Finding the perfect memento from your travels isn’t always easy. On one hand, you don’t want to bring back something that will just get lost in a drawer or sit on your shelf collecting dust. On the other, it can be challenging to find something that truly encapsulates your experience without taking up too much space. Here are 11 travel souvenir ideas that travelers from an online community have found to be both memorable yet minimalist.
1. Patches
You know those patches you see on backpacks and jackets? Those are a great way to remind you of your trips for years to come without the clutter. Patches are small, light, colorful, relatively inexpensive, and can be sewn onto just about anything. “We get patches for every country we visit and sew them onto our travel dufflebags,” shares one thread participant.
2. Local Sauces
From hot sauces to local honey, collecting sauce bottles from every country you’ve visited is an easy – and minimalist – way to commemorate your travels. Not only will you be reminded of your trip when you see the bottles in your home, but if you choose to use the sauces, you’ll be whisked back in time in an even more visceral fashion!
3. Christmas Ornaments
It’s about time people started decorating their Christmas trees with thoughtful ornaments instead of mass-produced decorations. “We buy a small charm or object which we hang on the Christmas tree,” reveals one traveler.
So we’ve got a glass eye charm from Greece, a golem from Prague, and a gold teaspoon from Turkey. Just little things that remind us of that time in our lives that we reconnect with every Christmas.” Now that sounds lovely.
4. Refrigerator Magnets
There’s a reason why refrigerator magnets are so popular for commemorating travels – they’re inexpensive, and you already have a canvas at home to display them on! Besides, what are you using your refrigerator for, anyway – to store perishable food? That’s so last year.
5. Local Yarn
I would have never thought to collect local yarn when traveling, but one woman explains the reasoning behind doing so perfectly. “As a knitter, I pick a pattern that reflects the location and try to pick up local yarn while visiting,” she confesses.
“Every time I wear my Icelandic sweater, I picture the mill and countryside where I picked up the yarn. It’s a wearable, long-lasting souvenir. If you craft, you may be able to choose something that you can incorporate into a project.” I love this woman and her creativity!
6. Interesting Rocks
I know what you’re thinking: “Interesting rocks?” But hear me out. Not only is collecting rocks free, but they will also make for a great conversation piece once they’re in your home.
Imagine the look of surprise when you proudly tell your friends and family that your rocks are not from your driveway but from a mystical land far, far away. Think of all the stories you can tell!
7. Local Art
Supporting local artists while keeping the memory of a beautiful trip alive is a can’t-lose proposition. “I like to get locally made art,” reports one woman. “Just a small print I can put in the bottom of my suitcase. Then I hang it on the wall at home and get to remember my trip whenever I look at it.”
8. Pens
Who doesn’t like collecting pens? I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with collecting pens from hotels I’ve stayed at, even if I couldn’t tell you where they all are in my house. Nevertheless, whenever I pick a pen up, I find myself smiling at the memories of a previous trip – and that’s the whole point.
9. Enamel Pins
Tiny, collectible enamel pins are arguably the most inexpensive way to commemorate a trip if you aren’t on board with the possibly-bonkers “collect rocks” tip. “They are small and inexpensive, and I get one at each attraction we go to when traveling from the gift shops,” says one woman. “They are a pretty common souvenir, and I have them all pinned to a banner at home that I got on Etsy.”
10. Cookbooks
It doesn’t get much better than preparing an authentic meal from a part of the world you’ve traveled to, and it can’t be done without a local cookbook! A local recipe book is a window into the heart and soul of your trip, and you should take advantage of the opportunity to recreate classic dishes from your trip at home.
11. Coasters
Consider collecting coasters if you’re still not on board with the rock thing I pushed earlier. No, I’m not referring to fancy coasters you’d buy in gift shops across Europe; I’m talking about cardboard coasters found in bars worldwide. They are free to take and often artfully designed, making them the ideal souvenir to commemorate any trip you’ve had!
More From Savoteur
From pristine beaches to idyllic national parks, the United States offers some of the most picturesque scenery in the world. Of course, it is impossible to pinpoint the best sightseeing spots in each state since everyone has a different perspective of beauty; we compiled a list of 50 diverse, astounding sights to check out while traversing the 50 states.
The Most Beautiful Places in All 50 United States. Have You Been?
10 Fun Theme Parks to Visit to Avoid Giving Your Money to Disney
While Disney is often considered the happiest place on earth, for some, it’s more magically disappointing. Whether Disney is “too rich for your blood” or you are simply looking to take your family on an adventure (sans Disney characters), here are a few theme parks to consider instead.
10 Fun Theme Parks to Visit to Avoid Giving Your Money to Disney
Gloriously Beautiful Churches and Cathedrals in North America
You don’t have to travel to Europe to be awe-struck by glorious cathedrals and churches. The United States, Canada, and Mexico have incredible sacred landmarks with religious significance, remarkable history, stunning art, and major architectural influence. So add these 25 sites to your travel checklist, or let them inspire your next road trip!
Gloriously Beautiful Churches and Cathedrals in North America
Which Country Is the Best for Living: Cost, Climate, and Mentality?
Every country has qualities that make it a unique and desirable place to live. These attributes include climate, the cost of living, and the mentality of its citizens. Based on these factors, an online question-and-answer board asked participants to detail their ideal living place. The responses were wide-ranging and thought-provoking.
Which Country Is the Best for Living: Cost, Climate, and Mentality?
Ready, Set, Explore! 20 USA Tours That Will Ignite Your Wanderlust
America is the perfect place to be if you want to escape life’s monotony. The landscape, culture, tourism attractions, and lifestyle differ in each state. And since there are 50 of them, you have an incredible shot at experiencing diversity on one of these USA tours.
Ready, Set, Explore! 20 USA Tours That Will Ignite Your Wanderlust
