What traveler doesn’t love to bring a little piece of their vacation home to remember a destination by? The problem is, we often fall prey to those souvenir faux-pas that eventually end up in the trash or the back of a closet (tacky t-shirts, coffee mugs, keychains… you know you’ve got ‘em).
Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes you’ll find a diamond in the rough. But I’d argue that most people box themselves in and only stick to those unoriginal items when it comes to finding something to bring home.
So if you’re looking to branch out, here are some great alternatives to finding the perfect souvenir on your next adventure.
JEWELRY
Jewelry is one of the more widespread alternatives when it comes to non-conventional souvenirs, and for good reason. It’s something that’s popular among practically every culture across the globe, and can be worn everyday. I love to look for statement pieces that pop and grab attention (like my turquoise drop stone earrings I snagged in Cinque Terre). They’re intricate and unique, which has lead to some great gateway conversation for telling some of my favorite travel stories.
KITCHEN ITEMS
One of my favorite pieces of travel advice I’ve ever received was to look for items for the kitchen. It’s unrealistic to think every souvenir you purchase will sit on display to always be seen. But kitchen items are something you’ll likely see on a regular basis, even if they live in a drawer.
Not much of a cook? Don’t worry, I’m not exactly Julia Childs myself (by that, I mean my fridge currently contains sparkling water, champagne and a variety of cheese… and nothing else). Look for the kind of items you’ll actually use. For me, that meant things like tapas plates and cheese boards. I’ve acquired tapas bowls from Belize + Capri, a cutting board from Barcelona (pictured above), olive oil from Rome, a cheese board from Greece, spices from a market in Nice… the list goes on. So now when you throw together a cheese plate, you can relive an experience instead of staring at some meaningless dish from T.J. Maxx.
TEXTILES
I understand the intention behind buying a t-shirt of a destination you visit. You want to tell your story. Except if you’re wearing a t-shirt that screams PARIS loudly across the front, you’ve let the t-shirt steal your tale right out from under you. Instead, search for other forms of textiles you can wear. While in Paris, I stumbled upon a quaint boutique in the heart of Saint Germain where white haired French women were hunched over sewing machines making some of the most lovely scarves I’ve ever seen (so I bought 4 of them). And now? When someone compliments my scarf, I get to tell the story of my experience instead of my clothes telling it for me.
LOCAL SPECIALTIES
Scarves are a Parisian staple that beautifully represented my experience in France. But every destination boasts a different specialty. I opted for a tartan blanket in Scotland, a teapot in London, a leather wallet in Italy, and a hand-painted fan in Barcelona (pictured above). Do your research on the front end to ensure you know what you’re looking for. But take note, because chances are you won’t find these items (at least not the best options) in the conventionally labeled “shopping districts” (which are almost always large chains you’d find in every city). Scope out the local markets, where you’re guaranteed to find a variety of artisan goods to choose from.
BOOKS
The Old Town Bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France
Whether you’re a literary nerd or the farthest from being a bookworm, books are a fantastic souvenir to remember your travels by. You can find coffee table books to decorate your home with that are brimming with beautiful photography (some of my favorites are from adored museums and destinations of mine like Musee d’Orsay or nature scenes of Jackson Hole). While these are beautiful options, consider yourself warned that they’re heavy and can make that 50 pound weight limit for your suitcase a difficult limit to stay under. You can also find some wonderful bookshops that are chalk full of history and character. Snag a classic like The Great Gatsby that can live on your shelf with a memory to boot.
WINE + SPIRITS
Again, disclaimer that this recco will come at the expense of a heavy suitcase, but one of my favorite things to add to when I travel is my wine collection. Of course, this is more ideal when you’re in or near a region that specializes in wine, but nonetheless it’s fun to do for a variety of reasons. I always buy 2 bottles of each kind: one to drink while I’m travelling, and one to bring home. So now, I have a cork to save and remember the time I drank champagne on the lawn of the Eiffel Tower and another bottle of the same kind to bring home with me. Seeing all the bottles on my wine rack at home reminds me of each unique experience, and allows me to relive each one every time I open one up.
Regardless of what you decide to bring home with you, use common sense. Do you drink most of your coffee at the office or an environment where you don’t use your own mug? Then a coffee mug may not be the right souvenir for even the greatest caffeine addict. The goal is to find useful products you can weave into your everyday life--just with some fantastic stories hidden within them.
