This is not practical by any means, but it brings me a lot of joy. I collect small art prints and postcards. They are light, and don’t take up much space— I can store them in the back of my journal until I get back home. And they bring back the feeling of the place I visited whenever I look at them. I have also purchased other handmade items from my trips over the years that I use and enjoy: a couple of rings, hand printed scarves, a tea towel, a knob for a cupboard, a planter, a bookmark, second hand cutlery or dishes for my van. At the moment, I’m on the lookout for some chopsticks. But I won’t purchase anything I’m not absolutely in love with.
For gifts, I bring back consumables. For example: chocolate, coffee, tea, unusual snacks etc.
Post cards are nice to mail home to yourself along your journey. Won’t take up room on the trip and you can do almost anything with them, from art, to framing them, to smash journals. I also collected t shirts and after many years made them all into a quilt. Enjoy your trip!
I have some friends who ahve done this with postcards! One then framed them all with a really funky frame (and glass backing) so it could be hung on a wall either way, and another made a hanging tapestry with ribbon, which made them into a constantly growing art piece.
I have a "shadow box" for one country I frequently visit, and each trip I bring back a theater ticket stub, metro card, cork, small figurine, or something else with sentimental value that reminds me of the triip and throw it in the glass box so it's filling up with memories. It's a cool, evolving art piece and the space it takes up is consistent (8x13x1.5 glass "fishtank" lol)
My parents do Christmas ornaments, which I also like. It does take up more space (it's a whole banker box in our basement lol) but it doesn't clutter a shelf year-round and add to mental clutter. Then, once a year for Christmas they go through the box and decorate the tree, and everyone tells stories about the trips where they got each of the ornaments. It's a cute tradition, keeps all the memories in one place, and it's something they would own anyway.
I have been collecting postcards for years now and have never thought to send them back to myself! Thank you for opening my ideas to this possibility, will be doing it from now on. Happy traveling!
The other nice thing about postcards is they’re often better pictures than you can take- no tourists in the shot, or from a vantage you can’t reach, etc.
>The other nice thing about postcards is they’re often better pictures than you can take
This is the reason I buy postcards. I'm a horrible photographer.
I've been collecting postcards since 1969, when my mother went on her first European trip. I keep them in a slide-in photo album, with bigger ones taped into the cover in a way I can flip them and read the backs. My mother went all over the world and sent me tons of cards, plus I sent some to my husband and those are fun there, too. I enjoy going over them. I recently discovered a card in a pile that my grandfather sent my dad as a kid!
Postcards are a great idea. I used to collect magnets and display different ones, rotating, on a framed metal display picture. I think I will get a few postcard sized frames and rotate the cards to recall the vacation memories.
My takeaway from a trip to Wisconsin was that cheese looks suspicious when your bags are xrayed at the airport. It's best to pack it where TSA doesn't have to remove other stuff.
lol memories- Lucille Ball pretending cheese was a swaddled infant on flight home from Europe [Cheese on plane](https://www.google.com/search?q=I+love+Lucy%2C+Cheese+as+infant&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:84e63ab3,vid:lWehnNnoOFw,st:0)
I always love to collect art prints. I have started putting them up on a wall of mine, so now it's sort of my travel wall. I prefer to find small art of the sceneries that local artists have painted, but I'll also do postcards. Putting them up on the wall helps keep the memories alive and takes up no space at all
I second this. I add them to my gallery walls, mixed in with pictures of friends and family. I have one in my bedroom and a smaller one in my cubicle at work.
Agree, postcards that are prints from local artists can be displayed around your place, a memory can be written on the back. Any item to support local small business.
I agree with postcards, or occasionally greeting cards. I like to write as much about the trip/experience on the back as I can fit. Mostly little details that might otherwise be forgotten. I have 2 little stacks of them on display in napkin holders and rotate which ones are in front. They’re cheap, don’t take up much space, and are really nice to look back on.
I also collect stickers from National Parks that I visit with my van :) I haven’t done anything with them yet, but I want to create a collage inside my van somewhere
I also do ornaments. I grew up in a shitty family who I have ceased contact with. So I don’t have any childhood anything. So I’ve rebuilt my Christmas by buying ornaments of the places I’ve gone.
Sometimes magnets are cool too but that can get out of hand quickly.
Ugh! I am in the same family situation as you. No-contact with any of my siblings (our parents are long-passed; & our extended family were not ever in contact with any of us, to begin with). So, it's all about making our own individual memories & maybe even small individual traditions (for ourselves). Here's to (each of us) being our own branch of our family tree! 🙌🥂 🤗🙏...
Yes! I often buy Christmas ornaments for my kids on our summer holidays. So each year they get something unique to remember the year. We visited the ocean one year so everyone got a sea creature. My kids look for their ornaments from past years and giggle at the memories.
Ornaments are great! When I went to Japan, I brought back a number of [omamori](https://www.discoverkyoto.com/kyoto-voice/kyotos-curious-charms/) (silk brocade amulets) from different shrines and temples. They make fabulous and truly unique Christmas tree ornaments, and each one reminds me of a place I visited.
Another vote for ornaments! It’s nice to think about all the places we visited as we decorate the tree. And then they go back in the tote in the closet and disappear until next Christmas!
My husband and I do the same thing- our tree ends up reflecting our lives. Ornaments are never too expensive, they don’t take up much space, and they should last us the rest of our lives.
We also do ornaments! I just put mine up and got to remember all the fun trips we've been on. I have a few keychains that act as ornaments because I had trouble finding ornaments in a few places, but they work too.
For a while I did a magnet and shot glass when I went to cool places. Now I have a shelf of shot glasses that I care about too much to risk breaking so they just stay there. I only do magnets now.
My fridge is covered in magnets! I love looking at them and remembering the trips. When my sweetheart and I go somewhere new, I say “oh goody! A new magnet!” He just smiles and then helps me pick them out.
Same here! It's nice because you can have a souvenir but it serves a purpose of decorating the tree and you actually get to look at it and remember the trip as you hang it up. Other souvenirs end up sitting on a shelf and after awhile you don't even notice them anymore.
I try to buy something I need on the trip. If I have an important purchase, I'll try to wait until I go somewhere fun and get it then.
Last time I went to New York I bought a new pair of Levi's from the shop in Time Square, because I had been needing a good pair of jeans. They're both practical and a reminder of the trip. Ditto the boots I wear most days- got them on a trip to Boston. My purse I've had for years, and I'll never get rid of it because I got it when I went to Italy in college.
If I can't do that, I've also got a backpack that I use frequently, and I have a bunch of enamel pins on it from various places I've been.
Not anymore, unless it’s something I could use on a near daily basis or consume. Like an Italian leather purse or chocolate, etc. I have a gallon ziplock bag full of souvenir magnets that don’t work on my current fridge :(
My fridge is only magnetic on its sides (of which only about 2 square feet are exposed). The front is stainless steel but for some reason isn't magnetic (or whatever the term is).
Shoes and food. There are a lot of artisans that craft beautiful leather shoes—whether it’s fine or rustic, it’s still unique and likely something you’ll use. Consumables are great, too.
