We’ve all been there. Standing at the souvenir stand and asking yourself, “What do I want to take home with me?” Scanning prices and grumbling at the cost for cheap pieces of plastic. You don’t want to spend all your precious vacation time deciding. So, what exactly makes a “good souvenir”?
Here are some questions I ask myself before I get to the souvenir stand:
Can I buy this cheaper somewhere else?
Not just at another souvenir stand, although I find the farther from the famous landmark the store is, the cheaper the prices, but other non-souvenir stands. My favorite is grocery stores. You can usually buy three times the amount of the local famous ingredient/candy/pastries for three times less. And the larger grocery store chains will sometimes have a souvenir section with the exact same stuff as the booths.
Will I actually wear that?
When I first started traveling, I planned to get a souvenir tank top shirt from every country I went. That plan was foiled when I discovered that not only do most colder places not sell souvenir tank tops, those that do are often in limited variety and are expensive. Instead, my new favorite pastime is charity shops! Not only are they budget friendly, and often supporting a worthy cause, I will wear those clothes much more regularly than one with “New Zealand” is emblazoned over my chest.
Actually, I wear that New Zealand tank top quite often. Probably because it doesn’t have much competition in the tank top section of my closet. I also frequently wear my branded Switzerland bandana. Remind yourself of your wardrobe before handing over money and you’ll end up continually using everything you buy.
How useful will this be?
How many tchotchkes does one need? One could argue the answer is zero because nobody actually needs tchotchkes. The very definition of the word is “a small object that is decorative rather than functional.” Instead of buying a small miniature version of an iconic building, maybe you’d rather have that image on a an I have an oven mitt from New Orleans that makes me think of all the wonderful food I ate there every time I use it.
Would this be appreciated?
If you’re buying for somebody else, be conscious of what they will use. No matter how cheap that ashtray is, why buy it for a nonsmoker? But seriously, don’t bring home a pouch of spicy paprika for a picky eater who doesn’t cook.
Keep in mind how many coasters and bookmarks they actually need. If you got one for them last time, maybe it’s time for something new? Unless they’re a voracious reader or drinker, in which case: themed gifts are awesome! Bookmarks from around the world sounds awesome.
Will this survive being washed?
Living in New York City, I do not own a dishwasher. But the number of sad mug stories I’ve heard from people who throw their cheap souvenir dishes on the top rack thinking they’ll be safe are too many. If you must get a mug (I own several) then your best bet for survival is something with carved lettering.
You can promise you’ll always hand wash it, but then you better do so immediately after every use and store it somewhere hidden or live alone, because I guarantee somebody else in your household will use it and put it in the dishwasher.
Are Christmas ornaments for everyone?
Maybe? I’ve seen some ornaments that are very handsome or have multiple uses. Sometimes they can be hung from car rearview mirrors. But not everybody celebrates and for some it can be a sensitive subject. If you know the person well, go for it! If not, err on the side of something more secular.
Would my money be better spent elsewhere?
Farmer’s markets, craft stalls, roadside stands. These are all places full of locals with local merchandise. If you want your money to help support the people and land where you’re visiting, this is a guaranteed method. Plus whatever you’ve bought will be a unique piece of memorabilia.
Can I take this on the plane?
One of my saddest moments was throwing out a nearly full jar of manuka honey because I didn’t realize the airport classified honey as a liquid. I heard a story from a TSA agent where somebody elected to chug half a bottle of alcohol rather than throwing it out or getting out of line to check their bag instead. There are multiple television series devoted to people trying to smuggle contraband foods, tobacco products, and other things in and out of countries.
Be conscious of what the rules are and how they differ when it comes to checked vs carryon luggage. Especially if you’re flying with only a single bag.
Agree? Disagree? Do you have other questions you ask yourself? Tell me in the comments below.