It’s always been so important to me to find souvenirs on my vacations, not only for my friends and family but for myself as well. However, I’ve long tired of buying myself the obligatory ‘I love (insert city)’ t-shirt that will do nothing but collect dust in my closet. In the past few years I’ve made a promise to myself to find gifts that I could use, bring me joy, and be nice reminders of the beauty of the country I visited. I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing what I like to bring home. Here are few of my favorite finds when shopping for souvenirs:
Clothes!
I absolutely love shopping for clothes when traveling. The goal is to find special pieces that I can easily integrate into my everyday wardrobe in the states. And they are always a conversation starter. At a recent doctor’s visit, the nurse asked where I got the swing, sleeveless, pinstripe dress I was wearing, and I told her from a little shop in Tokyo. She chuckled thinking I was going to mention a store in the local mall. We then started having an easy breezy convo about Japan, which I always enjoy sharing stories about. Even though these are global chains, I’ll still walk into a H&M and Zara to see what styles they have. If you’re on the other side of the world, you’ll be able to pick out styles according to their weather season (usually opposite of what we’re experiencing) and customs (styles in Kuala Lumpur’s Zara are a lot different from South Africa’s). Consider leaving a little room in your suitcase the next time you travel for fun wardrobe finds.
Perfumes and Essence Oils
Activate those fond memories of exotic cities and adventures with bringing back perfumes, oils, and incense. These are some of my favorite souvenirs to liven up on my home. I’ve picked up incense from an onsen in Japan, essential oils to wear and diffuse from a shop in Luxor, Egypt, to perfumes in France. My favorite place to shop for smell goods is actually in Dubai’s airport (DXB). There is a tourist shop where they sell all types of souvenirs (keychains, tshirts, etc.) that include local colognes and oils. Their beautiful packaging also make for great decor in my bathroom.
Purses & Handbags
If I’m shopping for clothes when I travel, I need to have the perfect accessories, right? My go to is looking for different handbags that can tell their own story. I’m all for looking for bags that show a bit of the culture that I can add to an outfit. The purse above was purchased in Dubai and I was able to wear it at a Sangeet I was invited to in Kuala Lumpur. Treating myself to handbags are a functional way to use my souvenirs as accessories.
What are your favorite souvenirs you treat yourself to when you travel?