Unique Souvenirs Of Your Trip

By Shanda Stefanson
[Travel]
Want to have something truly unique to remind you of your travels?  Shanda Stefanson shares a few original ideas.
We’ve all seen the souvenir snow globes, ceramic replicas of churches and t-shirts emblazoned with city names and cheesy pictures, but for those of us who want something a little more personal and less gaudy, there are other options for mementos to remember your trip by.  Here are some ideas for souvenirs that will have people asking, “Where did you get that?”  They also won’t break your travel budget.
 
Look to Nature
 
Things from the landscape of the places you visit are a great reminder of the beauty you have soaked in.  Pick a flower and press it in your travel guide.  Make sure customs will allow you to bring it back home.  Usually if it’s just one flower it’s not a problem, but it does depend on where you’re coming from and where you’re going.

I have a seashell collection that spans continents.  You could gather stones, sand and water from your favourite beach in a bottle.  I have red and black stones from a volcanic island in Greece, red sand from Prince Edward Island and similar souvenirs from a few other places that look quite amazing together up on a shelf.  I just used coke bottles, iced tea bottles, whatever I happened to have with me.  Even so, they are a great little conversation piece and when I look at them I’m reminded of the sunset on the beach, the waves, the wind.  There is no end to the little treasures you can collect if you just look around you.  Something you gather yourself will remind you of your travels much more than some mass-produced piece of merchandise.
 
Support Local Artists
 
Get out of the museum gift shop and find some real live artists.  All countries have traditional crafts and markets that showcase them.  Buy the real thing instead of a gift-shop version.  Cities and countries known for their historical art will no doubt have attracted scores of modern artists, all eager to sell you their work.  Whether it’s a quick portrait sketched on a street corner, a simple watercolour or a carving, little pieces of art will give a unique touch to your décor once you get home.  Much more so than that print of the Mona Lisa you were eyeing.  Feel free to splurge and find a gallery that sells local art.  Most will be more than happy to help you ship it home.  You might have to get off the beaten path to find them, but the adventure will come back every time you see your work of art hanging on the wall.
 
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