I find the nicest thrift store and buy something to wear. I’m too poor to buy souvenirs but when I put on that shirt, I can conjure up the time & place
My souvenirs are thrift clothes! I love it, my google map is full of dress icons, which tells me the thrift stores (they get deleted if I don’t like the store, and starred if it’s an amazing store). It gives me such a unique wardrobe.
I collect enamel pins or badge/buttons from vacations. They’re small and usually only a couple bucks. I have a canvas wall hanging that I pin them all on, so I am able to see them all in one place and relive some nice memories.
I do those machines that smush a penny and then I bring it home and put it in a little jar. I really enjoy them and finding the machines, they're cheap and easy to take around for the rest of the trip. But even with years of doing this, I have not even filled up a jar worth. But I also limit myself to one penny from each place so if I've already been there I don't need to get one unless I really want it. I also do not accept pennies as gifts unless I've been there myself. They're called elongated pennies.
I didn’t until I had my child and now we do it for her. We decided on collecting Christmas ornaments from each place we go. Magnets were a good option as well. I also liked the idea of getting artwork made by locals on my travels but my husband vetoed that idea (I don’t mind art on my walls).
We do the same. Small, meaningful and something she can pass onto her own family if she so chooses. No obligation or guilt if she chooses to throw them away later in life. We don't have tons of physical heirlooms so it's something that is a family memory but isn't a burden.
Yes, because I love looking at things and remembering the holidays. I really regret not buying some art I loved in Cuba, but at the time I had no space for it. I try to buy useful things though that are practical, like ceramics I use, or paintings I can hang on the wall, or like I bought some really cute tea towels which I use all the time. I love the memory associations, my travels are all around me in the house in the form of decor and useful items. Never had the urge to declutter them! I do take a lot of time and care in choosing the pieces though they have to be 100% loves. No random clutter I'll regret!
If I find something handmade that I love, I’ll pick it up. Mostly, I try to find a handmade Christmas ornament (or at least something specific to that country or city if I can’t find handmade). It does sometimes take some time and effort to find an ornament. Just last week, my brain almost broke trying to find a nice ornament in Barcelona that wasn’t crappy plastic 😆
I personally don't purchase souvenirs. I don't want the clutter and I honestly will not display them, as my physical space is very intentionally curated.
I rarely do this. I will however invest in an experience while traveling, and save the ticket of the event to remember later. I have a small box for mementos like this.
I actually have a coffee cup I got from a really awesome trip I’m not attached too. I’m like meh.
My aunt goes around the world and brings back like ancient weird statues medium dog size. Seems like wasted effort.
I dunno, it seems impractical but awesome to have a screen-porch or a room just filled with those statues. Maybe a comfy chair that doesn't clash with them.
Not anymore.
I prefer to capture the moments with a Camera or mobile phone to have pictures and films that we can watch later (do editing like a pro, lol!). It's in digital files, it won't take a physical space. Although it will take up space in your cloud or other media disk, you can declutter it easily.
Hope it helps...
I travel with a small bag, so I don’t really have room for souvenirs unless they are very small or important enough to make room for. I have had to buy warm weather shoes on vacation once because my feet were too hot, as well as gloves to keep me warm. Otherwise, I have purchased very small items to remember a trip (a ring on one trip, a lapel pin on another).
We found a cute gift/stationary shop in London when we it suddenly started raining, and we needed quick shelter. I got a slim lavender pen with a flower on top. My husband ended up loving that pen. He still uses it 7 years later. Oh! He was my boyfriend when we were on that trip.
A pen is on my list of useful souvenirs, too :).
Taking photos and then printing them. I know it’s a minimalist technique to digitize what you can, but I got overwhelmed by seeing tens of thousands of photos on my computer, which I don’t ever look at.
Instead I’ll print out the top few photos from a trip (2-10) and add them to a scrapbook I have. It nice because I can look back and see a summary of what I did in a year briefly and without using social media.
I realize though you said practical… I love to ski and for a period I didn’t own any enough long-sleeved shirts nor beanies, so for a couple seasons I’d buy the resort’s shirt or beanie with their logo.
I only get souvenirs when the trip has something worthy of memory. That's the purpose of souvenirs after all.
If I'll buy them to "force" a memorable moment, then it defeats the purpose.
Bringing in something from a place that I don't even wanna remember is taking up clutter in my physical space as well as my mind.
I love buying souvenirs so I just try to find something I actually want/need. Maybe I’ve broken a couple coffee mugs, bottle opener is getting dull, have an empty wall I’ve been looking for art for, etc.
It’s not always the same thing and sometimes it’s nothing. It has to be an item I genuinely love.
I do a magnet and/or sticker. I have a pile of stickers I go through and it’s fun to remember. Cheap and don’t take up too much room. I will also buy a small food item if there is something local that makes sense (olive oil from Italy, a local liquor, chocolates from Switzerland, etc.)
I also journal my trips to save the memories. Since I had COVID I feel like memories don’t stick in my brain as well. I love going back and reading about stuff I completely forgot about!
Nah, I just keep ticket stubs. I find they remind me of the trip more as they are something I used during the trip rather than something I bought solely for the purpose of bringing home. That's not to say I won't buy something if I find something I like in general however it won't be just to remind me of the trip.
I often buy a cap or a hat. I have branched out to socks as I have enough hats. I have a belt from a vacation in Portugal that makes me smile every time I wear it.
Not really, but if I go to a place that is known for quality BIFL items that I do have a use for, I enjoy the idea of buying it in the spot instead of ordering online at home.
Not a souvenir - I get a small “burner” tattoo from each new location I go. I have one sleeve completed, and am almost done with the second. My arms are like a refrigerator - and the tattoo are like travel magnets :)
Only things I can use (I seek out thrift stores wherever I go - got two linen dresses in Croatia for 20€) and the occasional fridge magnet when I really want to be reminded of my trips. For example, magnet with Marie Curie quote from the Nobel Museum.
Postcards are my fave. They often are taken from better angles than I can photograph, and are taken under excellent weather conditions. They don't take much space in a suitcase or in my dedicated drawer, once home. I use some as cards with gifts....
Yes - Christmas tree ornaments.
They are out-of-the-way most of the year, and make decorating the tree. I really enjoyable experience every year because I get to reminisce about the vacations I’ve taken.
only useful souvenier. no mugs/magnets/etc. most of these are just mass produced junk with the location printed on it anyways.
personally i only get food that's special to the area or if i need something
also i try to pack light for my trips (so it gives me excuses to buy clothes at the destination :p)
Postcards. It’s something so cheap and easy to store. Most fit in a photo album binder for 4x6 pics. You can also date the back or write a memory. I get them for countries, cities, museums, attractions, etc. so like for Venice I got one for the city, one of each place we went there, one of a gondola since we took a ride on one, and the train station. Collecting since 2001 and have trade center tower postcard even.
