How to Buy Great Souvenirs

We’ve all received souvenirs from friends and family members who return from their great vacations that honestly make us wish they’d forgotten to bring us anything at all.

• How to Buy Great Souvenirs?

Here are some ideas for original wooden souvenirs.

Sometimes, you’d prefer that they’d actually bought something that says, “My friend went to [insert awesome destination here]and all I got was this stupid [insert lame souvenir here]” because at least that would be honest.

I mean, how many trinkets can you scatter around the house? And do you really need that many key chains?

So how do you avoid that dreaded moment when you give someone their gift and you’re waiting to see if they are feigning excitement or if they are truly excited?

• Narrow down your list, but don’t feel caged in by it.

You don’t have to bring home a present for everyone you know.

Narrow it down to the people you really want to buy something for. And you don’t have to stick to that list exclusively.

If someone didn’t “make the cut,” but you see a gift you know they would love, then go for it. And if someone did make the list but you couldn’t find anything for them, that’s fine too.

Most people are not going to assume you’re bringing something home for them, so don’t worry about offending someone.

• Think about their interests, then combine practicality and aesthetic value.

Souvenirs have the most meaning when they actually take the recipient’s interests into account.

Does your best friend love to cook? Bring her back a potholder or other kitchen accessory. Is your cousin a big wine-drinker? Scour the local craft fairs and street markets for a unique hand-painted or hand-carved wine bottle holder.

If you can find something the recipient will actually use, you’re on the right track. Bottle openers, serving trays, coasters, photo frames and vases all come to mind.

There are also the standbys of shot glasses and coffee mugs, but they can sometimes get a little old and seem generic unless you know the person collects those items.

• Make sure the gift is unique or representative of the culture or location.

This doesn’t mean the item has to have the name of the country or city emblazoned across it. (Although my best friend did love her potholder with sea turtles on it that said “Jamaica.”)

It could be something as simple as bringing back a food or drink that the place is known for, such as Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee or jerk spices. Or it can be more along the lines of a piece of Australian art.

For the really special ones, maybe invest in a piece of jewelry with a gem or stone that is found in the region. (I know my mom loved her Australian opal necklace!)

Regardless, whatever you pick should be representative of the place in some way, whether stated outright or just in terms of a craft the country is known for.

• Would you want it for yourself?

A good test of what would make a good souvenir for someone else is to think of the souvenirs you have received and liked the most.

Maybe you are sick of getting pens from every city your friends visit, but you absolutely adore that notebook with gorgeous photo of Venice on the cover. You’ve never worn that T-shirt from Cancun, but you smile every time you look at the custom-designed, handmade photo frame from London.

Would you like receiving the gift you’re thinking of buying? If not, maybe it’s time to reconsider.

gogirlguides.com