Creative Souvenir Ideas

Beer mats.

Which country? Different ideas for different countries.

Bookmarks?

How about Christmas tree ornaments? I've collected onaments from various countries, and it's not hard to find them. But it doesn't even have to be something originally intended as an ornament. It can be anything small and typical of the country, as long as I'm able to tie a bit of ribbon or string to it to hang it on the tree. Hand carved wooden items, handmade lace, small pottery jugs, glass, etc, all hang on my "international" tree.

I'm headed to Stockholm, Rome, Paris, and Prague.

I'm a big fan of food-related souvenirs, although you'll want to check with a customs website to find out what you're allowed to bring back. More interesting than touristy souvenirs are the kinds of stuff you'd find in a local grocery that you couldn't at home. I've gotten small bottles of pastis in Provence, for example. I'm sure that all the places you're going will have some interesting, non-perishable, and legal food/liquor items you could bring back. And the price will be right!

Rachelle, We often bring back nice coffee mugs from some countries/places. Having a cup of coffee brings back good memories of our time there.

How about hand painted placemats or tableclothe or blank cards with local scenes. The cards and placemats are great when put in a frame. Very easy to carry in the bottom of your suitcase or cabin baggage And, if I may add, try not to shop in the tourist souvenir stores. Try the 'regular' stores where locals shop. You will be sure to have something special and made in the country you have visited.

I'm with Monte and the Beer Mats. I collected these when I was a student and I still have them and use them. And, I picked up a new Heinekin one during the World Cup a couple of years ago. They did special one.

Pins,, i prefer flag/crest pins. Seems like most every city has a different pin. Various states and regions also have their own pins.

My wife says fridge magnets.

We're going to Spain in April so that's on my mind right now. I'm thinking of buying small containers of Safron in the spice section at a local supermarket to send to our foodie friends and relatives. It's light enough to add to my carry-on, hopefully not too expensive, and a local flavor. Add the Spanish label and I think it makes a unique souvenir.

Rachelle: Beer mats, book marks and Christmas ornaments are always good ideas. You may want to consider some linen or lace. I like to buy my souvenirs at local flea markets. I do not know where you are traveling, but I think you may find the more interesting things there and avoid the tourist trash that we usually bring home. On my last trip to Germany I wanted to bring home a beer stein. I was disappointed in the quality of the ones available at the tourist shops. I found a great one at a Berlin flea market that now sits on our dining room side board. I also reasonably purchased some china cups for my nieces. They went over great at Christmas. In any event, a trip to a flea market can be fun. You will find them in most larger cities, usually on the weekends. Do a Google search for the markets in the town to where you are traveling. In think they should be easy to find. So, consider a trip to a flea market. I think you will be able to finds something unusual and inexpensive to bring home. Have a good trip.

Sew-on patches. I have a very cool backpack that now has patches sewn on it from 15+ countries & cities. It never fails to get positive comments and start conversations. I also have a quite extensive beer mat collection that is a lot of fun. I have a friend who collects those little snow globes. One looks stupid... but a collection of 50 of them in his office is impressive.

Paris: Tower Eiffel metal Key ring is cool Prague: small marionettes or a jewelry from Charles Bridge Stockholm: mini Viking hat
Rome: Byzantine icon or a gift from the Vatican A small poster/ painting (without frame) makes a great and original souvenir too.

This question has come up several times here and my answer is always the same: in Rome, buy some Popeners. My favorite trinkets in all of Europe, I buy a handful every time I go to Rome as they make the perfect gifts and are cheap (about 4 euros each). Just Google "popeners" and you'll find plenty of info on them.

Food-related items are always great, so long as they aren't "fresh" items like meat or cheese (they have to be sealed in a specific way to bring into the US). Regular grocery stores are the best and cheapest places to find these things. In Italy, I found tubes of tomato paste (wish I had bought a case, it was amazing). In Spain, tins of smoked paprika (2 euro a tin, compared to $15 here) and small bottles of olive oil. Cookies and candies with funny names or unusual wrappings are also fun. And, my two cents worth, try not to spend a lot of time looking for things to bring back for other people. I did this on my first trip to Europe and fretted a lot about pleasing others. In hindsight, I should have spent that time enjoying myself. Keep an eye out, but unless you're a super shopper, make it an accessory activity to your trip.

