If you’re looking for what to buy in England for souvenirs after a typical London visit, this list might not be for you. But if you’re moving to America after living in England for years, then this is THE shopping list of my favorite British items to buy before repatriating.
Albeit, it’s just a list of stuff that will be replaced over time with US equivalents again. But just as the move was hard on the way from the USA to the UK, the return is equally hard.
And anyone who’s done it before me or about to knows all too well that nauseous feeling upon hearing the airplane doors close. After all, repatriating is a 1-way ticket purchase.
Short of packing your best British friend, the items on this list are what you need to feel connected to the UK and “at home” after moving back to US soil.
If you aren’t trying to kidnap your best British friend and simply looking for London souvenirs or a gift idea from England for an American, I have those shopping lists, too.
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What to Buy in England Before Repatriating To the US
All the quintessentially British foods, textiles, and even cars that you once feared because they were so different upon first arriving in the UK, suddenly are your “can’t live without” items.
For me, it was always Cheez-Its, spices, and Torchy’s Tacos that I missed from the USA. Now, it’s everything from flower carts, Tunnocks, and even underwear (that’s pants for you British friends).
The Not-So-Practical UK Things To Buy Need Advance Planning
Okay, so no judging. This is in fact my real shopping list and includes extreme to practical items.
My biggest tip for you is to plan ahead. If you know that you’ll be living in England for a certain number of years, don’t wait until the last minute.
My husband and I are disappointed that we didn’t anticipate moving sooner because the #1 item is really difficult to find, acquire, and export within 30 days of our repatriation news – especially during Covid.
Meanwhile, the other items to buy in England are far more practical. Well, mostly. 😁
My UK Shopping Splurge of 20 British Things
In no particular order, consider these items for inspiration or what to buy in England before repatriating back to America.
1. 25+-year-old Land Rover Defender – In order to import a Land Rover Defender to the US, it has to be at least 25 years old. Use these tips for shopping for a Defender in the UK to ship to America.
2. Vintage UK flag to frame
3. Clocks – London or train station-style clock as seen in this gift for friend post. Another super fun option that will continuously remind you of the coast is this only-in-England Tatty Devine lobster clock. Mine is waiting for installation in our Maine lake house.
4. Personalized House Picture – This British gift idea is in the going-away-gifts post. A photo of your UK home is a lovely reminder when hung next to your new entryway door after you’ve moved back to America.
5. Sandals if you’re moving back to a state that boasts warm weather nearly year-round. Nothing says Britain like Fairfax & Favor “The Brancaster”, especially if you love Norfolk.
6. M&S Biscuit Tins & Percy Pigs
7. Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Bars – You can buy a 2-pack at M&S. These Scottish wafer bars make the best gifts for Americans so stock up before moving.
8. Football Kits For Kids – Sports Direct has a number of football kits reasonably priced nearly year-round. Youth kits for Premier League teams are trickier to purchase in the US.
9. Fortnum & Mason Damson & Gin Conserve
10. Warner’s or Whitley Neill Rhubarb Gin
Movers in the UK won’t pack spices, open food, or liquor. Oddly they pack non-flammable cleaning supplies. 🤔
11. Tea! Teapigs or Taylor’s of Harrogate – If you have a favorite tea you’ve discovered in England, be sure to stock up before moving back. Oddly, because it’s so obvious, it’s likely the one thing you forget to include in your what to buy in England list before moving. The thing is, unique London tea brands and across the UK are tricky to find in America.
12. London Mug – If you enjoy Gogglebox, this coffee mug might satisfy both needs: a reminder of Gogglebox’s obnoxious mugs on the telly, and a fun daily cup for afternoon tea.
13. Tea Towels of Favorite England Places – There are so many to choose from and a great London souvenir for anyone. A few of my favorite towel gifts are even at Heathrow (but don’t wait to buy at Heathrow since shops are closed during Covid).
14. Briefcase from Pickett London – This is the ultimate leather briefcase for any male despite it’s “older generation” appearance. In fact, the last time my husband and I went to simply browse this teeny tiny boutique store off Savile Row, two young male professionals were buying more than 1 at once.
15. Bespoke Men’s Suit from Savile Row – Unfortunately most places that offer custom tailoring are closed or with incredibly low production but Cerimonia in St Albans is a great alternative. The Cerimonia selection and customer experience are top-notch. They will even work with you to ship to America if you’re in a time crunch.
16. Zara Outfits For My Daughter – Since British school uniforms will be a thing of the past once stateside, fun girl outfits from Zara make entering a public school again a bit more exciting. Zara US is limited!
17. Christmas Ornament – Of ALL the British things to buy to take to America, this is one to not forget.
18. Special Books – Make sure any particular book you really want to own is available for sale in the US before you leave England. Two of my favorite UK books include Pretty In London and Maps of The United Kingdom. More kids’ favorite books are here.
19. British Cards – Birthday cards, anniversary cards, Father’s Day cards, Christmas, and every other occasion. British made cards are so much better and less expensive than American ones. It might sound odd right now but once you’re stateside, you’ll quickly wish you’d stocked up on the fun, charitable, British-made cards. I fell short on stocking up before moving back to Texas.
20. M&S Seamless Boy Shorts – Seriously, they are the best! But if you’re not sure, I have a few other M&S favorites.
Final Tips On What To Buy In England Before Moving Back To America
Flowers. There is nothing in the US (at least not Texas, Maine, Oregon, California…) like the flower carts, flower shops, and blooms sold in the UK – even in British grocery stores.
If flowers and seeds could ship from the UK to the US, they’d be on this repatriation shopping list. So it’s no wonder why British blooms might be one of my most missed things about walking around England. They aren’t only wild, unique, and totally affordable compared to the US, they are just so beautiful, fresh, and last for days as compared to what you can buy in the USA. So, my tip here is to enjoy the blooms as much as you can before you repatriate.
While my UK shopping splurge might not entirely resonate with your favorite things about living in England, I hope it’s inspired you. Make a list of what to buy in England before having to settle into your new (again) American one.
If you’ve repatriated to the USA, what was the #1 thing you bought in England that helped you with the move?
Looking for more about living in England? Try these.
- British Things You Can’t Get In America
- 11 Good Things About Living In The UK (And Why I Want To Stay)
- Looking to move to the UK? Use this 👉🏻 MOVING ABROAD CHECKLIST
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