When we talk about travel in my family, we have great memories as well as a few cautionary tales. When it comes to souvenirs, there’s one story in particular that we tell. It’s been floating around the family for decades now (the events in question actually took place before I was even born), but it’s become a part of family legend.
My grandparents took a trip to Hong Kong. They took a lot of pictures, got a few small souvenirs and enjoyed themselves. And then my grandmother found a store that sold china. She maxed out her credit card, buying several complete sets of china and shipping them back to the States. The family has been pretty much set for dishes ever since.
In a way, her choice of souvenirs was brilliant: the china sets were useful gifts, that family members wouldn’t have bought for themselves. In another way…well, I try to travel light, and the thought of that many dishes is intimidating. It’s a good thing she had them shipped.
As we travel, we find incredible deals, neat toys and wonderful reminders of our time abroad. But it’s surprisingly easy for souvenirs to get out of control. Here are a few tips for keeping your souvenir collection under control.
- Photographs first, souvenirs second: How much does an extra photo add to the weight you’re carrying around? Assuming that you’re using a digital camera, absolutely nothing. Even if you take a couple thousand photos, a spare memory card will fit in your pocket. If you just want something to help you remember, a photo will do the trick. While little mementos are wonderful, you do have to carry them around. And if you’re planning a long trip abroad, maybe months or even years, you probably don’t want to schlep that memento around too long.
- Ship your gifts: Many souvenirs are gifts for loved ones back home — a way to show them what you’re up to. If that’s the case, send those souvenirs home on a regular basis. Once you fill a box, find the local post office and get it on the road. And if you wouldn’t pay to ship it, your loved ones might not be so interested in it anyhow.
- Consider clothing: When I travel, I tend to pick up a few new clothes along the way. In some cases, I just pack less clothing than I’ll probably need, especially if we’re talking months at a time. Why bother with more than one suitcase when you can pick up a cool t-shirt along the way? It can hep to fit in abroad, as well.
- Look for bargains: The reason my grandmother went a little overboard with the china is because it was a bargain — beautiful dishes at a fraction of a price they would be at home. Since most of us can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on souvenirs in each country we visit, shopping for bargains can keep your souvenir budget within reason.
- Make sure you know why you’re buying: It’s easy to think something’s cool in the rush of the moment, but it may not be the best souvenir, nor have the best price. If you’re in a touristy part of town, in fact, those prices are probably sky-high. So make sure you know exactly what you’re buying — and why you want it.