I agree with Rik...the Popeners I brought home from Rome were a big hit. It is a Pope bottle opener. I also like to get bookmarks and calendars.

One of my friends would bring back pencils for her work friends, also candy. T-shirts if you want to spend the money, at least for the kids. Sometimes you can get inexpensive jewelry at street markets, or CDs. Be careful with liquids/ snow globes unless you pack in non-carry on luggage.

Just be sure to put snow globes in cargo because you will lose them to TSA if you try to take them in carry-on. Calendars, bookmarks, candies, jewelry, pictures, tapestries are some of the souvenirs we brought home this year.
As mentioned previously, try not to spend too much time worrying about what to bring others or you'll make your trip stressful!

Browse the gift shops at museums. Avoid the expensive items unless you are wanting a gift for a special friend or family member. Look at inexpensive items like 8" X 11" paperback pamphlets (12 to 24 pages) that cover a subject such as the Roman Forum or the Vatican and have tons of beautiful photos. Usually $5 to $12. Mouse pads with landmarks on them; inexpensive and lightweight. Look at the museum's replica jewelery; some is expensive but some is not. A very simple pair of earrings can be $12. You are supporting the museum with your purchase, and that's a worth cause. Or wait until you get home; choose your very best trip photos, take them to Kinko's or an online service such as Shutterfly, and have several calendars made for the upcoming year. One photo for each month, or each month could be a collage of photos. Give these out. Your friends will have lovely photos of your trip to enjoy for a long time. Nothing to carry home and weigh down your suitcase, either, in case that is important to you.

I had so many friends tell me to just bring a piece of Europe back with me that I came up with this We rented a car and drove through Tuscany. I plucked a tiny wildflower from the roadside, or a couple olive tree leaves, or grape vine leaves, etc., and tucked them in a card (v. postcard) and sent from Europe they had the card, the stamp, and the postmark, and a tiny treasure tucked inside. All (female of course) were thrilled. Rachel
Miramar Beach, FL

That's sounds like a great idea, Rachel from Destin. Illegal though. You are not allowed, unless the law has very recently changed, to import into the USA any plant material that has not been certified by USDA. They are concerned about plant diseases and parasites, etc. Sounds great though.

Along the same line as Rachel; I tend to shun "stuff", particularly when almost all of it is made in China - that takes the shine off most trinkets for me. First, I love the photos I take. That's my number 1 Souvenir. After that, if I find some natural object that interests me, I grab that. Sometimes it's an interesting rock. One particularly memorable one was a 2" square granite cobblestone from Prague (no, I didn't pry it up - it was lying off to the side in an alley and it caught my eye).

Rachelle I do a little research to see what typical local crafts are available in the city or area I am traveling in. Perhaps Google the area or city you are going to and put crafts. For instance, Provence has fabulous distinctive Provencal fabric made into tablecloths (for you!), napkins, runners, kitchen towels, etc. The small items are usually well priced. Much less expensive are the natural soaps available in France and Italy. Leather in Florence in all its variations, jackets (for you!), wallets, women's gloves, etc. France is known for its wonderful flavored mustards. Besides checking in the shops, you can often find crafts in the markets at less price. Just be sure the quality is good. Many European city department stores have fabulous food shops. And that special flavored salt so popular now, yummy chocolate bars, etc. Don't forget museums which often have wonderful small gifts with great quality and lower cost. Most guidebooks have a section on shopping with traditional local crafts and where to buy them. Also you can ask your hotel staff. But ask not for the tourist stores but where locals buy. As always, keep in mind your friends & families home colors and taste. I like to purchase items that are useful or special to my friends and family. IMHO, no one is going to use an Eiffel Tower key chain. Unless it is your kids, I don't think anyone expects you to bring them back anything. I save my gifts to use for upcoming birthdays or Christmas. That way I can justify spending a little more and get something nice. I like to spend only an hour or so shopping. But it is fun to use your reseach to try a new neighborhood for shops. Good luck with your shopping! Bobbie

Rachelle,
I love all of the ideas already posted...especially the Christmas ornaments; this is a tradition my husband and I have started whenever we travel. One idea for Stockholm: if you are going to Skansen (the outdoor cultural park...which I'm not sure if it's open based on the seasons, but it is fabulous!) the Skansen glass is really unique and my friend and I found you can only buy it at the park. :) Happy travels.