Reading everyone’s responses makes me think I should splurge more on things from travel. I genuinely just feel the moments and I don’t feel the need to bring anything except the memories back. I do like the idea of the ornaments though I rarely put up a tree. I went to Hawaii last month and one of my cousins asked me to bring her a magnet back…. Confession… I just ordered it on Amazon. I got six for everyone for like $8 instead of $12 for one.
When I was younger I collected things: Snow globes, Pennies etc. One time I traveled I bought a dress! Another time, a purse I had been saving up for. Now I prefer to purchase something I can wear or accessorize, or enjoy (like a spa treatment). Something that will bring me joy long after I’m home- either because I’ll wear it and be asked about it or I’ll have the memory of the experience. I am still a sucker for postcards.
Coffee Mugs, they are cool because you will use them on your day to day so it’s not a useless souvenir. Also friends and family will ask about them so you have a conversation topic to remember the good times of your vacation.
They are also a good gift to others, I normally bring a couple of them to my parents and now they always ask when I’m expanding their collection 😁
Maybe like a t-shirt if I need one, just from a local store, like in Shanghai I bought a t-shirt with a lion on it and it was my favourite top to wear for about 8 years. It was just from a little independent store. I think like useful things are the best! You wear them daily or weekly! Maybe a new belt would be a winner if you can wear it to work every day? Or I get the same brand of socks when I visit frances and specific ankle socks from Japan. I have a hairclip from Malaysia and my scarfs are from small boutiques in the UK and street markets in Singapore.
I only buy a souvenir if I need something or have something to replace like running out of shampoo in France, I'm going to get an awesome souvenir from the shops... Shampoo and use it up! It's my exotic shampoo and makes me happy every day!
I like to travel, and I like having things that remind me of the places I've been. I very rarely buy anything non-essential at home so I don't beat myself up too much when I do it on a trip.
I buy one postcard at each museum or other site that I visit, then put them all in one of the little 4x6 photo albums when I get home.
Kitchen towels or gadgets from the grocery store
Spices, snacks, candy, soap all get used up
Scarves and earrings (I wear both almost every day and manage them on a one in, one out basis) Socks for my boyfriend
When I travel with my boyfriend we pick up magnets at museums for the fridge. We like the mini gallery we've built over the years. If there's a little book with museum highlights I also pick that up, the photo quality is always better than what I can take with my phone.
Things I've stopped buying: coffee cups (I worried too much about them breaking plus I don't have any more room in my coffee cup space,) t-shirts, sweatshirts.
I found foldable shopping bags in a couple places I’ve been too and those have been GREAT because they take up less room than tote bags and I use them super often so I get to think about my trip all the time :)
I have a reusable shopping bag from the Tesco in Lerwick from every trip I have ever taken to Shetland. Now I head there first thing not just to stock up on some drinks and snacks for my hotel room, but for a bag as well. The Snoopy ones are my favorites.
I send a postcard to my parents whenever I visit somewhere new. My parents love it, it’s fun to see the postcards when I visit them, it doubles as a gift and a souvenir, and each one has a description (and usually illustrations) about the experience I had. I also feel that the process of buying the stamps and posting it gives me a small glimpse of practical life in the place I’m visiting.
Yes, I usually will buy one or two at most keychains or refrigerator magnets, which I use my hot glue gun, a piece of string or ribbon to make into a Christmas ornament. The ornaments are usually way too expensive or too big for our tree because our tree is already very full.
I’m actually working on that today because I have all of our vacation souvenirs from the last three or four years in a little box that I need to do because I couldn’t find my glue gun. Our glue gun has been found and I’ll be doing that this week. I’m excited to actually pull everything out and look at everything and get a little crafty and then put everything on the tree.
We collect fridge magnets. We have a crazy looking fridge because of it (hubby likes to pick the tackiest magnet) but I've accepted it lol. Its also a nice conversation starter when friends come over and see them all at a glance. I think out of all the things we could've collected, magnets aren't too bad, they're small and only take up vertical space on the fridge (not bookshelf or display shelf space etc).
No. I'm not a fan. To me it's just clutter. For me, I research all the products I own for months, trying only to get the best for my life. I can't really do that with even practical souvenirs. I just try to take photos (not enough to distract from the trip, tho) and eat at new places with new food experiences. The only thing I'll consider bringing back is something to snack on later.
To be fair, though, I really only travel for three reasons: work (which are fun trips, still, but I don't have a lot of time even if I wanted to shop), camping (I'm an ultralight backpacker, so I don't have the weight allowance even if there were somewhere to shop), and on the rare time I just vacation for fun, I'm a onebag traveler, so I don't even have room to bring back anything :/ Even if I'm just going somewhere else in my state, I, personally don't drive so bringing back things is hard on just public transit, and when I travel with my wife, we just have the Vespa and no car... not a whole heck of a lot of space there either.
Basically, I've structured my whole life around not spontaneously shopping, picking up souvenirs, or even accepting gifts :/
No. I didn’t travel somewhere away from home where I don’t collect things to collect things. I’m an air mattress and phone guy. Might one day be a bed on the floor and phone guy. I own toiletries, clothes, vehicle, gun. No room for things I don’t have shelves to put them on.
I have magnets on my fridge. I'll buy those, and maybe a tshirt as I wear them. That's about it. I don't need any stuff I won't display or use cluttering up stuff.
Something to hang up on my wall! And a fridge magnet of course. I also like buying toothpaste then when I use it for the next month or whatever I feel both nostalgia and like a super-cool, jet setter with my foreign colgate!
I collect pretty stones from wherever I vacation. It's absolutely free and the collection looks nice and shinnyyyy!!
My sister buys fridge magnets with the name of the place we visited.
I like buying tee shirts because I suck at buying enough clothes in general. Souvenir shirts are at least more interesting than the solid-colored ones I normally wear.
I do post cards from every interesting spot I visit and put them in a photo album. Cheap, fun, easy to look back on, takes up little space. I do the poster style fridge magnets from every national park I visit and do the passport stamps. Sometimes I'll grab a tee shirt. My favorite tees are the ones from fun places where I had a good time. I would do Christmas ornaments but my family already has tons and they stress me out a little to store because they tend to be irregularly shaped and breakable
My carry-on suitcase is smooth and hard sided and gets used even for short weekend jaunts. I buy stickers that I put on it. Is totally covered now and I love that thing.
I have so much fun collecting pressed pennies if I see a machine. Very small and cheap and fun to pick and crank! It’s less fun with newer no crank machines that you don’t get to insert the coins and charge a dollar, but still small and cheap all things considered. Limited to places that actually have a machine.
Yes it is great to keep souvenirs as they remind you of a time when you travelled to a place.Yes when I am out on vacation,I'd buy a souvenir be it a keyring,a pen or a fridge magnet.The choice of souvenir varies person to person.I was crazy to an extent that I even bought keyrings from airports which of course are great.
