The 7 Best Souvenirs to Bring Home

Whenever and wherever I travel, I know I'll be buying something - ok, many things - to take home with me. In this case, I'll call them souvenirs. We can refer to them as mementos, cherished items, or more junk in our home. Regardless of its label, in the moment of purchase we know we love it, and it's coming home with us. It's always a nice thing to have something that reminds you of your travels. So I fully support finding at least one thing when you go somewhere and bringing it home with you.

In fact, I am known to take a whole other (foldable) bag with me so that I can fit all my loot on the return journey. I have some particular suggestions to you if you're wondering what to buy when you travel. This list is combined from travels all over the world. And I know you'll find something that resonates with you.

Obviously, what you bring home with you is very subjective. When I ask other frequent travelers what type of items they like to buy during their travels, many of the answers are the same. This list will include items you can take back with you without having to ship. Although I have shipped items in the past, like a cuckoo clock I bought in Switzerland while backpacking across Europe. Sometimes shipping makes sense. Most of the time, for a little souvenir, you can take it with you in your bag. And truly, don't forget that extra travel bag that will save you much hassle when rounding up your goods. Being prepared is half the battle. I am here to help you with that reminder.

While I would consider many things I take home with me to be souvenirs, things like skincare products and beauty products like makeup do not make the cut. I use those everyday and would not exactly be a unique souvenir. This blog post is going to be about things you might not find in your home country, or if you can, they would be more expensive, different, or hard to find. I'm very excited to share my favorite souvenirs, so let's get into this.

Art from Everywhere

By far, other people's beautiful art has been at the top of my list as best souvenirs to bring home. My house is filled with pieces from all over the world and the country, and I love admiring it. It makes for excellent home decor. Sometimes it’s a vase, sometimes it’s a painting, sometimes it's pottery. Every time it’s something that completely gives me the warm and fuzzies when I look at it because I remember that particular trip. Being able to purchase a piece unique to the region or place where you go makes for a special remembrance. My entire office is filled with gorgeous pieces I've picked up from all over the world and country, making each one a great souvenir for me.

Merlin and I Working on the Ornament Collection

One of the most popular souvenirs that I believe people purchase when traveling are Christmas ornaments. No matter what the location is or what time of year it is, I am typically purchasing an ornament. Don't make the mistake of getting one that doesn't have the location clearly marked on there - you'll want to remember which ornament came from which city! Collecting ornaments has become such a delightful pastime for me. And my goal is to fill my tree each year with ones from all over the world and reflect the local culture. If you love decorating a Christmas tree each year, this is the perfect souvenir for you. I have fallen so in love with the Christmas spirit that I go each year to the German Christmas markets to enjoy them for my Thanksgiving tradition. How's that for Christmas spirit?!

Beautiful Mariage Frères Store in Paris

Although beverages don’t last after the last sip, it’s definitely one of the best souvenirs to bring home, at least in my opinion. Likely not every trip you go on or every place you go to, but the places that really have a specialty…it’s such a treat. When I went to Italy, I regrettably did not leave enough space for the amount of wine I desired to take back with me. I made do, and I did get to bring some high quality (and much less expensive) bottles back with me, but I wanted more. C’est la vie. My trip to Hawaii brought back some rum. And my trip to London was filled with delicious Beefeater gin. From Paris, Mariage Frères tea. A treat for the mouth - buy the bevvies. They make for such a good travel souvenir. And bring along your extra bag to transport it all.

Shoes I Bought in Paris

When I say apparel are in the category of best souvenirs to bring home, I don’t mean a tacky tie-dyed t-shirt with “Panama City Beach” on it. I’m talking about a piece of apparel that, when you wear it, you will remember where you were and how it made you feel. Traveling to Paris is one of my biggest joys in life, and I love picking up clothing pieces from Sezane and Maje when I’m there. Of course I can purchase during the year online. But it’s not the same and I don't. I wrote a post on what to buy in Paris if you're looking for ideas.

Additionally, I like to pick up scarves and shoes that are typically not to be found in the United States, making them extra special to me. The shopping experience can be such a fun one when traveling. Block out a couple of hours if you’re so inclined and enjoy the experience of shopping somewhere else.

Tea Towel from Acadia National Park in Maine

In my kitchen, I love displaying a tea towel that says something about me (and no, not “This House is Blessed”). The towel hangs on my oven handle, and while I use it to wipe my hands, it’s not the rag type of towel that is used to wipe up messes or dry dishes. Those are different. I’ve started to collect these when I travel. And they are moving up the ranks as the best souvenirs to bring home. They’re usually pretty well priced, between $15-$25, and you can remember your trip while cooking some delicious meal in your kitchen. I’ve truly enjoyed adding these little gems to my travel takeaways, and you might, too. It’s a special way to remind yourself of fun times.

Earrings from Paris

The most fun type of jewelry that I like to buy when traveling are fun pieces. I’m not going to drop $1000s on some piece of jewelry, as it’s not really my style in general. Hey, if it’s yours, have at it. But as an example, while traveling to Wyoming, I bought some tiny sheriff badge earrings that I just adore. You have to be close up to me to see what they are and what they say. But when people see them, they go bonkers. In Africa I bought a bracelet out of beaded safety pins from the locals. It’s jewelry like these pieces that make the best souvenirs to bring home from trips. Make sure it’s locally made, too, so you can support their local community. That’s another biggie for me.

Bookstore in Paris

There are two suggestions I have with photography: take your own photos or hire a photographer to take photos OF you. I do both, and I absolutely love the results of both. Most of my joy of traveling revolves around taking my camera and shooting the landscapes around me. I've done this for as long as I can remember, as toting a camera has always been my thing. Because I've gotten better at it, I do sell my prints online, and I have around my house.

The second suggestion is having a photographer take your photos while traveling. Each time I go to Paris, I get my friend to take my photos, as she is an outstanding portrait photographer. The photos she produces of me make think I *might* actually be a model. She works magic! This is a fabulous souvenir, and one I recommend to anyone who loves photos of themselves and/or their families.

Traveling is one of the most life-giving things I have ever done for myself. My soul requires it; otherwise, I get grumpy and restless. In between my travels, seeing my little reminders of the best souvenirs to bring home helps me get to the next trip. I can spend some time reminiscing and thinking fondly of my past travels. Give yourself the gift of a little something that will absolutely remind you of your adventures. You’ll be glad you did, and it will get you through until you can travel again. I know it sure does for me.

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