If you’re currently on vacation scouring shop after shop for the perfect souvenir for yourself or a loved one, you may be finding that the gifts on offer just aren’t cutting it in terms of thoughtfulness. Instead of getting frustrated, try thinking outside the box to find the perfect gift that acts as a great memento of your unforgettable trip. Whether you’re on vacation or staycation, if you are in need of some inspiration, we’ve put together a few examples of souvenir ideas that are worth far more than the money you pay for them.
Artwork
Adding a new piece of art to your home permanently ensures you’ll never forget the place you bought it from. Even better, you can pick up a piece that is bespoke to your holiday destination. It may be art from a local artist or artwork that you’ve picked up from a local gallery. It could even be the art itself that reminds you of your trip – whether that be a golden beach in South America or the bustling streets of New York City.
Jewelry
It doesn’t matter what the occasion is, jewelry is always a great gifting option, and this includes those gifts to yourself! It also serves as the perfect reminder of a particular trip or vacation by allowing you to wear a small piece of your holiday. For ultimate memorability, source your jewelry from a local jeweler or focus your search on items that are specific to a particular region or country.
Countries like Sri Lanka and Madagascar are known for producing high quantities of sapphires, which may allow you to find some stunning blue sapphire jewelry that was mined in your holiday destination.
Wine or Spirit
Alcohol is one of the most common gift ideas and can be enjoyed on a special occasion or simply as a decorative ornament as part of a wider collection. This makes for the perfect souvenir option too, whether you are bringing it back as a gift or adding to your own home to remind you of your time away.
Various countries are known for their ability to specialise in the production of certain wines or spirits, so it’s worth researching if your holiday destination is known for anything in particular. Ireland, Scotland and Japan have strong reputations in the whisky market, while the likes of France, Italy and South Africa are known to produce some of the world’s finest wines.
Confectionaries
The items mentioned already could theoretically last a lifetime, but if you are ok with consuming your souvenir, confectionery makes for a great choice – especially if you are looking for a gift for someone else or working with a smaller budget.
Most sweet lovers enjoy sampling treats from different places that they haven’t tried before, which makes your present choosing a whole lot easier. Simply head to a local grocery store and pick out a few sweet treats that you don’t recall seeing in your home country, whether that be an Asian sweet manufacturer or one of America’s candy giants.