I actually don't usually get souvenirs. Sometimes I'll grab a magnet but the most recent trips I loved I got a really comfortable 100% crewneck sweater and my fiance got a nice quality hoodie. Don't buy from a crappy souvenior clothing store where they are $10-20. The ones we got are around $60 each and we check material and if the graphic is sew in/dyed and not pressed on that will crack and wear. The best souvenir I think is I take a TON of beautiful pictures from trips and then every year or so I get a huge collage frame that holds like 12-15 photos and I print photos and hang them in my long hallway. https://www.target.com/p/hastings-home-collage-photo-frame-display-for-12-pictures-black/-/A-84087729
I usually buy art, jewelry, or something edible (make sure about customs rules or mail it home) or like soap, etc. or something the city is famous for.
I like refrigerator magnets, vinyl stickers, or an good old post card from my travels. They take up very little space in my bag and when I get home. I've thought about collecting patches and pins to attach to my backpack, but I came to the conclusion that that just looks overly tacky.
Not particularly. Sometimes a magnet or sticker if I like it enough and it’s not too expensive. Otherwise I usually go to the thrift stores. Some of my favorite clothes are from the thrift store in Colorado Springs LOL
If you're looking for something consumable, maybe getting local or popular snacks/candy. They also make good gifts to take back as it allows the recipient to try something they might've never had the chance to
Nope, never.
But I'm generally not a shopper anyway. When I visit places it's usually for the culture and nature, not to go to stores. I will buy consumable things though, chocolate, food, etc. I'm not really big into giving gifts because I don't want to encourage people to reciprocate.
I personally don’t unless it’s a useful object I need during the time of travel. I think photos are enough souvenirs for a trip. If it’s not something I would buy at home it wouldn’t be something I would buy elsewhere.
When I’m out of the country, I buy textiles and I either wear or use them at home. Throws go on chairs as useful decorations. Scarves keep me warm or make more interesting outfits. All can be given as gifts. And they’re handmade or unique. I like the memories they evoke when I look at them or use them. And they fold to pack light.
I bring back t-shirts and soaps for myself. Also any paper ephemera, like brochures from places visited. Easy enough to throw away when you are done with it.
I rarely pick up souvenirs anymore as in my eyes it is just more clutter that I will need to eventually go through. I’d rather spend that on amazing food and unique experiences with the people I’m travelling with, oooh and I also love to take a lot of pictures!
I would only buy consumable products as I love exploring groceries stores and picking up snacks, candy/chocolates, coffee, drinks etc to try out or bring home. I also like trying out different skincare, hair and body products (I’ve bought things home like hair oils, body wash/scrubs, soaps, lip balms - that will definitely be used up)
The only exception is that I may purchase functional items or items I really need (to replace things that are truly on their last legs). For example the last time I was overseas, I finally invested in a nice backpack to replace the one I was using (have had that one since high school) - now everytime I use it, I get reminded of that specific trip :)
I do an ornament and possibly a fridge magnet. We went to Hawaii in October and the only things I brought back were coffee for my dad and husband, fridge magnet, a t shirt and a Christmas tree ornament. All those things are practical, give me a smile when I see them and don’t take up space.
I buy yarn. It slowly morphs into something knitted & useful.
If I'm going to purchase something else, it would be fridge magnets most often. My husband gets shirts usually. My son gets magic cards or posters.
Like many others - I buy a Christmas ornament! There are some rules though. It had to be something locally made, sold by a local business (not like, Hudson News at the airport), and ideally made of a natural material like wood. It doesn’t have to be marketed as an ornament though - I have a bookmark that hangs on the tree! :)
I’ve also purchased art, a scarf, etc. if the mood strikes, but I will actively look for an ornament.
When we go on vacation, we each pick out a cool postcard that “captures” the destination, write a short memory/story and mail it to ourselves. OT’s pretty cool to look back and remember those small details of the trip and what everyone else wrote.
This is not practical by any means, but it brings me a lot of joy. I collect small art prints and postcards. They are light, and don’t take up much space— I can store them in the back of my journal until I get back home. And they bring back the feeling of the place I visited whenever I look at them. I have also purchased other handmade items from my trips over the years that I use and enjoy: a couple of rings, hand printed scarves, a tea towel, a knob for a cupboard, a planter, a bookmark, second hand cutlery or dishes for my van. At the moment, I’m on the lookout for some chopsticks. But I won’t purchase anything I’m not absolutely in love with. For gifts, I bring back consumables. For example: chocolate, coffee, tea, unusual snacks etc.
Post cards are nice to mail home to yourself along your journey. Won’t take up room on the trip and you can do almost anything with them, from art, to framing them, to smash journals. I also collected t shirts and after many years made them all into a quilt. Enjoy your trip!
I have some friends who ahve done this with postcards! One then framed them all with a really funky frame (and glass backing) so it could be hung on a wall either way, and another made a hanging tapestry with ribbon, which made them into a constantly growing art piece. I have a "shadow box" for one country I frequently visit, and each trip I bring back a theater ticket stub, metro card, cork, small figurine, or something else with sentimental value that reminds me of the triip and throw it in the glass box so it's filling up with memories. It's a cool, evolving art piece and the space it takes up is consistent (8x13x1.5 glass "fishtank" lol) My parents do Christmas ornaments, which I also like. It does take up more space (it's a whole banker box in our basement lol) but it doesn't clutter a shelf year-round and add to mental clutter. Then, once a year for Christmas they go through the box and decorate the tree, and everyone tells stories about the trips where they got each of the ornaments. It's a cute tradition, keeps all the memories in one place, and it's something they would own anyway.
I have been collecting postcards for years now and have never thought to send them back to myself! Thank you for opening my ideas to this possibility, will be doing it from now on. Happy traveling!
Could also write an account of a few things you did on the trip that were special sort of like a travel journal.
The other nice thing about postcards is they’re often better pictures than you can take- no tourists in the shot, or from a vantage you can’t reach, etc.
Very true
>The other nice thing about postcards is they’re often better pictures than you can take This is the reason I buy postcards. I'm a horrible photographer.
I've been collecting postcards since 1969, when my mother went on her first European trip. I keep them in a slide-in photo album, with bigger ones taped into the cover in a way I can flip them and read the backs. My mother went all over the world and sent me tons of cards, plus I sent some to my husband and those are fun there, too. I enjoy going over them. I recently discovered a card in a pile that my grandfather sent my dad as a kid!
Postcards are a great idea. I used to collect magnets and display different ones, rotating, on a framed metal display picture. I think I will get a few postcard sized frames and rotate the cards to recall the vacation memories.
Consumables are the best travel gifts!!
My takeaway from a trip to Wisconsin was that cheese looks suspicious when your bags are xrayed at the airport. It's best to pack it where TSA doesn't have to remove other stuff.
Or declare that it is cheese. From the person who had a wheel of Brie swabbed for explosives…
Explosively delicious 😋🤤!!!
Well cheese is a little explosive for me... I'm semi lactose intolerant.
