I see the question asked regularly in various travel forums, "What are the best souvenirs to buy and bring home when you travel?" Although the answer depends heavily on where you going, what interests you, and what your budget is, the following article will help you get some ideas regardless of where you're going or how much you want to spend on your travel souvenirs. Read on to see a list of our favorite souvenirs to buy while traveling.The Most Popular Souvenirs to BuyTypes of Common Souvenirs to BUy:The most popular items people tend to buy while traveling are: 1. Shot glasses: These are small and easy to transport, though you do need to make sure you pack them well so they don't break. 2. Coffee mugs: Though slightly larger than shot glasses, these are both fun and usable. Again, make sure you pack them well so ensure they reach home safely. 3. Christmas ornaments for the Christmas tree: This is another small and useful gift for those who celebrate Christmas. The only drawback is that you'll see them for only a short period of time throughout the year. 4. Snow globes: This is another winter-related item that you may set out for only a short time during the year, although there certainly is nothing wrong with keeping snow globes out all year. These take up a bit more space but do make nice display items. 5. Key chains: Key chains are small and super-easy to transport. They make nice collectibles, if you can find a unique way to display them. Otherwise, most people need only one key chain at a time. 6. Post cards: These are popular for sending to family and friends back home, particularly when you are on a longer trip. They are also inexpensive and make great gifts. 7. Magnets: This is probably the most popular souvenir for people to bring home for themselves or give as a gift to a family member. Magnets are one of our favorite things to bring home, and the sides of our refrigerator are covered in magnets that show our travel journeys. Where to Find These Souvenirs:Most souvenir shops will stock the majority of these items. You may also be able to find a nice vendor market where vendors sell manufactured items like this. The Most Meaningful SOuvenirs to Buyinteresting SOUVENIRS TO BUY:These types of souvenirs can include items that are indicative of the local culture, items that support local artists, and items that are mementos from specific main attractions you visited. Here are some examples. 1. Texas: To commemorate your trip to Texas, you could purchase a cowboy hat or cowboy boots from your trip to Dallas, something Nasa- or space-related in Houston, or branded items from Whataburger or Bucc-ee's throughout Texas. 2. Japan: You might purchase high quality beauty products, a tailored kimono, or a pretty parasol during your visit to Japan. 3. China: When you visit China, you may wish to bring back a nice set of chopsticks, some Dragon Well tea, a fan, or some calligraphy artwork on scrolls. 4. Paris: If you go to Paris and don't return home with a miniature Eiffel Tower, were you really there? (Just kidding. We went to Paris and did not buy a miniature Eiffel Tower to bring home, but if I had a kid who was Paris-obsessed, I definitely would.) You may also wish to bring home a piece of artwork depicting the Louvre or Notre Dame Cathedral. A nice silk scarf or pretty hat would also be a great souvenir to add to your Paris collection. 5. Scotland: Because Scotland is known for Highland Cows ("coos"), along with sheep and their wool, you could invest in a nice piece of wool clothing, a Tartan purse, or a stuffed coo for your small child. When I took Emmett to Scotland, I also found my car-obsessed kid a diecast double-decker Scottish tour bus, which he loved! Scotch lovers should certainly bring back some fantastic Scotch whisky. 6. Ireland: Irish whiskey fans can bring their favorite beverage home. A nice piece of artwork of the Cliffs of Moher would be the perfect addition to your home decor. And a stuffed sheep would be great for a young child. Visitors to the Titanic Experience can shop at the gift shop for a nice Titanic souvenir. 7. New York City: Nothing says, "I love New York" like an "I {heart} NY" t-shirt. Bring home a die-cast Statue of Liberty miniature or a nice piece of artwork of Times Square. 8. New Orleans: Known for its symbol of the fleur-de-lis and for Mardi Gras, visitors can pick up souvenir fleur-de-lis magnets or ornaments or Mardi Gras beads. 9. Germany: Because Germany is such a huge beer country, a nice beer stein would be the perfect souvenir or a great gift. 10. Mexico: Tequila, vanilla, ponchos, and blankets all make great souvenirs and gifts for your friends and family back home - without breaking the bank! 11. FOOD ITEMS: I've already mentioned Dragon Well green tea, Scotch, and Irish whiskey. You may also bring home Belgian chocolates, New Orleans pralines or Cafe du Monde coffee, macarons from Paris, chocolate covered macadamia nuts from Hawaii, or Stroopwafels from the Netherlands. Often when traveling in other countries, you'll find tasty candies and cookies from local brands or you'll see international brands you love that have additional varieties you that can't find in your home country. 