Lostman's Star
Not all those who wander are lost, but I certainly am!
Souvenir Ideas
I was speaking with my dear friend Atlas while writing this article, asking her about the sort of things she might spend her money on while traveling. With a severe look she told me “For the love of God, don’t buy those tiny spoons!”
I had to laugh, they do seem ridiculous to me, but I’m sure some of my souvenir habits seem ridiculous to other travelers.
I’ve recently had to rethink what sort of things I wanted to purchase, and while I’ve come up with a list of self imposed rules, it really all boils down to things that are small, are an active part of my life, and that will last.
So what kind of things do I spend my money on?
#1: Post Cards
I’ve mentioned before in several articles that I’m not the greatest photographer in the world, so it’s nice to have a much more dramatic representation of the places I’ve visited. A couple of coins usually covers the purchase, and at the end of the trip I bind them into a little booklet alongside the name of the place they represent, and the date that I’d visited. It ends up being like a photo album, only it’s me who’s made the album rather than taken the photos!
#2: Christmas Ornaments
Light, and compact, Christmas tree ornaments can be a great way to bring your international travels home. I try to get ones that are culturally reflective of the places I’ve visited. When in Oberammergau I purchased one that featured my favourite carol on it, Silent Night, written in the original German. At the Cliffs of Moher I purchased a wooden disk with a Celtic looking deer carved into it.
The best part about the ornaments though is that they are away for most of the year, so when I bring them out at Christmas I get a little happiness high; I take my time unpacking each and remembering the amazing trip I had with the people I love.
#3: Paintings and Prints
This is why my list of requirements doesn’t include ‘cheap’. If I find a piece by a local artist that I find inspiring, I’m not opposed to putting (what I consider) a serious bit of cash down. In the case of paintings, art shops and artists themselves are usually willing to take the canvas off the frame for you so you can roll them up for ease of transport. Wrap the painting in plastic wrap if you can, to keep it safe from any spills from wayward shampoo bottles during transport.
Transporting older items is a little bit trickier. I have a set of newspapers from the eighteen hundreds that I bought with Aunt River at the Marché Au Puces in Paris. Things like these need to be handled delicately, and kept flat.
If you’re staying at a hotel, ask if they have boxes they can spare. A local grocery store might have some as well. Cut the boxes up and tape two sides together. Place your artwork between the cardboard sheets, and wrap the whole thing in a plastic bag. Aunt River took them home to Canada for me as a carry on.
#4: Music
Not just any music though! Only music which has been produced by a local artist or from live performances that I saw while away. I also try to buy from a local shop as opposed to chain stores.
A great place for live music is Grafton Street in Dublin, where on one particular afternoon I went around listening, dancing, and tipping as my family wandered in and out of the shops. Attempting to dance like a 1920’s flapper to a tune played by the Honky Tonk Sailing Jazz Band was great fun, and it’s now a happy memory that I get to re-live when I hear their music being played!
#5: Books
I have to be careful about this one. Given the resources I would clear out entire bookstores of their inventory. I love books! I therefore have strict rules for myself: Only one per country, and it has to be about the area or by a local author; preferably both.
Good books, much like good music, they last forever in your mind and in your heart, so for me, even though it’s not lightweight or compact, books are worth it. One book. Right. One book … Maybe two books.
#6: Useful Exceptions
There are a few exceptions to my rules, but these items tend to be practical ones. I purchased a pair of pint glasses at the Guiness Brewery in Dublin, and Forest and I got matching T-shirts of our Hogwarts houses when we went to the Warner Brothers Studio in London. These items will be used over and over again, so they won’t be gathering dust.
The only thing I can say that was completely out of the ordinary for me was a splurge purchase of tulips from the Keukenhof Gardens. I planted them in the fall, and am anxiously awaiting to see them in the spring!
Remember that these are just the rules that I’ve set for myself. One of my friends collects thimbles, something I would never purchase unless for her, and a Muslim or Jewish individual might have no use for Christmas ornaments. Suit the rules to yourself, but keep the basics in mind. Keep it light, small, and make sure it will bring you happiness for years to come!
Do you have any souvenirs you’re particularly fond of? Let me know in the comments!
Lostman's Star 
Love the souvenir ideas …it gets me thinking of the rocks (small & large) that I have picked up in my travels over the many many years & placed them on our rock wall entering our property. Archeologists in years to come may wonder how rocks from The White Cliffs Of Dover next to those of Cape Cod have ended up on our rock wall!
I say “Rock On”!
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