How To Choose the BEST Souvenirs When Traveling

So.... what are some good souvenirs to pick up on your travels?


Here are some tips to avoid choosing bad souvenirs that take up space & aren't useful. Just say "NO" to t-shirts and tchotchke Below, find some ideas on what souvenirs to consider that you'll love! No buyers remorse.

Jewelry & Accessories
I love jewelry & accessories. They take almost no room, and they're an awesome conversation starter. You can wear them any time and carry a little piece of your trip with you! 

Necklace: Chelsea Market, NYC
Bracelet: Little stand in Stockholm, Sweden
Ring & Earrings: Ixtapa, Mexico

Scarf: Camden Market, London

Something You Can Use
I'm fully addicted to coffee.... and coffee cups. I actually have to pace myself on this because I've already got a cabinet full of cups... 
But these are one of my favorite kind of souvenirs. Rather than a predictable I <3 NY mug, I chose one from the Brooklyn Flea. Instead of a "Starbucks Nashville" I have a few from my favorite coffee shops. This is an easy souvenir to reflect your personal experience with the city without going the tourist route. 

Bongo Room, Chicago, IL
Frothy Monkey, Nashville, TN
Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn, NY
West End Cafe, Nashville, TN

Home Decor can work - as long as you have a place for it! I acquired this beautiful little dish in Morocco and it's made its way from my nightstand, to my desk, to my vanity, and back again. It's gorgeous and authentic - and I love it! Best of all it's functional. I keep bobby pins, rings, Chapstick  and other "littles" in there to avoid losing. Other good home goods could be a throw blanket, print, antique bud vase.... but make sure it's something you love very much or very functional. You don't want your keep sakes to end up being garage sale trash.

I've had it for 7 years and still use it consistently!

A 1900's map reprint on fabric we picked up in Seattle & framed for the reading nook!

Free is Fun

I love free just as much as the next girl, but a lot of the free souvenirs you'll find are likely junk. However, something I've grown to love collecting is books/boxes of matches. As smoking becomes more faux pas (yay!) the matches become harder to find (boooo). A lot of places still have them around, you just have to ask. Chat with hostess, bartender, or a front desk associate as hotels, bars and restaurants are your best bet. I have dozens of boxes - it's my favorite souvenir to search for! I also have some sweet friends who bring me matches from their travels, which is super fun.

Local Treasure
These can be something that area is known for. For example, my friends who visited Thailand both came back with these beautiful silk house robes. What a fun souvie! My goal in Italy is to find a beautiful leather purse, as the leather goods are incredible there. 

Think about your personal preference and what you love -- how can you find a souvenir that works for you & that you'll cherish forever?

What are your favorite souvenirs you've collected over the years?
xo

Souvenirs to AVOID When Traveling

We've all bought crappy t-shirts on vacation. BUT, since all of those t-shirts never end up being worn and find themselves at Goodwill three years later, let's talk about some souvenirs you might actually enjoy. We all want the best souvenirs to bring back when we travel.

I absolutely love having a memento of a place I've visited. I'd much rather it be something wonderful that I love & use! I've had my share of bad and good souvie's, and I've finally figured out what works for me.

Remember: a good souvineer doesn't have to be branded with it's origin. Think classics, quality & if you love it!

Some things to consider when you're choosing souvenirs to avoid junk you'll never use.

1 - Is it actually special?
Visiting "local markets" or "genuine shops" in tourist traps - think cruise port markets, the Union Jack covered shops in the middle of London, etc - are all mass produced. Even items that have a name printed or carved in are likely just produced for many areas with different names. If you've ever been on a cruise, you've seen the same little wood carvings at ever stop. Think about if this is unique or special to that area, otherwise pass on it.

Look familiar?

2 - Can you easily transport this home?
My friend Sharyn diligently carried a beautifully crafted large ceramic bowl home for her mom on our trip to Morocco. We ended up having to walk over 3 miles to get to the airport.... and she carried that bowl the entire way back to London. Not to mention she'd still have to get it back to the USA. The more portable, the better (both for your suitcase and your home - less is more!) If you're going to choose large or fragile items, consider having them shipped.

3 - Where will this item go/will you actually use it?
What I'm really asking is - is this actually a Tchotchke. My friend Lydia makes fun of me for using this term... but it's true! Anything that is going to get stuck in the back of a drawer or closet or shoved on your already full shelves is not the thing for you. Choose items that you can actually use later, rather than admire once a month and eventually try to get rid of at a yard sale. If you don't know what tchotchke is, here you go.

Souvenirs shouldn't be junk that piles up in our homes and suitcases... it should be carefully chosen items that represent the trip you had and the new place you've visited. 

Do you have any souvenir regrets? Any favorites?
xo

PS - How to choose the best souvenirs on your next trip