According to a 2018 survey by YouGov, nearly two-thirds of Americans bring home souvenirs from their travels. While grabbing the first trinket that catches your eye at the airport gift shop is tempting, many travelers opt for something more thoughtful that captures the essence of their vacation. For instance, I once brought home a small cactus from Arizona (I checked airline guidelines first!), a quirky yet memorable reminder of my adventure. Souvenirs are a great way to embrace different cultures, support local artisans, and invest in your own memories. As a travel writer and frequent traveler, here are a few of my tips to help you choose meaningful keepsakes you’ll cherish for years to come.
Make Shopping a Cultural Experience
Instead of resorting to last-minute souvenir items like airport keychains, set aside some time in your itinerary for shopping. Make exploring local boutiques, artisan markets, and flea markets part of your vacation experience. Search for places that offer authentic, one-of-a-kind treasures — when in doubt, ask a local for recommendations on where to shop.
Avoiding tourist trap markets allows you to interact with vendors and learn about the history or craftsmanship behind your purchases. You’ll gain a better understanding of the culture than you would at a commercial retailer, and you’re helping the local economy by shopping at a small business. Whether it’s a handwoven scarf, a locally sourced soap, or handmade pottery, these souvenirs often carry a much richer story than anything you’d find in a chain store.
Curate a Collection
Another fun way to enhance your souvenir hunt is to start a collection. This can take the stress out of the search, since you already know what you’re looking for. Consider starting a collection of something small but meaningful, like postcards, magnets, ornaments, mugs, or coasters. Some travelers opt for artwork from local artists, such as paintings, sketches, or photographs.
Though they don’t typically fall into the above category of one-of-a-kind treasures, I enjoy collecting magnets from all the cities I’ve visited, as they’re a relatively easy-to-find keepsake. From a Dublin shamrock to a Dubai skyline, these souvenirs transport me back to those places anytime I look at them. Whether you’re admiring your wall art, putting ornaments on your Christmas tree, or picking a mug for your morning coffee, a collection offers a tangible way to relive those fond travel memories.
Focus on Functionality
While ornaments and magnets make lovely souvenirs, you might prefer something more functional to use in your everyday life. Edible souvenirs — such as locally produced coffee, tea, jams, chocolates, or unique alcoholic drinks — are great options. Some favorite foodie finds from my travels have included Greek olive oil, Scottish shortbread, and Vermont maple syrup.
Wearable souvenirs — like scarves, sweaters, hats, and perfumes — are among my favorite keepsakes, too. Whenever I put on the sweater I purchased during a birthday trip to London, I recall all the happy memories from my adventure. If you’re short on luggage space, consider jewelry. One way to make this option more affordable is to curate your own travel charm bracelet, adding a new charm for each place you visit.
Try Do-It-Yourself Souvenirs
To really immerse yourself in the local culture, consider partaking in a hands-on traditional experience. There are plenty of amazing traditions around the world that also give you a take-home keepsake at the end — a DIY souvenir, if you will.
Some unique experiences include a gold panning adventure in Alaska, a bean-to-bar chocolate-making class in Peru, or learning the Japanese art of kintsugi, an ancient pottery technique. Not only are you learning something new, but you’re also receiving a unique, personalized memento — and a fun story to tell.
Save Your “Junk”
Sometimes, the best souvenirs are free. A growing trend among travelers is junk journaling. This unique type of scrapbook utilizes relics from everyday life that would ultimately end up in the landfill. This could include anything from restaurant receipts to subway tickets, maps, brochures, hotel cards, or disposable menus.
Once you’re home, use the “junk” along with pictures from your trip to create a unique keepsake journal as a visual record of your travels. You might be surprised at how many extra memories you recall by preserving the small, often overlooked items from a trip.
Consider Packing Space
As tempting as it may be to collect keepsakes from every stop on your journey, remember that packing space is limited. Avoid bulging bags and excess airline fees by being mindful of your purchases. Focus on quality over quantity — what you’ll truly cherish and use over time, whether it’s a drawing of your favorite city or a jar of locally sourced honey.
If you pick up something delicate or bulky, such as a bottle of local wine or a handmade vase, ask the store if they offer shipping services. Many specialty shops are happy to help mail your purchase to avoid packing mishaps. This way, these tangible memories arrive safely home for you or your loved ones to enjoy.
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