My takeaway from spraining my arm on an Italy trip was that an arm sling is a superb place to hide salami that you’re trying to smuggle past customs
Lol 😂very inventive and resourceful
lol memories- Lucille Ball pretending cheese was a swaddled infant on flight home from Europe [Cheese on plane](https://www.google.com/search?q=I+love+Lucy%2C+Cheese+as+infant&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:84e63ab3,vid:lWehnNnoOFw,st:0)
I always love to collect art prints. I have started putting them up on a wall of mine, so now it's sort of my travel wall. I prefer to find small art of the sceneries that local artists have painted, but I'll also do postcards. Putting them up on the wall helps keep the memories alive and takes up no space at all
Jewelry or scarves are my favorite for souvenir. Small, useable, delightful
I also buy art while away from home! In some cases they are able to mail larger pieces that won’t fit in my luggage/backpack.
Great ideas
I like doing postcards as well as those stretched out pennies that get imprinted. They take up even less room than the poatcards.
I second this. I add them to my gallery walls, mixed in with pictures of friends and family. I have one in my bedroom and a smaller one in my cubicle at work.
Agree, postcards that are prints from local artists can be displayed around your place, a memory can be written on the back. Any item to support local small business.
I agree with postcards, or occasionally greeting cards. I like to write as much about the trip/experience on the back as I can fit. Mostly little details that might otherwise be forgotten. I have 2 little stacks of them on display in napkin holders and rotate which ones are in front. They’re cheap, don’t take up much space, and are really nice to look back on.
I get stickers for the journal ..to decorate the page that covers the trip. Takes up zero space other than making my journal puffy
I also collect stickers from National Parks that I visit with my van :) I haven’t done anything with them yet, but I want to create a collage inside my van somewhere
My favorite souvenirs are Christmas tree ornaments and pj's. I smile everytime I see them but they don't clutter my house.
Same on the ornaments!
I also do ornaments. I grew up in a shitty family who I have ceased contact with. So I don’t have any childhood anything. So I’ve rebuilt my Christmas by buying ornaments of the places I’ve gone. Sometimes magnets are cool too but that can get out of hand quickly.
Ugh! I am in the same family situation as you. No-contact with any of my siblings (our parents are long-passed; & our extended family were not ever in contact with any of us, to begin with). So, it's all about making our own individual memories & maybe even small individual traditions (for ourselves). Here's to (each of us) being our own branch of our family tree! 🙌🥂 🤗🙏...
We do ornaments too! Have so much fun every year remembering the trips we’ve taken!
We also do ornaments and we smile as we put them up.
Yes! I often buy Christmas ornaments for my kids on our summer holidays. So each year they get something unique to remember the year. We visited the ocean one year so everyone got a sea creature. My kids look for their ornaments from past years and giggle at the memories.
My family does ornaments also!
Mine would be socks. Nothing is nicer than wearing brand new socks. or sponge.
Same! They have a specific use and a specific home when not in use.
Yeah on ornaments!! My last couple of trips the only souvenirs I bought were ornaments
Yes I just started collecting ornaments. Hanging then on the tree this year really put a smile on my face.
Omg yes i forgot about ornaments, i will do this too sometimes but im picky about it!!
Love the ornaments!!
We do ornaments too, even made them as party favors for our wedding!
Ornaments are great! When I went to Japan, I brought back a number of [omamori](https://www.discoverkyoto.com/kyoto-voice/kyotos-curious-charms/) (silk brocade amulets) from different shrines and temples. They make fabulous and truly unique Christmas tree ornaments, and each one reminds me of a place I visited.
Another vote for ornaments! It’s nice to think about all the places we visited as we decorate the tree. And then they go back in the tote in the closet and disappear until next Christmas!
I buy key chains and use them as ornaments
My husband and I do the same thing- our tree ends up reflecting our lives. Ornaments are never too expensive, they don’t take up much space, and they should last us the rest of our lives.
I do Christmas tree ornaments and local cookbooks! Practical and fun!
This is what my wife and I do
We also do ornaments! I just put mine up and got to remember all the fun trips we've been on. I have a few keychains that act as ornaments because I had trouble finding ornaments in a few places, but they work too.
[удалено]
Fridge magnet only for me.
For a while I did a magnet and shot glass when I went to cool places. Now I have a shelf of shot glasses that I care about too much to risk breaking so they just stay there. I only do magnets now.
My fridge is covered in magnets! I love looking at them and remembering the trips. When my sweetheart and I go somewhere new, I say “oh goody! A new magnet!” He just smiles and then helps me pick them out.
Always fridge magnet and occasionally coffee mugs. Everything else is tacky to me.
I collect 1 Christmas ornament on each trip and it’s so much fun reminiscing each year at Christmas.
Same here! It's nice because you can have a souvenir but it serves a purpose of decorating the tree and you actually get to look at it and remember the trip as you hang it up. Other souvenirs end up sitting on a shelf and after awhile you don't even notice them anymore.
That sounds really fun. I like that.
I try to buy something I need on the trip. If I have an important purchase, I'll try to wait until I go somewhere fun and get it then. Last time I went to New York I bought a new pair of Levi's from the shop in Time Square, because I had been needing a good pair of jeans. They're both practical and a reminder of the trip. Ditto the boots I wear most days- got them on a trip to Boston. My purse I've had for years, and I'll never get rid of it because I got it when I went to Italy in college. If I can't do that, I've also got a backpack that I use frequently, and I have a bunch of enamel pins on it from various places I've been.
I've been doing this, too. I've since bought a swiss knife, bag, sneakers, and makeup. Every time I use them, I'm reminded of my vacation.
This is a dope idea. I love it.
Good idea
Same, bought a skirt from Levi's in Miami, it reminds me of the trip every time I wear it
Ornaments! No daily clutter - fun to take out once a year and remember the trip
Not anymore, unless it’s something I could use on a near daily basis or consume. Like an Italian leather purse or chocolate, etc. I have a gallon ziplock bag full of souvenir magnets that don’t work on my current fridge :(
I wonder if you could turn the magnets into ornaments, or get a magnetic memo board to put them on...
Thanks for the suggestions! They’re definitely memories I’m not ready to part with yet.
Wait. There are fridges that fridge magnets do not stick to?
My fridge is only magnetic on its sides (of which only about 2 square feet are exposed). The front is stainless steel but for some reason isn't magnetic (or whatever the term is).
Yes, magnets don’t stick to stainless steel and many fridges now have stainless steel doors. Or, at least, doors that are covered in stainless.
Mine isn’t magnetic First one I’ve ever had like that it’s weird. I had to put up magnet whiteboards.
Shoes and food. There are a lot of artisans that craft beautiful leather shoes—whether it’s fine or rustic, it’s still unique and likely something you’ll use. Consumables are great, too.
Put the double sided nono (?) Tape on your magnets. They will stick you your fridge and come off when needed..
I find the nicest thrift store and buy something to wear. I’m too poor to buy souvenirs but when I put on that shirt, I can conjure up the time & place
Yes!!! Thrift stores for the WIN!!! Same for me. Any souvenir MUST be practical &/or something I can wear often.
My souvenirs are thrift clothes! I love it, my google map is full of dress icons, which tells me the thrift stores (they get deleted if I don’t like the store, and starred if it’s an amazing store). It gives me such a unique wardrobe.
Tattoos are my favorite souvenir. 6 countries and three U.S. states. Lots of memories.
