I find the idea of souvenirs very exciting. There's so many avenues to gift-giving and act as keepsake with fond reminders of your holiday, including food, trinkets and clothing...
I tend to go for a mix of traditional and unusual items. On my last overseas trip, (Hawaii) I bough some local seasoning from Kauai, a 1940s paper doll book from Pearl Harbor, coconut soap, kitsch dashboard hula dolls, key rings and tee shirts from the destinations I spent significant and memorable time in (Jurassic World for Kualoa Ranch pictured). The quirkiest item I brought back was the hula girl outfit: coconut bra, grass skirt and lei - complete with dance instructions! (this one I'm keeping for myself, haha).
In Wales I bought a locally handcrafted puzzle of the Welsh Dragon in Cardiff and a couple of white knights from Chepstow Castle, while in New Zealand I bought a beautiful paua shell bracelet sold in Christchurch.
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| Various fridge magnets I've collected on my travels |
What I tend to collect for myself is fridge magnets, particularly if they're locally made. Take the carved tiki in the picture for example, made in Rotorua from kauri and inlayed with paua shell.
I also make an effort to send post cards from everywhere I travel. These usually go out to family and close friends... even if I'm travelling interstate for work (I tend to go to some very pretty places).
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Cards and postcards from Qatar, Wales and Hawaii
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What souvenirs do you prefer to buy and do you collect anything like postcards or magnets from your travels?
