Souvenir collecting can be a delightful aspect of your travels. Regardless of cost, the souvenirs you acquire become symbols of special places visited and experiences had. For instance, shopping for souvenirs in Mexico offers unique items that you may not find elsewhere, and often at lower prices than back home.

It can be helpful to budget a specific amount for souvenirs during your travels. However, consider what items truly resonate with you, and reflect on whether they warrant a cherished place in your collection once you return home.

Before setting off, familiarizing yourself with the following list of inexpensive souvenirs can enrich your travel experience.

Paper Souvenirs

One of the perks of collecting paper souvenirs is their lightweight nature. No matter how full your suitcase becomes, there’s always room for flat items. To keep them protected, consider bringing along a plastic envelope to safeguard your delicate treasures.

• Postcards from your travels
• Paper luggage tags
• Stickers and decals
• Invitations
• Maps and tour book pages
• Itinerary pages
• Candy wrappers
• Business cards
• Handmade paper
• Ticket stubs from flights, trains, and local attractions

Souvenirs from a Hotel

Hotels often showcase their brand through logo designs, which can become fun souvenirs. While it’s not acceptable to take items like towels or bathrobes, there are several items you can conveniently bring home:

• Plastic key cards
• Folders for room keys
• Hotel stationery
• Hotel maps

Souvenirs You Make Yourself

If you enjoy DIY projects, why not harness your creativity? Whether you draw, write, or photograph, consider crafting your own souvenirs to commemorate your travels.

• Prints of your best digital photos
• Pages from your journal or sketchbook
• A hand-written version of a favorite poem

Souvenirs from a Restaurant or Bar

Restaurants also focus on branding; capturing their design can lead to unique souvenirs. If you enjoy snapping photos of food, consider creating a collage using elements like:

• Restaurant menus (with permission)
• Drink coasters or umbrellas
• Wine or champagne labels
• Promotional postcards
• Matchbooks and toothpick holders
• Noteworthy receipts

Souvenirs from Souvenir Stands

While souvenir stands can be pricier, they often provide unique items. If you encounter something that piques your interest and you won’t pass that way again, it may be worth purchasing. In some cultures, haggling is expected.

• Postcards
• Colorful stamps
• Small pins
• Flags
• Souvenir magnets

Miscellaneous Souvenirs

Your imagination can turn nearly anything into a souvenir. After returning home, you can transform your travel keepsakes into a decorative display.

• Foreign currency
• Shells
• Fabric swatches
• Magazines in foreign languages
• Ribbons and wrapping paper
• Dried flowers
• Antique postcards
• Travel books
• Snow globes
• Beach towels
• Holiday ornaments
• Locally made jewelry
• Embroidered textiles

Shopping for Better Souvenirs

Devote time during your trip to seek out souvenirs that are both beautiful and meaningful. Visiting flea markets, craft fairs, or local commercial areas can yield unique finds.

Additionally, don’t overlook airport shops; they often provide diverse selections, sometimes at better prices than local stores. Consider looking for items such as:

Shopping for Your Home

• Baskets
• Wall hangings and tapestries
• Woven rugs and blankets
• Masks
• Lace and embroidered table linens
• Mirrors
• Pottery
• Glazed tiles and ceramics
• Original artwork and sculptures
• Antiques
• Vintage maps
• Copper kitchen utensils
• Miniatures
• Carvings
• Candle holders

Shopping Smart

Before traveling internationally, review customs regulations regarding item importation. Some items, including Cuban cigars and ivory, may be prohibited, and there is often a limit on the value of duty-free items.

Be sure to keep receipts for purchases over $25; these can often be submitted for VAT tax refunds in locales like Canada and Europe.

Regardless of whether your souvenirs are large or small, inexpensive or extravagant, cherish them as meaningful reminders of your memorable vacation experiences.