somebody drank all of your beer and you blamed Will and kicked the fridge then I had to take you to the emergency room? Well, I drank that beer. Buenos Aires is great. Cheers!”

That is just a theory, though not one that I am personally ready to put to trial.

There are other gift options available but I’m not very good at choosing gifts for people. Plus, how many mate gourds can I actually fit into a duffle bag and drag through customs?

We are in an era of globalization and I don’t find the phrase “Made in China, but bought in Uruguay” special?

I could pick up some handmade crafts that take up a lot of space, too.

I feel that the postcards give the option of really personalizing something. They tend to save money too, which is becoming increasingly important in my case.

Editor’s note: Ryland received a Gilman Scholarship and is studying at Universidad Austral and the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina this semester. Ryland is ETSU’s first Gilman scholarship winner.

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