A Mindful Approach to Travel Souvenirs

Gift shops are my guilty pleasure. I’d love to say that the cultural and personal enrichment of new knowledge, experiences, relationships, and flavors was enough for me, that memories and photos were all I’d take home. But if there’s a gift shop, I’m making a beeline for it.

That said, as a frequent traveler, I must take a mindful approach to souvenirs. I don’t want to be the cause of waste or clutter. Below are some of my favorite souvenirs that don’t take up space or collect dust, as well as ones I (almost) always avoid.

Patches: Space-Saving Souvenirs

Before I was born, my father toured the U.S. by motorcycle. He began to notice cloth patches for sale at national parks, historic sites, and other attractions. Patches became his souvenir of choice because they were inexpensive, colorful, and descriptive of the places he’d been, but they were also small and lightweight—and he didn’t have much room to spare in the motorcycle’s saddlebags.

Throughout my childhood, he looked for patches to add to his collection everywhere we went. I picked up the habit at age 18 and still seek out patches today. If I’m flying, they take up virtually no space in my carry-on, and the same is true of my closet at home.

What, though, do you do with your collection of patches? Dad always wanted to frame his and hang them on the wall like a tapestry. I currently have a camera bag, a messenger bag, and a jacket covered in patches. Using these items makes me happy because they remind me of past travels, and they’re a great conversation piece. Because they become a useful item, they’re not going to end up in a landfill anytime soon.

My focus on collecting patches also saves me money when I travel. They’re generally inexpensive, ranging from $3 to $12. When I buy a patch, I’m less likely to splurge on that $60 hoodie. Not every place sells patches, however. When I can’t find a patch, I look for the following alternatives.

More Small Souvenirs

As embroidered patches became a staple of adventure culture in North America, hiking stick medallions served the same role in Europe. Today, you can find these small, colorful, metal medallions in many gift shops and visitor centers.

If I can’t find a patch or have purchased one on a previous visit, I look next for a hiking stick medallion. Like the patches, these medallions serve as a tangible reminder of the places I’ve been and the things I’ve done.

I affix my medallions to a literal wooden hiking stick, but you could also sew them onto clothing or glue them to a solid object, such as a thermos. In this way, they too become part of a usable everyday item.

If neither patches nor medallions are available, I sometimes purchase stickers or pins as an alternative. I’m sparing with these items, however. Not all stickers hold up well when adhered to an object that is used daily. And, unless you replace the pin-backs with locking ones, you may find that your memories get lost along the way.

The Best Sort of Temporary Souvenir

Another type of souvenir I love is the consumable kind—that is, food and beverage items. I look for something unique that I can’t find at home, something descriptive of the place or its culture. I’ve brought home coffee and chocolate grown in the Dominican Republic, Tim Tam biscuits and tea from Australia, fine Italian chocolates from a cruise ship, and Cajun spices from the Gulf Coast. Whether I share these or enjoy them myself, I’m transported for a moment back to their place of origin.

Have you ever received a knick-knack, fridge magnet, or keychain from a friend and cringed at the thought of keeping it? After all, it might commemorate a place you’ve never been and an experience you’ve never had. Or maybe it just doesn’t match your style.

For that reason, I often look for consumables when I’m bringing home souvenirs for other people. They can still enjoy the thrill of gaining something from a faraway place, but they don’t have to feel bad about not keeping it forever, because it is intended to be used up.

DIY Souvenirs

Sometimes, the best souvenirs aren’t purchased; they’re made. Many places include attractions that allow you to learn how to blow glass or create other items as part of the experience.

Where permitted, I also enjoy creating souvenirs from items found in nature. On a recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast, for example, I collected many small seashells on the beach. When one afternoon turned cold and rainy, I made a trip to the craft department of the local Walmart. The shells became earrings I could share with my companions and friends back home, and the afternoon wasn’t lost to the bad weather.

If you’re going to DIY with natural objects, it’s your responsibility to ensure compliance with any local laws. For example, it is illegal to remove natural materials from national parks and some beaches. And when traveling internationally, customs regulations dictate what you can bring from one country to another.

You can also combine some consumables with DIY. For example, I enjoy selecting location-specific bottles of wine, especially if the labels feature interesting graphics that convey something about the experience. Later, I fill the empty bottles with fairy lights.

I’ve also turned the take-out bags from destination restaurants into commemorative wall art. A pair of scissors and an inexpensive picture frame is all it takes. In this way, I’ve created souvenirs from places that don’t technically sell souvenirs.

Souvenirs I Don’t Buy (Often)

As mentioned above, I like souvenirs that don’t take up too much space or collect dust. I also ask myself questions like, “How many of these items do I already have? Am I going to use it? How long will I keep it before it goes to Goodwill or into the trash?” My closet and cupboard are only so big, after all.

With those thoughts in mind, I rarely purchase the following souvenirs:
● T-shirts
● Hats
● Mugs
● Shot glasses
● Knickknacks
● Refrigerator magnets

Of course, I don’t make any hard and fast rules for myself. If it is cute or unique, and I’m sure I’ll wear or use it, I do indulge occasionally.

Taking a mindful approach to souvenirs is important, especially if you travel often. The right souvenirs will bring a smile to your face without any negative consequences. The money you save can go toward your future travels, and you’ll be content in selecting eco-friendly options.