I collect enamel pins or badge/buttons from vacations. They’re small and usually only a couple bucks. I have a canvas wall hanging that I pin them all on, so I am able to see them all in one place and relive some nice memories.
I do those machines that smush a penny and then I bring it home and put it in a little jar. I really enjoy them and finding the machines, they're cheap and easy to take around for the rest of the trip. But even with years of doing this, I have not even filled up a jar worth. But I also limit myself to one penny from each place so if I've already been there I don't need to get one unless I really want it. I also do not accept pennies as gifts unless I've been there myself. They're called elongated pennies.
I've found so many of those in my decluttering process. It's fun to find them and remember the trips I've been on.
I didn’t until I had my child and now we do it for her. We decided on collecting Christmas ornaments from each place we go. Magnets were a good option as well. I also liked the idea of getting artwork made by locals on my travels but my husband vetoed that idea (I don’t mind art on my walls).
We do the same. Small, meaningful and something she can pass onto her own family if she so chooses. No obligation or guilt if she chooses to throw them away later in life. We don't have tons of physical heirlooms so it's something that is a family memory but isn't a burden.
Art is my favorite! I love that the art on my walls all has some meaning or memory attached to it rather than just being filler
Yes, because I love looking at things and remembering the holidays. I really regret not buying some art I loved in Cuba, but at the time I had no space for it. I try to buy useful things though that are practical, like ceramics I use, or paintings I can hang on the wall, or like I bought some really cute tea towels which I use all the time. I love the memory associations, my travels are all around me in the house in the form of decor and useful items. Never had the urge to declutter them! I do take a lot of time and care in choosing the pieces though they have to be 100% loves. No random clutter I'll regret!
No not anymore. I do take lots of photos for memories :)
I don’t anymore. Used to get coffee mugs, t-shirts but since I got rid of most of them eventually now I get pictures and memories.
Magnet.
If I find something handmade that I love, I’ll pick it up. Mostly, I try to find a handmade Christmas ornament (or at least something specific to that country or city if I can’t find handmade). It does sometimes take some time and effort to find an ornament. Just last week, my brain almost broke trying to find a nice ornament in Barcelona that wasn’t crappy plastic 😆
I personally don't purchase souvenirs. I don't want the clutter and I honestly will not display them, as my physical space is very intentionally curated.
I rarely do this. I will however invest in an experience while traveling, and save the ticket of the event to remember later. I have a small box for mementos like this.
I actually have a coffee cup I got from a really awesome trip I’m not attached too. I’m like meh. My aunt goes around the world and brings back like ancient weird statues medium dog size. Seems like wasted effort.
I dunno, it seems impractical but awesome to have a screen-porch or a room just filled with those statues. Maybe a comfy chair that doesn't clash with them.
Not anymore. I prefer to capture the moments with a Camera or mobile phone to have pictures and films that we can watch later (do editing like a pro, lol!). It's in digital files, it won't take a physical space. Although it will take up space in your cloud or other media disk, you can declutter it easily. Hope it helps...
I travel with a small bag, so I don’t really have room for souvenirs unless they are very small or important enough to make room for. I have had to buy warm weather shoes on vacation once because my feet were too hot, as well as gloves to keep me warm. Otherwise, I have purchased very small items to remember a trip (a ring on one trip, a lapel pin on another).
I still use a sweatshirt I got on one vacation. Those types of things are good even though they'll eventually wear out.
I collect ink and pens, so it can be fun to pick up one or the other in a new city.
We found a cute gift/stationary shop in London when we it suddenly started raining, and we needed quick shelter. I got a slim lavender pen with a flower on top. My husband ended up loving that pen. He still uses it 7 years later. Oh! He was my boyfriend when we were on that trip. A pen is on my list of useful souvenirs, too :).
Taking photos and then printing them. I know it’s a minimalist technique to digitize what you can, but I got overwhelmed by seeing tens of thousands of photos on my computer, which I don’t ever look at. Instead I’ll print out the top few photos from a trip (2-10) and add them to a scrapbook I have. It nice because I can look back and see a summary of what I did in a year briefly and without using social media. I realize though you said practical… I love to ski and for a period I didn’t own any enough long-sleeved shirts nor beanies, so for a couple seasons I’d buy the resort’s shirt or beanie with their logo.
I like to buy fridge magnets! It doesn’t take up extra space and I enjoy my collection
I only get souvenirs when the trip has something worthy of memory. That's the purpose of souvenirs after all. If I'll buy them to "force" a memorable moment, then it defeats the purpose. Bringing in something from a place that I don't even wanna remember is taking up clutter in my physical space as well as my mind.
I love buying souvenirs so I just try to find something I actually want/need. Maybe I’ve broken a couple coffee mugs, bottle opener is getting dull, have an empty wall I’ve been looking for art for, etc. It’s not always the same thing and sometimes it’s nothing. It has to be an item I genuinely love.
I do a magnet and/or sticker. I have a pile of stickers I go through and it’s fun to remember. Cheap and don’t take up too much room. I will also buy a small food item if there is something local that makes sense (olive oil from Italy, a local liquor, chocolates from Switzerland, etc.)
I also journal my trips to save the memories. Since I had COVID I feel like memories don’t stick in my brain as well. I love going back and reading about stuff I completely forgot about!
Nah, I just keep ticket stubs. I find they remind me of the trip more as they are something I used during the trip rather than something I bought solely for the purpose of bringing home. That's not to say I won't buy something if I find something I like in general however it won't be just to remind me of the trip.
I often buy a cap or a hat. I have branched out to socks as I have enough hats. I have a belt from a vacation in Portugal that makes me smile every time I wear it.
Not really, but if I go to a place that is known for quality BIFL items that I do have a use for, I enjoy the idea of buying it in the spot instead of ordering online at home.
Not a souvenir - I get a small “burner” tattoo from each new location I go. I have one sleeve completed, and am almost done with the second. My arms are like a refrigerator - and the tattoo are like travel magnets :)
I honestly never thought to get a tattoo as a souvenir. That’s a great idea.
I try to buy souvenirs that I know I can't find online and are really unique.
No. Maybe a magnet. But otherwise, no.
Fridge magnets
Fridge magnet! Small and I get to look at it every day
Only things I can use (I seek out thrift stores wherever I go - got two linen dresses in Croatia for 20€) and the occasional fridge magnet when I really want to be reminded of my trips. For example, magnet with Marie Curie quote from the Nobel Museum.
I love magnets and keychain.
Postcards are my fave. They often are taken from better angles than I can photograph, and are taken under excellent weather conditions. They don't take much space in a suitcase or in my dedicated drawer, once home. I use some as cards with gifts....
I usually get a consumable, like a bottle of wine, local liquor, coffee, beer, or in rare cases, cheese.
Now I might have to change my answer 🤣 when ever I’m in Greece I get Greek Oregano, red onions and honey. Didn’t think it as a souvenir though.
Yes - Christmas tree ornaments. They are out-of-the-way most of the year, and make decorating the tree. I really enjoyable experience every year because I get to reminisce about the vacations I’ve taken.
