Aside from photos, what makes for great souvenirs? Some pick up postcards, others buy keychains and ref magnets, still others purchase souvenir trinkets.
My niece picks up souvenir pins everywhere she goes and pins them all on her hat. It is quite heavy now , and not recommended for wearing. But it does look nice with all those pins from all over the world.
Reply to this We have a friend who buys a traditional looking book in the local language from each country she goes to. A great idea I think. She may not understand the book at all, but it is an interesting keepsake.
Reply to this When I used to smoke, I would pick up ashtrays all over the place. The souvenir kind of ashtrays. All but one are missing now. 😊)
Reply to this Since I have that squirrel-gene in me I have found many fun things suitable as souvenirs.
I usually spend a lot of money on books and CDs so it is only natural to extend it to the place I happen to be going through, though it is easy to get carried away and carrying a heavy load of books or CDs can be a pain. Last December I lugged around a bag of fragile Japanese 1960s LP:s on trains and planes for a week which was a bit tiring. I also try to grab samples of crisp bills and shiny coins in local currencies, though the problem usually comes down to spend or keep, especially at the larger denominations. I currently hold on to a hk$ 500 note issued by Bank of China because it has a lovely picture of a container terminal
and another hk$ 500 bill issued by HSBC which depicts Chek Lap Kok airport... :P
At the end of last year however, I became a Hello Kitty-nerd. The evil Sanrio corporation has come up with a great souvenir concept: pricey little Kitty-cell phone charms sold only in certain geographic locations at outrageous prices (and manufactured cheaply in China as one aggravated poster mentioned above). I expect to work these Kitties into my blog somehow, just sort of waiting for the right angle to appear... 😉
My girlfriend used to collect samples of sand from various beaches she had visited.
Reply to this From 1990 to 1997 I was a traveling nurse and worked in hospitals all around America that were short staffed. I started collecting refrigerator magnets to remind me of those experiences and travels. I have continued to collect them around the world. They are inexpensive and easy to carry. I have so many that they cover the beverage refrigerator in the garage and most ofthe one in the kitchen.
I have collected earrings, scarfs from Peru and the occasional piece of artwork from around the world. We generally frame our photographs but like mixing them in with the local art. Nothing expensive.....at least not until I get them home and have them framed and matted.
Little triggers to stimulate the memory and experience are what's needed------no matter what you bring home it will be special for you.
Reply to this I have 31tattoos by 26artists in 14countries and they all mean something to that country.
Reply to this Wow, Paul, that is truly a very unique collection of souvenirs! 26 and counting, I'm sure.
Reply to this I have 31tattoos by 26artists in 14countries and they all mean something to that country.
This is what I'm planning to do with my right sleeve I think... kinda of like a scrap book of my travels that I can carry with me everywhere...
Reply to this You guys are unbelievable. I can't even stand the sight of needles. On second thought, I maybe just too old for that. So go ahead and get your souvenirs. Cheers.
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