My dad traveled a lot when I was a kid. His work
took him to different places around the world. He always returned home with
something special. Sometimes it was a pretty patterned plate or an ornate
folding fan. At other times it was a colorful mask or a whimsical snow globe. I
loved the postcards he brought home. Our refrigerator was adorned with
incredible magnets. The key chains were too lovely to be used. I always
waited patiently, with bated breath, as he reached into his suitcase to pull
out these exquisite mementos. It was quite a grand moment, almost like
watching a magician pull something out of his hat. That’s where my love for
souvenirs began. As a child, they made me look forward to visiting
amazing places and now, they help me go back. I always come home with
several keepsakes after a vacation. That’s the reason I pack lightly :) Here’s
a list of some of my treasured souvenirs:
Coffee table books about the vacation spot
Our bookshelves were graced with these beautiful
books that my dad never forgot to bring home when he returned from his
adventures. I remember flipping though the vibrant, glossy pages, admiring the
magnificent photos. Photos! Yes, that’s one of the reasons I really love
these books. While I do enjoy posing for a few photos or trying to capture what
I see on film, I do not like photo sessions to consume hours of my vacation,
unless of course that’s what is intended. Sometimes I find that in my efforts
to try and get that perfect shot, I forget to experience the beauty that I see.
A simple solution I found is going to the marketplace and picking up one of
these books. In addition to spectacular images, I also often find
interesting facts that the guide may have forgotten to mention.
Tote bags
One of the things in a souvenir shop, that
always catches my eye, is an array of printed tote bags. It is a reasonably
priced, extremely useful souvenir. It doubles up as an extra bag to ‘smuggle’
all my ‘vacation purchases’. I do love carrying the tote bags around once I am
home because they are great conversation starters. A colorful bag that has
‘SANTORINI’ printed across is bound to draw attention and make that long line
at the coffee shop seem shorter.
Maps, guides and tickets
If you love scrap-booking, crafting and
recording all your travels, you’d know exactly what I am talking about. These
are wonderful resources that can be used creatively. Sometimes they just go
into my memory box. Does that make me a pack rat? Hmmmm. What can I say?
A piece of the place
Yes, I mean that quite literally. I pick up
oddly shaped tiny rocks and stones that I come across while I am on a trip. I
like to clean and paint them or simply put them in a wicker basket or a decorative bowl. They make a beautiful accent piece and remind me of the
incredible places where I found them. Simply using a permanent marker to
mention the date and place makes them an inexpensive but very special keepsake.
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Although a Pensieve would be ideal, souvenirs
help me relive happy ‘vacation memories’ for now. What souvenirs did you bring
home from your last trip?
Linking up with Mackenzie Glanville's reflections
from me