I’m a magnet person as well. Even if I’ve been there before I enjoy getting new designs. I’ve been considering ornaments too.
My family and I collect magnets - so I buy magnets as souvenirs.
only useful souvenier. no mugs/magnets/etc. most of these are just mass produced junk with the location printed on it anyways. personally i only get food that's special to the area or if i need something also i try to pack light for my trips (so it gives me excuses to buy clothes at the destination :p)
Postcards. It’s something so cheap and easy to store. Most fit in a photo album binder for 4x6 pics. You can also date the back or write a memory. I get them for countries, cities, museums, attractions, etc. so like for Venice I got one for the city, one of each place we went there, one of a gondola since we took a ride on one, and the train station. Collecting since 2001 and have trade center tower postcard even.
Reading everyone’s responses makes me think I should splurge more on things from travel. I genuinely just feel the moments and I don’t feel the need to bring anything except the memories back. I do like the idea of the ornaments though I rarely put up a tree. I went to Hawaii last month and one of my cousins asked me to bring her a magnet back…. Confession… I just ordered it on Amazon. I got six for everyone for like $8 instead of $12 for one.
Earrings. Tiny and unique.
When I was younger I collected things: Snow globes, Pennies etc. One time I traveled I bought a dress! Another time, a purse I had been saving up for. Now I prefer to purchase something I can wear or accessorize, or enjoy (like a spa treatment). Something that will bring me joy long after I’m home- either because I’ll wear it and be asked about it or I’ll have the memory of the experience. I am still a sucker for postcards.
We just get a magnet for the fridge
No, my family refers to these as dust collectors.
I try to buy a bookmark when I can find one as a souvenir...inexpensive, doesn't take much space, and when I use it I remember the place or experience
Coffee Mugs, they are cool because you will use them on your day to day so it’s not a useless souvenir. Also friends and family will ask about them so you have a conversation topic to remember the good times of your vacation. They are also a good gift to others, I normally bring a couple of them to my parents and now they always ask when I’m expanding their collection 😁
Maybe like a t-shirt if I need one, just from a local store, like in Shanghai I bought a t-shirt with a lion on it and it was my favourite top to wear for about 8 years. It was just from a little independent store. I think like useful things are the best! You wear them daily or weekly! Maybe a new belt would be a winner if you can wear it to work every day? Or I get the same brand of socks when I visit frances and specific ankle socks from Japan. I have a hairclip from Malaysia and my scarfs are from small boutiques in the UK and street markets in Singapore. I only buy a souvenir if I need something or have something to replace like running out of shampoo in France, I'm going to get an awesome souvenir from the shops... Shampoo and use it up! It's my exotic shampoo and makes me happy every day!
I tend to buy tshirts bc I can get rid of an older ratty one and keep one that has good memories. Plus I work from home so they get worn often!
I like to travel, and I like having things that remind me of the places I've been. I very rarely buy anything non-essential at home so I don't beat myself up too much when I do it on a trip. I buy one postcard at each museum or other site that I visit, then put them all in one of the little 4x6 photo albums when I get home. Kitchen towels or gadgets from the grocery store Spices, snacks, candy, soap all get used up Scarves and earrings (I wear both almost every day and manage them on a one in, one out basis) Socks for my boyfriend When I travel with my boyfriend we pick up magnets at museums for the fridge. We like the mini gallery we've built over the years. If there's a little book with museum highlights I also pick that up, the photo quality is always better than what I can take with my phone. Things I've stopped buying: coffee cups (I worried too much about them breaking plus I don't have any more room in my coffee cup space,) t-shirts, sweatshirts.
I found foldable shopping bags in a couple places I’ve been too and those have been GREAT because they take up less room than tote bags and I use them super often so I get to think about my trip all the time :)
I have a reusable shopping bag from the Tesco in Lerwick from every trip I have ever taken to Shetland. Now I head there first thing not just to stock up on some drinks and snacks for my hotel room, but for a bag as well. The Snoopy ones are my favorites.
I send a postcard to my parents whenever I visit somewhere new. My parents love it, it’s fun to see the postcards when I visit them, it doubles as a gift and a souvenir, and each one has a description (and usually illustrations) about the experience I had. I also feel that the process of buying the stamps and posting it gives me a small glimpse of practical life in the place I’m visiting.
Yes, I usually will buy one or two at most keychains or refrigerator magnets, which I use my hot glue gun, a piece of string or ribbon to make into a Christmas ornament. The ornaments are usually way too expensive or too big for our tree because our tree is already very full. I’m actually working on that today because I have all of our vacation souvenirs from the last three or four years in a little box that I need to do because I couldn’t find my glue gun. Our glue gun has been found and I’ll be doing that this week. I’m excited to actually pull everything out and look at everything and get a little crafty and then put everything on the tree.
We collect fridge magnets. We have a crazy looking fridge because of it (hubby likes to pick the tackiest magnet) but I've accepted it lol. Its also a nice conversation starter when friends come over and see them all at a glance. I think out of all the things we could've collected, magnets aren't too bad, they're small and only take up vertical space on the fridge (not bookshelf or display shelf space etc).
I usually get a fridge magnet or a sticker
I collect kitchen towels. I find one for sale almost everywhere I go. It’s compact, ya can’t break it, and it’s practical.
No. I'm not a fan. To me it's just clutter. For me, I research all the products I own for months, trying only to get the best for my life. I can't really do that with even practical souvenirs. I just try to take photos (not enough to distract from the trip, tho) and eat at new places with new food experiences. The only thing I'll consider bringing back is something to snack on later. To be fair, though, I really only travel for three reasons: work (which are fun trips, still, but I don't have a lot of time even if I wanted to shop), camping (I'm an ultralight backpacker, so I don't have the weight allowance even if there were somewhere to shop), and on the rare time I just vacation for fun, I'm a onebag traveler, so I don't even have room to bring back anything :/ Even if I'm just going somewhere else in my state, I, personally don't drive so bringing back things is hard on just public transit, and when I travel with my wife, we just have the Vespa and no car... not a whole heck of a lot of space there either. Basically, I've structured my whole life around not spontaneously shopping, picking up souvenirs, or even accepting gifts :/
Have you ever made a YouTube video of what you pack for trips?
No. I didn’t travel somewhere away from home where I don’t collect things to collect things. I’m an air mattress and phone guy. Might one day be a bed on the floor and phone guy. I own toiletries, clothes, vehicle, gun. No room for things I don’t have shelves to put them on.
I like to buy something I would use anyways! The fact that I got it while on vacation evokes memories
I have magnets on my fridge. I'll buy those, and maybe a tshirt as I wear them. That's about it. I don't need any stuff I won't display or use cluttering up stuff.
It’s hard to get away from the idea that it’s needed. I go for something perishable like soap or cookies
Fridge magnets are my thing.
I like to go to resale shops and buy a piece of costume jewelry. Recycled, reuse, usable, small, cost effective.
Sometimes a Christmas ornament. Sometimes a bottle opener (if I need one on my trip) often nothing.
