When I travel to a new country, the first things I want to find are a flag of that country, and some recordings of that country's folk music. If I travel to a different part of a country from which I already have a flag, I like to try and find something else that is culturally important to that part of the country, and if there is different music of that area, I look for that too. What is your favourite souvenier to bring home, when you travel?
[question posted by danishcanadian]
responses and comments:
I used to like teaspoons and ashtrays, but now I look for clothes.happyhappyhappy [diamondrose1]
The best souvenir is the memories but besides those, I like postcards. They have the best picture of the town.I don't usually take pictures so postcards are best. [sarahruthbeth22]
I have never been to another country but if I travel to another state or somewhere. I usally like to buy either a t-shirt or a mug with the name of the place that I have visited. [Shaun72]
Oh Thats Nice You Like To Learn Culture, Even i have A Passion For knowing and Learning Cultures. There is Lot To learn In My Country, which is Diverse in Every Way Be it Language, Music, Food, Dress etc. So Havent Bothered to Venture Out ............ LoL ............ [prashanthalva]
I used to have a doll collection and even made a special shelf for it. But now I gave my collection to my eldest daughter and I bring small gifts to my grandchildren. Ocationallt, I bring a nice mug for me or a ceramic plate. [marguicha]
I always get a shirt or two. It will always be a conversation piece when people see me wearing it. I always get a shirt because it's not bulky and it fits my bag just fine especially when I have just a backpack with me. [russso]
I'd love to bring something that has the name of the place I've been to. It should also be something light and handy. A keychain is a good example. I use to bring shirts before, but I find them bulky, and I always end up paying extra for the baggage. [kryzell]
I love to get me a t-shirt with the name of the place on it. I also like to collect magnets for the refrigerator also of the places that I visit. Sometimes I buy wooden cedar things also. [stephcjh]
I don't do a whole lot of travelling, especially out of the country. My souvenir priorities though are usually sweatshirts, t-shirts, maybe a coffee mug. Picture Frames are nice so I can put a picture from the trip into the frame. I used to collect Buttons (the kind with pictures on them that you pin to stuff) and my Dad always brought me a new pin whenever he travelled. I still have those hundreds of pins in a box in the basement. I used to pin them on a corked wall but haven't lived in a home with one of those in 17 years. [patgalca]
I either look for a t-shirt or coffee mug. Normally it's the coffee mug, I have a pretty good collection, and yes, I use them all. That's why I like buying them, it's something I will use, and won't just collect dust. lol My daughter usually buys a shot glass, she has a big collection now from different states and cities, my sister even gave her some from her trips to Ireland and Scotland. [palonghorn]
I don't travel, but your things sound incredible! We used to collect refrigerator magnets. Every time we reach for food, we're reminded of some pleasant trip. We have a neighbor who travels a lot and brings us those.as well. I especially like that you collect the folk music. Do you have a lot in your collection? [Apple1]
When I travel, I bring home things that has the place's name, emblem or logo on it, or any figure or miniature that tells something about the country - national flower, animals, a famous landmark. I go for small and handy items like key chain, pewter, figurines, wood carvings, or even car stickers. I usually buy souvenirs for the family and friends back home, but I keep at least 1 memento for myself, they remind me of the places I've been to. [doryvien]
Traveling is a great passion of mine. The reason why I love to travel is because I want to see the country's unique culture. I also go to see its famous sights and tourist spots. When I was a kid, I always used to buy a key chain with the name of the country on it. Now that I am older, I like collecting magnets from the countries I visit. I always buy magnets with a country's name on it and/or a tourist attraction imprinted in the magnet. Currently, I have a handful of magnets already. [zzyw87]
I like to pick up anything from the place i visit.For me since i have not been to another country yet so the question of collecting flag doesnt arise but i love traveelin n so far it has only been domestic so i pick up the city's speciality or something that can quickly relate the item to the place.And yes i do like picking souviniers when i travel..its a good habit too/. [walnutbrownie]
I am collecting fridge magnets. So, every time I visit a new place, I will make sure to get at least one. They are not just some random fridge magnets, but originally made from that particular places. :) [corrycrystal]
i always look for a postcard and the country's flag i also look for a magnet. my fridge is full of magnets and i hang the flags up on my travel wall to show myself how many countries i have been to. i always avoid finding music because you never know what you might be buying in a CD but i always put the flag up on my wall with the pictures i took on that trip below the flag and the i put up another flag and more pictures of my time in that country its a hobby for me really. now that more and more countries are having the i heart country's name i try to look for that shirt but its quite hard cause the mostly put the capital cities names instead like in Malaysia they have i heart KL but oh well its still good fun. and just because we are lucky enough to be traveling doesn't mean we can't do a little charity work. go donate something and smile. :) [berrys]
We like to collect magnets from the places we visit like theme parks or caves or historical places. We also try to find license plates for the kids, we have OK, CA, FL, NM and CO. We hope to have TX this year as well. [gitfiddleplayer]
I still posses a silver charm bracelet that I started over 40 years ago. As my husband at the time was in show business and we traveled all over the world I got a charm from every major city. Eiffel Tower from Paris, Colosseum from Rome, etc., etc. if the city did not have a well known tourist site then I got the city's coat of arms. [whiteheather39]
