We all like to bring home mementos from our travels. The key to not ending up with buyers remorse is to select those souvenirs that we can actually use and enjoy after each trip. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy some typical travel finds.
Decorating
I’m a huge fan of travel decorating. I feel that picking up Persian carpets and Czechoslovakian crystal on location lends an affordable sense of style to our home. Besides, punch bowls, mantle clocks classic flower vases are all functional souvenir ideas that help avoid the drawers full of clutter I see in the homes of other frequent vacationers. To each his own of course, but it just isn’t my cup of tea. For those watching their shopping budget there are other affordable ways to go such as creating your own temple rubbings and using an art tube to carry home affordable street art from places like Venice, Italy or the ancient city of Jerusalem.
Family Fun
If you’re taking the kids along on your next getaway, then you may want to consider family souvenirs such as seashells for nature crafts or group photo ops in front of an amazing ocean view. Don’t bypass the street stalls, either. You can create fun souvenirs from beads which are available for a song around the world, and handmade dolls are usually the most affordable at street markets. For example, I’ve seen Ecuadorian dolls at the Saquisili and Otavalo markets, as well as knitted finger puppets for sale in Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Accessorizing
I’m a big believer in accessorizing on the cheap, and shopping on the road is a great way to accomplish that. Especially when you’re traveling to exceptionally affordable areas of the world. Pick up inexpensive sarongs in Indonesia to use for skirts, bathing suit wraps and even table cloths if you’re decorating your patio in a tropical theme. Tribal jewelry crafted in silver, woven belts and custom-made boots are among other accessory bargains you’re likely to find on the road.
Souvenir shopping doesn’t have to result in a boatload of tacky items that will do nothing but clutter drawers when you get back home. Think outside the box and practice your bargaining skills to get spectacular souvenirs for less.