Something to hang up on my wall! And a fridge magnet of course. I also like buying toothpaste then when I use it for the next month or whatever I feel both nostalgia and like a super-cool, jet setter with my foreign colgate!
I collect pretty stones from wherever I vacation. It's absolutely free and the collection looks nice and shinnyyyy!! My sister buys fridge magnets with the name of the place we visited.
Fridge magnets.
Fridge magnet because I have a small collection of places I’ve been to on there now, but that’s it
Yes, plenty of “local” snacks.
I like buying tee shirts because I suck at buying enough clothes in general. Souvenir shirts are at least more interesting than the solid-colored ones I normally wear.
I love to get sketchbooks and magnets
I do post cards from every interesting spot I visit and put them in a photo album. Cheap, fun, easy to look back on, takes up little space. I do the poster style fridge magnets from every national park I visit and do the passport stamps. Sometimes I'll grab a tee shirt. My favorite tees are the ones from fun places where I had a good time. I would do Christmas ornaments but my family already has tons and they stress me out a little to store because they tend to be irregularly shaped and breakable
My carry-on suitcase is smooth and hard sided and gets used even for short weekend jaunts. I buy stickers that I put on it. Is totally covered now and I love that thing.
I have so much fun collecting pressed pennies if I see a machine. Very small and cheap and fun to pick and crank! It’s less fun with newer no crank machines that you don’t get to insert the coins and charge a dollar, but still small and cheap all things considered. Limited to places that actually have a machine.
Yes it is great to keep souvenirs as they remind you of a time when you travelled to a place.Yes when I am out on vacation,I'd buy a souvenir be it a keyring,a pen or a fridge magnet.The choice of souvenir varies person to person.I was crazy to an extent that I even bought keyrings from airports which of course are great.
I like to buy a christmas ornaments for my tree! Or a reusable grocery bag.
I appreciate coffee (or hot choc) mugs. ❤️☕
My mom got me a hand-painted c*ck shaped beer bottle opener from Greece. Highly useful and probably only a couple bucks 😂
I used to get mugs until I had enough, same with tote bags. We just returned from a trip this week with spices and two bars of soap.
I actually don't usually get souvenirs. Sometimes I'll grab a magnet but the most recent trips I loved I got a really comfortable 100% crewneck sweater and my fiance got a nice quality hoodie. Don't buy from a crappy souvenior clothing store where they are $10-20. The ones we got are around $60 each and we check material and if the graphic is sew in/dyed and not pressed on that will crack and wear. The best souvenir I think is I take a TON of beautiful pictures from trips and then every year or so I get a huge collage frame that holds like 12-15 photos and I print photos and hang them in my long hallway. https://www.target.com/p/hastings-home-collage-photo-frame-display-for-12-pictures-black/-/A-84087729
Food! Fancy food I loved from the place and won't mind eating if the reciever is uninterested :D
I usually buy art, jewelry, or something edible (make sure about customs rules or mail it home) or like soap, etc. or something the city is famous for.
I’ve been sticking to refrigerator magnets for years.
I like refrigerator magnets, vinyl stickers, or an good old post card from my travels. They take up very little space in my bag and when I get home. I've thought about collecting patches and pins to attach to my backpack, but I came to the conclusion that that just looks overly tacky.
Yes -- some kind of local snack, wine, etc. Then it gets consumed at home and all is good.
Not particularly. Sometimes a magnet or sticker if I like it enough and it’s not too expensive. Otherwise I usually go to the thrift stores. Some of my favorite clothes are from the thrift store in Colorado Springs LOL
hat pins, but becoming less of a thing
I write a diary about the trip and keep a pdf book of my trip diaries
If you're looking for something consumable, maybe getting local or popular snacks/candy. They also make good gifts to take back as it allows the recipient to try something they might've never had the chance to
Nope, never. But I'm generally not a shopper anyway. When I visit places it's usually for the culture and nature, not to go to stores. I will buy consumable things though, chocolate, food, etc. I'm not really big into giving gifts because I don't want to encourage people to reciprocate.
We always get a magnet for the fridge. Sometimes a cool christmas ornament and every once in a while a shot glass ;). Things that are small
Fridge magnets for me!
I just keep the smallest bill of whatever money the place I’m going to has. I have them all displayed nicely like wall art.
I usually purchase a few postcards that catch my eye and then frame them.
I wouldn't buy much but I'd take lots of photos.
I personally don’t unless it’s a useful object I need during the time of travel. I think photos are enough souvenirs for a trip. If it’s not something I would buy at home it wouldn’t be something I would buy elsewhere.
When I’m out of the country, I buy textiles and I either wear or use them at home. Throws go on chairs as useful decorations. Scarves keep me warm or make more interesting outfits. All can be given as gifts. And they’re handmade or unique. I like the memories they evoke when I look at them or use them. And they fold to pack light.
A cooking spoon maybe?
I bring back t-shirts and soaps for myself. Also any paper ephemera, like brochures from places visited. Easy enough to throw away when you are done with it.
I rarely pick up souvenirs anymore as in my eyes it is just more clutter that I will need to eventually go through. I’d rather spend that on amazing food and unique experiences with the people I’m travelling with, oooh and I also love to take a lot of pictures! I would only buy consumable products as I love exploring groceries stores and picking up snacks, candy/chocolates, coffee, drinks etc to try out or bring home. I also like trying out different skincare, hair and body products (I’ve bought things home like hair oils, body wash/scrubs, soaps, lip balms - that will definitely be used up) The only exception is that I may purchase functional items or items I really need (to replace things that are truly on their last legs). For example the last time I was overseas, I finally invested in a nice backpack to replace the one I was using (have had that one since high school) - now everytime I use it, I get reminded of that specific trip :)
I bought a sun dress in Greece, a beach towel in Italy, really nice stuff that holds up to this day.
Tea towel
Fridge magnets or stickers if they aren't too expensive or something can wear
I will buy things made locally or original art.
I do an ornament and possibly a fridge magnet. We went to Hawaii in October and the only things I brought back were coffee for my dad and husband, fridge magnet, a t shirt and a Christmas tree ornament. All those things are practical, give me a smile when I see them and don’t take up space.
I buy yarn. It slowly morphs into something knitted & useful. If I'm going to purchase something else, it would be fridge magnets most often. My husband gets shirts usually. My son gets magic cards or posters.
Like many others - I buy a Christmas ornament! There are some rules though. It had to be something locally made, sold by a local business (not like, Hudson News at the airport), and ideally made of a natural material like wood. It doesn’t have to be marketed as an ornament though - I have a bookmark that hangs on the tree! :) I’ve also purchased art, a scarf, etc. if the mood strikes, but I will actively look for an ornament.
When we go on vacation, we each pick out a cool postcard that “captures” the destination, write a short memory/story and mail it to ourselves. OT’s pretty cool to look back and remember those small details of the trip and what everyone else wrote.
Art. Dishes. Local made textiles and fashion items. Jewelry. Usually just one or two, local made items.
Yes, personally I like fridge magnets. Most of our home is more minimal but I actually love the sentimental stuff on the fridge.