Did you know, that the word souvenir is French, and it means ‘to remember’?
We all bring souvenirs home, and these are the items that provide most of the tourism dollars to many of this world’s locals who rely on our need to bring something home. Souvenirs now come in all different forms, shapes, ideas and sizes, starting from a postcard or a fridge magnet, to a painting, a statue or a piece of furniture (the thriving courier business in Bali is proof for this). They can cost a lot, or very little to nothing, but one thing stay in common – souvenirs are a piece of our journeys and we all want them.
(And the fact that they are increasingly made in China, but that’s for another post I think)
I am a bit of a cheap skate and I try to get my souvenirs cheap (or free). Thankfully I don’t generally like the conventional souvenir shops that sells the same things all over the world. I simply just don’t think another fridge magnet, or a snow globe is the best memory of my journey if I could get them easily on eBay. (I do buy them to give as presents however – I mean, sometimes a bus ticket can only mean so much to the person who used it)
Among my souvenir collection are a stash of postcards, as well as restaurant take away menus; the Gluehwein mug that I paid a 2Euro deposit for at the German Christmas markets; the local university student magazine; lots and lots of train/bus/metro tickets and a police record of my residence in Germany.
The best souvenir I’ve heard about is a ‘Release from Custody’ record that this person got when he was ‘accidentally’ involved in a pub fight in Greece. It was proven that he had nothing to do with it in the end and to date, he still has this police release note proudly displayed in his study.
A lot of people also use their souvenir shopping to complete their own personal collection of something else. Laura George’s guest post on Worldette.com talks about exactly that.
Read more on Worldette: How to start a a creative travel collection
Dreaming of rabbits tale in England’s Lakes District
Peggy Tee
I have a stash of Met Museum entry badges from NYC – which I will frame one day, promise! – a traditional woollen lopi (top) from Iceland, a Georg Jensen candelabra from Copenhagen, a Venetian glass charm bracelet picked up from a vintage market near the Rialto, a second edition of Pepys Diaries from a old shop in London and traditional woven fabric from Borneo. Those are probably my most treasured souvenirs.
Amy McPherson
A Georg Jensen candelabra! Fancy!
Framing those entry badges and make it a souvenir art work – what a brilliant idea!
Peggy Tee
It was 70% off! I couldn’t resist! :D
Brian
I too have a Gluwein mug :-)
As for souvenirs: an alpaca blanket from Ecuador, a Turkish coffee pot from Istanbul that I actually use, and a piece of a ruined mosque laying in the dust from Afghanistan.
Amy McPherson
That’s some epic souvenirs Brian!
Peggy Tee
Agree with Amy – a piece of ruined mosque?! Props for most unique souvenir right there, I think!
Mary
I like to bring home something artistic. A small (or sometimes not so small) painting, a sculpture, pottery, or a woodcarving. I brought home a Moroccan tea set that is one of my favorite souvineers. My husband collects shot glasses and if I see a unique magnet I bring it home, but I think the refrigerator is looking too cluttered with them now. I still bring them for a cousin who collects them. I also like postcards tht have shots I couldn’t get, and ticket stubs. And I have several Gluewein mugs. :)
Amy McPherson
Hi Mary!
The Moroccan tea set sounds lovely. :)
Glad to find another Gluewein mug enthusiast!
Amy