Whenever you travel somewhere, it’s nice to be able to take a piece of it home with you. Having a physical item that you can go back and look at will spark memories of your trip and help you to remember it longer. A great thing you can do while traveling is to get the same type of souvenir. This way you can build up a collection from all your different travels and display it somewhere in your home. Whether you’re passing your children off to the babysitter or taking them on an adventure with you, souvenirs make any journey more memorable. Below are some suggestions for great souvenir collections you can start on your next trip.
Pictures
One of the most common types of souvenirs is simply to take pictures while you’re there. Invest in a decent camera, along with some additional equipment like a spare battery and memory card, and you’re good to go. While traveling, try taking a similar photo in every location. For example, you could strike the same pose, or have your family positioned in the same way. This will help to tie your collection together across the different pictures while also showing changes over time. When you get back, it’s easy to add your new pictures to a collage or scrapbook so you have them all in one place.
Shot Glasses
Another common souvenir is shot glasses. What’s great about shot glasses is that they are small – so you don’t have to worry about finding room for them in your suitcase – and they are available practically everywhere. Most tourist destinations have some kind of shot glass you can get with the locations name on it, even if it’s just at the airport before your return flight. If you’re worried about your shot glass collection looking a little cliché, consider changing it up a bit by putting something inside each glass – such as some stones or a flower.
Clothing
If you want your collection to be a little more practical, think about getting a piece of clothing wherever you go. Clothing makes a great souvenir because you’ll be reminded of your trip every time you wear it. This is even better if you can find something that’s specific to that location. For example, you might get a cloth poncho from Peru or a big sombrero from Mexico. If you want to keep things simple, you can’t go wrong with a t-shirt from each place you visit.
Maps
Next, a simple collection to get started with is maps. Grabbing a printed map wherever you go is typically inexpensive and it’s easy to bring home. When you get back you can add your maps to a display case that reminds you of all the different countries and cities you’ve visited. When shopping for maps, try to keep them small. For example, opt for a small one-page map of the country you’re in rather than a fold-out map that takes up ten pages and covers all the different roads. This will be easier to display among other maps.
Part of the Earth
Finally, some people like to bring home a piece of the Earth when they travel. You can do this in a number of ways. For example, some people like to bring home a small bottle of sand from whatever beach the visit. Another option is collecting some shells, pebbles, or sand if your traveling to a beach. Or you could pick a flower that’s indigenous to that area and press it for safekeeping. There’s plenty of options – it’s just a matter of choosing something that’s available in a lot of places and that will help spark your memory.
As an added bonus, you can combine this with another souvenir collection. Take those shot glasses you’re collecting and fill them with sand or pebbles from the same place. This will make your shot glass collection look a little nicer, while also letting you bring home a physical piece of that location.
Get Started with Your Collection
So, whenever your next trip is, get started on a new souvenir collection. Building up a collection takes time, but it’s worth it in the end. If you already have some things from previous trips, you could even give your collection a jumpstart now.
The key is to think of what how much you’re willing to spend, and what types of things you like to focus on while you’re there. If you love shopping while you travel, go with clothing. If you love the beach, bring home some sand. Your collection is all about you, so go with whatever makes you happy.
But what do you do once you’ve started collecting all these items from all corners of the globe? Consider creating a souvenir display, or even a souvenir room. According to Teaberry Painters, “creating a custom space in your home for mementos and special pieces helps infuse personality and warmth into a room.” Be sure to paint your walls to reflect your display, and use custom shelving and crafty souvenir arrangement to really make it stand out.
