Buy local music – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Most vacation spots sport all kinds of souvenirs at shops aimed at tourists. Many of these items were manufactured in other countries and have nothing to do with the location you came to visit. Take home a memory and support local creativity everywhere you go. Visit a club or an area with street performers and buy a CD from a musician.

Choose someone whose music you enjoy and strike up a conversation. Get the CD signed, and you’ve succeeded at supporting someone’s music and acquiring a personalized souvenir and a story to go with it.

Wait ’til the end – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

A way to save money (and free your arms) is to wait until the end of your trip to purchase souvenirs to take home.

This gives you the chance to scope out prices, which can vary greatly in touristy areas. It can also give you a better sense of what’s available, so you don’t wind up buying all junk.

If you find something unique, you should snag it, but otherwise set an afternoon aside for souvenir shopping.

Display one type, artfully – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Avoid the hodge podge of souvenir clutter by opting for one type of souvenir you can collect over the years and display with an artful flair.

Flag patches stitched onto a cozy blanket, framed local stamps, or a postcard album can turn souvenir junk into souvenir art.

When picking your collection piece, be mindful of how your life will change over the years. A shot glass collection may seem like a great idea in your 20-something travels but when you find yourself vacationing with children of your own, hunting for that perfect jigger probably isn’t on the agenda.

Buy Christmas ornaments – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Maybe you don’t need shot glasses, postcards, or (even more!) t-shirts cluttering your life. Perhaps a once-a-year reminder of your trip is enough. If so, consider buying Christmas ornaments, or other holiday decorations, on vacation.

Most vacation areas sell holiday items. You may find you appreciate your souvenirs more by unpacking them once a year and reliving your vacation memories. Plus, once you pack them away until next year, you don’t have to dust them all year!

Bonus: if you can’t easily locate a store selling holiday items, this means you’ve got to do some research and explore your destination more deeply. The reward will be tremendous.

Make a mock newspaper – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Traveling with family on a budget often doesn’t leave much money for souvenirs. As an alternative, create an edition of “Family Travel Gazette” — a mock newspaper highlighting all the adventures you had while on vacation.

Using cut-out pictures from brochures and photos taken along the way, assign articles to each family member, including editorials on the trip; weather reports; food reviews; on-the-ground interviews; and headline news. What a great way to encourage kids’ critical thinking and enhance their writing skills!

Once home, assemble all the articles and photos using a scanner and computer. Be sure to date the souvenir edition, and make copies for Grandma!

Pro tip: Alternatively, create a paperback or hardcover book of your trip, using a service like Fastpencil.