11 Souvenirs That Won't End Up Hidden in The Back of Your Closet

Have you ever noticed that most travel souvenirs end up in the back of a closet somewhere, never to be seen again? We often get drawn into buying the typical souvenirs because they remind us of a good vacation. From shot glasses to wooden sculptures and trinkets, we’ve all been there. To help you save on cupboard space, we’ve come up with ideas of useful souvenirs that you can enjoy regularly, not only when spring-cleaning!

​Before we start, every good souvenir has three characteristics: it fits your budget, it is useful and it triggers good memories from your vacation. Follow these easy guidelines and refer back to our previous post for questions you should ask yourself before buying, and you will find meaningful, useful souvenirs to take home or give to family and friends.
 
Here are a few ideas to get you on the right track!
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Silk scarfs in Thailand

Scarfs
Useful, stylish and comfortable. The lightweight, scarfs are my favourite as they are so versatile, from summer to winter wear. Look for something that reminds you of the place – colors or designs – but will fit your style so you actually wear it.
 
Buying for someone else? This is a great souvenir to bring back for a friend that they will appreciate and use!

Jewellery
Buying yourself a nice necklace or a good pair of earrings as souvenir is a great way to remember your trip through something you will actually use. But don’t fall for the cheap souvenir shop bracelets or necklaces you might wear only once, and then throw away.
 
In Thailand for example, silver is quite cheap so I got myself a silver ring with a moonstone for about 30$. It’s stylish, fit my budget and matches my wardrobe. Every time that I wear it, I go back to the wonderful beaches of Koh Tao!
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Spices in Marrakech

Coffee or tea
Another perfect souvenir to take you back to your vacation on rough mornings or days at work. A nice Costa Rican coffee or a good Japanese tea always makes me feel better! They also make great gifts!
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Spices
We’re not always able to get exotic spices in our country, so bringing a few samples to use at home can be a great idea. Just make sure you are allowed to bring them back in your country!

 Chocolates and sweets
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Bring me some Belgian chocolate and you’ve made my day! Maple syrup products from Canada and sweets from Japan are among popular souvenir ideas.
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Elephant artworks in Thailand

Artwork
This can be a little complicated to bring back if it doesn’t fit your suitcase, but makes a meaningful decoration for your home. Get something elegant and simple so you will like it longer. And before you buy, make sure that it fits your décor and that you have a specific place for it. Beautiful art pieces don’t belong in the back of your closet!

Canvas bag
They have them for every destination now. Hop into any souvenir shop around the world and you will likely find one. Although they’re very typical tourist purchases, they are also very useful and therefore make good souvenirs. Use it at the beach, at the gym, for work or groceries, the possibilities are endless.
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Clothes and jewellery for sale in a Thai market

Clothing
If you like to do a bit of shopping when you’re away, a nice piece of clothing can bring back awesome memories. I like to buy a summer dress when traveling and wear it to dinner or to go out. When you get home, you’re reminded of that night every time it’s worn.

​Music
We always tend to hear new music while on vacation and it makes great addition to your playlists! Whether you buy it on CD or buy it on iTunes or similar sites, it’s the kind of thing that makes you smile every time it comes on!

Photos 
The cheapest, easiest souvenirs to bring back are photos! Whether it’s selfies or nature scenes, pictures make great memories easy to share with friends and family.
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Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Videos
Videos are by far my favourite souvenirs! From random moments to trekking excursions or that time when you ran into a cow outside your hotel room. They don’t need to be long, short captures are awesome and easily taken with your smartphone.

There you have it, great ideas for yourself and your friends, family, coworkers and neighbours even!
 
What’s the wackiest souvenir you’ve ever brought back from your vacation? Let us know in the comments!

​J&C