Sometimes it’s hard to decide what souvenir to buy for yourself or for a friend, house sitter, or kitty sitter. Sometimes it’s finding the right gift for a birthday gift. Maybe it’s bringing back something from your travels that reminds you of your great trip.
Most of the time I like a souvenir that reminds me of the place I visited. It could be a piece connected to the culture of that place. Or, it may mean I found it at a favorite street market.
Sometimes, the best souvenirs connect to a passion. I bought a hand painted scarf from Paris to give to an art lover and some olive wood spoons at a street market in Provence for a friend who loves to cook.
What about bringing a souvenir you can eat? Giving fleur du sel from a market in Burgundy is the perfect gift or as a great souvenir for me!
You might not think of your pictures as souvenirs, but travel photos are a fantastic reminder of the great times you had. I make small books, with 15 to 20 photos and give to our travel companions.
Typically, I don’t buy heavy or bulky items. Unless, of course, it’s the perfect thing I’ve been looking for. I will pay to have it shipped…but keep in mind there are fees and regulations you might have to deal with.
Whatever you buy, make sure it’s legal to bring home. TSA has regulations. Customs has regulations. And the airlines have regulations. No sense picking up some salami to bring home and watch as it’s dumped into the trash when you go through security. Double check the regulations before you purchase and save yourself the nightmare.