Practical Souvenirs to Purchase on Your Next Trip

After 14 years of travel to over 55 countries, I’ve slowly but surely filled my house with practical souvenirs from my travels that I get to enjoy every day. Here’s a list of my favorite items to buy when I’m traveling—souvenirs that are practical but still showcase the charm and culture of each destination.

Coffee Mugs

Coffee mugs are a great souvenir and if you’re like me, you’ll use them each and every morning. Some of my favorite coffee mugs are from Guatemala, Greece, Amsterdam, US National Parks, and Portugal. Each mug brings a bit of charm from the destination I grabbed them from. While they may not be the most practical souvenir to pack (be sure to wrap them up so they don’t break!), I’ve managed to carry mugs even on month long trips when the only luggage I have is a backpack.

Jewelry

Jewelry is such a fun item to pick up while traveling. Whether you’re buying a bracelet for a couple dollars off a street vendor or splurging on something from a local artisan, it’s so fun to collect a unique collection of jewelry from your travels. A plus is that these souvenirs are among the easily to pack!

Local Art

Picking up local art is my absolute favorite because I get to hang it on my walls and enjoy it every single day. I usually look for art that rolls up or can fit in my laptop sleeve of my backpack so it doesn’t get ruined on the trip home. Once home, throw that art in a frame and hang it up! You can also splurge to have it professionally framed.

Postcards

Postcards can fall under the same category as art—they can be a great budget option to collecting art on your travels! I have several post cards that after I put them in a frame, they look just as good as local art.

Rugs

When I went to Turkey, I knew I had to buy a Turkish rug. While this item is not practical at all to carry back with you, it’s extremely practical once you’re back home. I paid to get my rugs shipped back from Turkey, which is still more affordable than buying a Turkish rug in the States!

Kitchen Items

Bowls, toothpick holders, bottle openers—the options are limitless for kitchen related souvenirs! Finding practical items that you would shop for at home, but buying them in another country is a great option for a souvenir. My dream is to one day buy a full set of hand painted plates from Italy.

DIY Decor ft. Travel Momentos

You don’t always have to buy your souvenirs, you can make them too! When I studied abroad I saved all of the receipts and tickets from my trip and when I got home I put them all in a frame. It created such a unique item that will always remind me of that trip and also acts as quite the conversation starter.

Clothes, Shoes, & Accessories

Shopping for clothes and accessories is such a fun way to bring home a piece of a destination! Whether it’s the leather markets in Florence or a boutique in Buenos Aires—go check out the local shops!

Trinkets

Trinkets are perhaps my favorite thing to collect while traveling. They may not be practical, but you can absolutely incorporate them into your home decor.

Magnets

I try to grab a magnet just about everywhere I go. They’re so easy to throw in your bag, they’re cheap, and they’re a great way to be reminded of your travels every day.

Christmas Ornaments

While it can feel funny to buy a Christmas ornament in the middle of the summer, it’s so fun to pull them out each year! I love that my Christmas tree is filled with ornaments from around the world.

What are your favorite souvenirs to purchase? Let us know in the comments below!