It’s been an interesting week checking out all of your best travel souvenirs and reading about some of your travel adventures. It’s reminded me that there is so much more to buying a souvenir than just having something to remember the trip. So many of you had some fabulous stories and I thank you for sharing them. It was the stories that really showed me just how important souvenirs can be.
Below you will find my favourites. All of these entries stood out for one reason or another. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner of the awesome $1000 Visa prepaid card (competition details here). Take a look…
Best travel souvenir favourites
I don’t just love these cute koalas that Claire brought home from Australia, but also the fact that she went to the effort to find a local crafter to make them for her so that she wasn’t just bringing home something that was actually made in China.
Her story (unfortunately image was removed from Instagram): When I went to Australia I was really annoyed to find that most of the souvenirs were not made in Australia. I felt it defeated the purpose to take something home that had a “made in China” tag on it. Then when I was in a cafe close to where I was staying I noticed some items for sale that had been made by a local crafter, I found out her email address and contacted her to ask if she could possibly make koalas. She put together a sample before making me 14 more. I fell so in love with the wee guys that myself and my family kept 3 when we got back to the UK, the rest were rehoused with various friends 🙂
I love this souvenir because its a reminder that souvenirs are not just things you buy to remind you of a trip or as a present. I love what it means to bubsonthemove.
@wheressharon is asking everyone what their favourite #souvenir is. Mine would have to be this USA Bicentennial birth commemorative medal. My parents were Aussie expats living in the US when I made my entrance into the world in the middle of a Michigan ice storm. I may be a tropics loving Aussie but this medal is a reminder that I am also a proud American with two passports that have travelled around the world with me #SouvenirStories #discoveramerica A photo posted by Danielle Esler (@bubsonthemove) on
Here’s a “souvenir” with a difference – check out this cute dog! What a fabulous reminder of your adventures and a lovely thing to do.
His story (unfortunately image was removed from Instagram): Can a dog be a favorite travel souvenir? #souvenirstories This is Tamale, our Mexican immigrant who came home with us at the end of our 465-day trip around the world. We met her while she was being fostered in Valladolid after being found on the street and she adopted us from the very first meeting. Love this little rascal. A photo posted by Jeremy Jones (@livingthedreamrtw) on
I love how clever this souvenir present idea is. It has never occurred to me to bring home DIY souvenirs for presents which are both awesome, thrifty and show some thought.
The best souvenirs are those you gift to loved ones. Small budget, big heart? Follow my DIY tips for a souvenir from France for 3 euros– just hit the supermarket! I skipped the fancy shops and hit a Monoprix in Paris where I bought gorgeous soaps from Marseille (1euro a bar) and these cute pocket washcloths (1.95 euro) and tied it up with a ribbon from a craft shop. #souvenirstories A photo posted by SouvenirFinder (@souvenirfinder) on
And here’s one that I like because I have the same sake set from Japan! Well I did until recently when it became part of the gigantic cull we have going on. After not using it in the many years since I bought it, I decided it had to go 🙁
One of my favorite souvenirs is this gorgeous ($$$) tea set we bought in Singapore @WheresSharon #souvenirstories pic.twitter.com/CdoaO6f6PL — Eat Your Passport (@EatYourPassport) December 12, 2014
Runner up
I LOVE the following entry:
‘ @WheresSharon here’s my mosque alarm clock of Saudi Arabia #SouvenirStories and hear it here http://t.co/2wnztJUDwW pic.twitter.com/jXgdlUzWCI — The Guy ✈ (@TheGuyWhoFlies) December 12, 2014
I thought it was an interesting souvenir when I read this tweet but then I checked out the YouTube video and I was hooked. I want one! Watch it below:
The Guy wrote that it is not only loud (there is no volume control), but lights up! Try staying asleep through this. He also bought some for friends who did not appreciate it – tell them to send it to me! Although I have the feeling that I would probably stop loving it pretty quickly. Thanks for sharing this Guy. I will be hunting for it during my upcoming adventures! Hopefully they are available somewhere other than Saudi Arabia.
Winner of the $1000 Visa Prepaid Card
I was not just looking for the best travel souvenir, but the most interesting story. The winning entry showed me what an insight souvenir buying can give you into local cultures. Not just what that country does well, but their problems. This story made me laugh and then made me feel quite sad. I will let Christine tell it herself:
Congratulations Christine! I hope you are able to put your $1000 prepaid Visa card to good use!
Tags: Competition
