A Guide to Choosing Meaningful Travel Mementos
Trust us—it's time to stop buying tacky keychains and fridge magnets on your trips. They usually end up forgotten anyway, and they're a dime a dozen. But what makes a gift truly special instead of just another generic trinket? If you need a guide to picking out a meaningful memento, read on. Here are 10 boring souvenirs to skip—and 10 unique ones to buy instead.
1. Shot Glasses
Unless the person you're buying these for likes to collect shot glasses from around the world, you're better off axing this from your list. Shot glasses are shot glasses no matter where you get them, and just because they display a regional emblem or a local expression doesn't make them any more unique.
2. Fridge Magnets
Fridge magnets also make boring souvenirs. Let's face it—most of us have plenty of these collected from our travels, but most of them have either gone missing or aren't even needed. Unless it's handmade or an extremely rare find, skip it.
3. Bumper Stickers
If the bumper sticker has a local saying etched onto it or a generic "I Love City" phrase, we're not sure if buying these makes great souvenirs for other people or yourself. If you're up for a bland, boring memento to remember your travels by, then by all means, go for it. Otherwise, these car decals aren't worth the money.
4. Customized License Plates
Sure, you can hang these license plates somewhere and show them off, but sooner or later, they'll probably just end up collecting dust. It's not like you can use these on your vehicle, so other than being pretty to look at, they're practically useless.
5. Keychains
Just like with the fridge magnets, it's time to stop buying keychains as souvenirs. They might be cute and unique in the moment, but they'll probably end up in the corner of a drawer somewhere. After all, there are only so many keychains you can put on your keys before your collection gets too heavy.
6. Tourist T-Shirts
Trust us—the graphic tees with the touristy sayings on them are not worth your money. You're much better off buying clothes that suit your style and are made in that specific country, than buying these gimmicky t-shirts you might only ever wear once.
7. Snow Globes
When it comes to snow globes, apply the same rule as you would with shot glasses and fridge magnets: unless they're somehow truly one-of-a-kind and you're buying them for someone who likes to religiously collect these, skip them. They'll only end up taking space in your luggage. Plus, their fragility makes them a nightmare to pack.
8. Generic Postcards
Postcards are pretty, but there's nothing about them that makes them truly stand out other than being a picturesque stock card. Unless you're writing back home to family, friends, or a pen pal, leave these on the shelves where you found them.
9. Miniature Landmarks
Miniature landmarks might make adorable little gifts, but like most generic souvenirs, they're mass-produced and probably won't last very long. Like keychains, they'll likely end up in a drawer somewhere or on a shelf collecting dust.
10. Cheap Jewelry
That pretty silver necklace that's only $2? Give it a couple of days or weeks, and it'll no longer be sparkly. There's a reason why these pieces of jewelry are sold for little more than a buck, so don't bother wasting your money on them.
But what, then, makes a souvenir worth it? Let's flip the switch and jump into 10 unique gifts to bring home from your travels instead.
1. Handmade Crafts
If the city or place you're visiting often hosts artisan markets with local craftsmen selling handmade trinkets and ceramics, these make wonderful, one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Be sure to tour through a few and examine the pieces for sale before picking out ones you think are really rare gems.
2. Specialty Foods or Regional Ingredients
Visiting somewhere where food is a deep part of the culture? Whether it's paprika from Hungary or turmeric from India, these regional spices make great souvenirs for foodies or those who love cooking. One thing to keep in mind is that you'll want to make sure these ingredients are locally sourced and authentic. Don't fall for tourist traps.
3. Unique Scents & Fragrance
If you're visiting somewhere with a signature regional scent, taking this fragrance home in the form of a perfume or essential oil will also make a unique, lasting gift. Every time you catch a waft of it, you'll be transported back to your travels and all those memories will come rushing back.
4. CD or Vinyl of Local Music
CDs or vinyl records of local music don't only make great souvenirs, but they also help support these smaller artists. You can give them away to friends and family who love discovering new tunes and songs, or you can keep them for yourself and play whenever you want to relive your travels.
Victrola Record Players on Unsplash
5. Textiles
Many places around the world are also known for unique textiles and fabrics. Turkey, for one, has intricate oriental rugs that make incredible gifts for loved ones or decorative pieces for your home. As you look for these textiles in local markets, make sure your money is directly going to the artists who made them.
6. Local Art or Prints
Looking for a new painting to hang on your wall? Or maybe you have a friend who's searching for one? Support a local painter by purchasing custom prints or original artwork. You'll be proud to show them off since you can't get them anywhere else in the world.
7. Handmade Journal
As you explore more local arts and crafts markets or even small boutiques, you might come across handmade notebooks, scrapbooks, and journals. These will all make thoughtful gifts for the writer or artist in your life. And if you know someone traveling soon or maybe you want to record memories of your trip, pick out a travel journal or one that specifically suits your needs.
8. Handmade Jewelry
Instead of purchasing cheap, mass-produced jewelry, look for the handmade ones. You can rest assured you won't see anyone else wearing the same pieces as you—unless, of course, they also visited the same place, which may make for interesting conversations!
9. Leather Accessories
Sure, leather can be a little pricey, but you may be able to find stylish belts, wallets, bags, jackets, and shoes that you can't get anywhere else. This material is also extremely durable, making for high-quality, long-lasting souvenirs.
10. Local Tea or Coffee
If you're visiting a place that's well-known for its tea and coffee, why not take a bag home? These make great gifts for the caffeine lovers in your life, and you'll likely be able to purchase in bulk at a much more affordable price than in your own country.