looking back now, i find myself constantly gravitating towards purchasing a key chain as a souvenir item whenever i'd go out and travel. perhaps its because of the fact that its small and convenient. for beaches, i try to collect shells and stones but its difficult to remember where i got them from so i try to just get the key chains. [bluerlyn]
t-shirts! i love to collect t-shirts with print of the name of the place i've been to.i try to get different colors for variety. collecting t-shirts with places on them is fun. before, i used to collect key chains. [edelweiza]
Maybe some interesting things. [Jakywoo]
Well, I try to get as much as possible as my budget allows me...I totally agree about the flag policy, I also like to buy those as souvenir, and itīs so easy to give it as a present. I have a magnet "fetiche" as well: my refrigerator door is blasting with magnets from spain, canada, france, england, israel, china... of course, I never forget about buying an eyfel tower miniature, a london bus, a chinese can of coke, and all the delicatessen that my body can get!! [saracl99]
Food is the number one souvenir for me! I just love sharing foods to my family and friends, specially those that can only be bought in that particular country or province. Second is lots and lots of pictures. I like taking lots of pictures of the beautiful places that we go to. =) [Ingkingderders]
I think the best souvenir to bring home from travel is soil from that land. [wittytemptress]
When i travel i buy whatever is nice to buy as a souvenir but my favorite souvenir is a picture. I love to take lots of pictures when i'm traveling. It's free and unlimited. =D [check23]
USed to be just something. Anything cute or useful. But in my last years of traveling I'd buy a refridgerator magnet of the place I was at. It had to have hte name of the place or city on it and then with decoration about the city or place. That way as they were all on my fridge... I could remember the places and good times every single day! That was really nice! But you can also collect mugs or things like that that you use every day and remember your travels. [coffeebreak]
How about The Souvenirs of Michael Hughes: http://HownWow.Com/2008/04/07/the-souvenirs-of-michael-hughs/ :-) [gahsoon]
When I travel, I usually will bring home some kind of clothing. I am not one to collect stuff~ I don't want alot of stuff in my house. At least with the clothing I can wear it. [sunshine4]
Oh i see you've your special favourite souvenirs to bring home from foreign countries. For me i think i would like to bring back some local food of that country for my family and friends (if the food can last that long until i back to my country). Besides, i would also like to buy and bring back some local made souvenirs or hand Crafts which can reflect the local culture of that country. Last but not least, of course lots of photos taken and the beautiful scenery of that country.happy [aikhong]
I like to bring home things like bookmarks, keychains, sometimes hats or tshirts or even sweaters. If I'm within Canada I dont have to cross any borders or anything so I can get things like syrups and veggies and treats when i travel here. [saundyl]
it really depends on what i like from that place. but ofcourse the first thing that comes to my mind is food. I really like trying food that is not common in my city but common is some other place [o0jopak0o]
I want to taste the famous food that the place offers and when it comes to souvenir, any stuff that has a name of place on it. [eighternity]
When I travel to another country I usually like to bring back something I can hang up on the wall like some kind of plaque with that country's name and or flag or a decorate piece that I can display for memories. [moretechgadgets]
I usually like to buy ashtrays with the name of the country. Sometimes there is a nice picture of the city or tourist attraction. The funny thing is that I don't even smoke ,but I love to buy ashtrays. [Mirita]
The only thing I care about bringing home with me is pictures of the place I've visited as proof I've been there. [6precious102]
The only other country I 've ever been to besides the USA is Canada, but when I go to the different states in the US or even different tourist places, I try to remember to buy a post card to take home, even if I don't send any out to anyone else. I have 2 Photo Albums with post cards in them that I have collected over the years. Some of them were sent to me from friends who ARE in other countries, which makes it even better. A friend also collects them and I try to get him one as well. He once told me that he can't see himself getting to any of these places, so having the postcards is his way of seeing these places, so I try to include him when I buy my cards so he also gets the new ones which I get. [idowrite72]
I treavel quite a bit. I do not bring souvenirs for myself but I buy my oldest daughter key-chains and my great grandaughter postcards. They both have quite a collection. In the past few years besides my travels in the USA & the UK I have been to Spain, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany so you can imagine what they have. [us2owls]
I never tried listening to the country's Folk Music before. Maybe it would be interesting... Hehe. Well for me, I like buying a Postcard that shows the country's beautiful scenery. I like collecting them and giving them out to friend's that would want them. [chunijole]
I'm quite fond of t-shirts and and key chains. i like the key chains more cause i can put them on my keys and take them every where i go and it reminds of what a fun time I had and I remember what I was doing that week when I bought it. [crysontherocks77]
My favorite souvenoirs is Christmas ornaments. I started colleciton Christmas ornaments whereever I visit. I have quite a few different Christmas ornaments from different areas I have visited. [sharlahodges]
When I travel I always look for the best product they are known for. Could be some hand made products and delicacies. I haven't travelled outside the country but I think if I will I would like to collect Stamps of the country. [angel_of_charm]
I get a local newspaper and read it all. (except comics) [General_Spacey]
usually when i travel the things i buy as souvenirs are fridge magnet, shot glass and t-shirts of the country i'm visiting happy [kevsgirlalways]
I have a very keen interest in maps of the country I visit, so I always bring a map home of the country or town plans and when I get home I put them up on the wall so it brings back fond memories everytime I look at it. Sometimes I like to bring back different coloured and shaped pebbles and stones from the beach. I have a lovely collection of stones from different countries in a display box. [wolfie34]