12. ART: Though some art pieces can get quite pricey, it's possible to find artistic pieces from local artists that are reasonably-priced, and they make excellent souvenirs. I mentioned art scrolls in China. You can also visit the outdoor market around Jackson Square where many vendors sell their own created artwork. We picked up some fantastic budget-friendly paintings on slate during one of our trips to NOLA. Buying art directly from the artists is a great way to support the locals of a place you're visiting. And art doesn't have to be paintings. A beautifully-woven basket, a lovely clay pot, or a hand-carved wooden sculpture can be the perfect centerpiece for your dining table or mantle. In Panama, we purchased the most amazing hand-carved, hand-painted figurines made from tagua nut. These are such unique pieces, and we are still completely in love with them! 13. OTHER LOCAL ITEMS: In many places, vendors sell handmade jewelry and hand-knitted articles of clothing. You may find homemade snack items or musicians selling CDs of their music. Speaking of music, you might also find a traditional instrument, like a ukulele from Hawaii, a lute from France, a banjo from Kentucky, or, if you have the budget and some room to spare, a steel drum from Trinidad or bagpipes from Scotland. Just keeping your eyes open and being willing to speak with the local vendors hawking their wares will sometimes lead you to the most unique souvenirs. 14. POSTCARDS: I included these in the above list, because they are popular, but they can also be incredibly meaningful when used in this way. Especially if you are on a longer trip, buy a set of stamps from the local post office and write a note to yourself on a post card every day or every other day, and post it to your home address. Tell yourself about what you did, who you met, or a funny or exciting thing that happened. When you get home, you'll have lovely pictures of the places you've seen, along with a reminder of anything special that happened. WHERE TO FIND THESE SOUVENIRS:Check local vendor fairs and artisan markets, art galleries that focus on local artists, gift shops at the places you visit, and even souvenir shops. The Least Expensive Souvenirs to BUyTypes of Budget-Friendly SOUVENIRS TO BUY:If you are looking for an inexpensive souvenir, here's a great list: 1. Small items: From the list of popular souvenirs, a few of them tend to be fairly inexpensive, like keychains, post cards, and magnets. Shot glasses, commemorative spoons, and the like are slightly more expensive, but still budget-friendly. 2. Pre-loved (AKA "used") items: We love finding used books, particularly children's books, from the places we travel. If they are written by a local author or are set in the place we are visited, that's even better. Used die-cast toys and vintage and antique households and decor make authentic souvenirs. 3. T-shirts: Marvin and I rarely wear t-shirts, but our toddler does. So we love to find him some cute t-shirts from local shops, as they make cool souvenirs that are also useful. We save them, and they will eventually be recycled into something commemorative for him when he turns 18. 4. Cash and coins: We bring our leftover local currency home and pop it into a decorative box. By the time Emmett turns 18, we hope to have it full. Though most of the currency has very little value, I hope that this keepsake will have great sentimental value. 5. Travel journal: In many places, journals can be found at local stores to relatively inexpensive. I stocked up on paper supplies like this during our last visit to China. Not only does a travel journal make a cheap souvenir, but it's also one of the more useful souvenirs you can take home, as you can use it along your journey and keep it for the memories. WHERE TO FIND THESE SOUVENIRS:The best places to find these souvenirs are local flea markets, charity shops, and local clothing stores. For great prices on keychains and magnets, check the larger department stores rather than shopping at the souvenir shops in tourist areas. Souvenir shopping is not just about acquiring tangible mementos; it's a means of capturing the essence of a place or an experience. These cherished keepsakes serve as lasting reminders of the adventures we embark upon and the cultures we encounter. I hope this has given you some unique souvenir ideas. I always suggest supporting local when you can and buying things that are unique, but in the end, you should spend your money on the things that will best help you connect with those treasured memories of your adventures - whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or as a family. You may also enjoy:
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