I have long had problems making decisions when it comes to souvenirs. What makes a good souvenir? How much should I spend? Is it too commonplace? If I could, I would buy every souvenir. You think I’m exaggerating, buuuut I’m not. (Never look at my receipts from any palace, thank you very much.) I have come up with a few questions to help figure out if it’s actually worth it.
1. Will I use this again? I have several Starbucks mugs and tumblrs from all of the places I have visited- why? Because I can use them! I take tea to work every day, and I make tea every day at home. I am getting use out of my souvenirs!
2. How much does it cost?
With few exceptions, I try to keep all souvenirs under $15 Canadian. I’m already taking pictures, I probably have some sort of ticket-type deal (which I keep), so there isn’t a huge need to spend a ton of money on a souvenir.
3. Does it actually represent where I went? Buying a plain mug from Buckingham Palace is kind of pointless, I could buy that at IKEA. I like something to actually show that it is from somewhere!
What do I like to buy?
1. Tote bags- I use these every day. I use them to take things to work, go grocery shopping, just generally cart stuff around. They are typically under $10 CAD and are pretty easy to find. The Historic Royal Palace bags are particularly nice, and typically only £2.
2. Keychains- I have many keys to carry, and they need keychains! They are a good price (aside from keychains from West End musicals. Those are a doozy.), and don’t take up a lot of weight/space in your suitcase!
3. The aforementioned Starbucks mugs- the city series is fantastic, and they are fairly easy to find!
My goal is to find some slightly different souvenirs (but I will undoubtedly still get some totes and keychains) on this next trip.
What souvenirs do you collect? What is your favourite souvenir?
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!
The Starbucks mugs are my favourite! Magnets are also a fantastic souvenir as well. Or at least something small, inexpensive, and shows where it’s from. One of the best souvenirs I’ve gotten is a “Hogwarts ticket” that I got at the shop at Platform 9 3/4. 🙂
I love my ticket to Hogwarts 🙂 Also, I need to start getting magnets to join my Dosney city magnets!! 🙂
I used to go crazy buying souvenirs, but had trouble figuring out how to display many of them. In recent years I have cut it back to magnets and Christmas ornaments–and the occasional unique/signature item (small model double-decker bus from London, music box from Paris…). I display the magnets on a decorative metal board in my study and, of course, hang the ornaments on my Christmas tree every year. It is a great way to remember my travels at a glance, and everything is small and compact. I will admit that I haven’t completely scaled back and have been known to pick up a painting or drawing of the place I am visiting as well.