So, you’ve just had a magical holiday and it’s time to return home. Aside from the treasured photos, you want a few presents and mementos to help you remember the great time you’ve had. But what to buy? And if you’re on a big trip, visiting several countries, you have limited space in your backpack and probably limited cash to spend.
I try and limit myself to collecting postcards. I have quite a large collection now. It may add up, but they generally cost 50c-$1 each, and they don’t take up much room. I used to buy it all: the clothes, the toys, the wooden figures and keyrings. I’ve learned not to.
But the souvenir industry is huge, a billion dollar monster with tempting shops everywhere you turn. For example, I had an encounter with yet another one today when I took a ferry over to Alcatraz Island, here in San Francisco.
Alcatraz was a prison for many decades, housing hardcore prisoners such as Al Capone. It was a windy, bleak, stony place, with narrow cells and little hope (nice views, though). After completing the audio tour, I coincidentally found myself in the souvenir shop. So, what was the building which formerly housed some of the country’s worst criminals selling?
DVDs. Posters of inmates and grim slogans. Alcatraz salt & pepper shakers. Magnets, playing cards, toys, t-shirts, badges, handcuffs, toy knives… and so on. Really. Salt & pepper shakers? Classy. A compulsory photo of me standing in front of an Alcatraz background was on offer for $22.
So when did this madness start? Check out An Ode To Souvenirs, a great piece about the history of souvenirs dating back to Homer’s Odyssey. It reminds us that we buy souvenirs to remember our trips (“we’re trying to buy back our memories”), but also as status symbols to show where we’ve been, and because human beings simply like collecting things. That’s how I feel about my pile of postcards, although I have no idea what to do with them all.
To be honest, my most sought-after souvenir would have to be a snowglobe (I’m a fan of Citizen Kane). They’re on sale everywhere, but I have yet to find a nice one. So I keep looking.
What do you buy when you travel, and what do you have on display at home?
Related Reading:
- Buying Tasteful Souvenirs
- Trash and Trinkets – souvenir buying guide from Australia’s The Age newspaper
July 9th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Haha, I like this article. I always have a hard time finding souvenirs that aren’t extremely tacky and lame. As you said, I think the postcard is always a good choice, and it’s cool to have postcards of all your adventures at home. Aside from postcards, I like to buy local or indigenous art pieces from the places I visit. But again, it is often hard to find art that isn’t made specifically for tourists (which in my mind also makes it pretty tacky), and it can be expensive…
July 9th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Hi Rob. I’ve noticed that some places (like the Museum of Modern Art) have reasonable websites with art you can buy online and have shipped, which would save carrying things, but it costs more and they don’t have as big a selection as the physical store. Still, good to have the option I guess.
July 9th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
Our family has a tradition of buying a shot glass from where ever we go. We have a large collection now. They do not take up much room and come in handy at parties, especially as conversation starters. And not to sound too nerdy but we also collect pencils and actually use them. This souvenir reminds us of where we have been and when we are done using it we just simply throw it away. Does not take up much space and is useful. I am not a big fan of the T-Shirt unless it is from someplace unusual such as the Hardrock Cafe in Instanbul or something like that. I would prefer something that not everyone gets their hands on.
July 11th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Shot glasses is a cool idea. And yeah, it’s good to buy something you’ll actually use.
T-Shirts: If I see one more ‘I Heart NY’ t-shirt…!
November 5th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I’ve meant to write about something like this on one of my blogs and you have given me an idea. Cheers.
April 11th, 2011 at 4:26 am
Your blog is so informative keep up the good work!!!!.
May 27th, 2011 at 4:53 am
I as well as my pals came looking through the good tips and tricks from your web blog and so all of the sudden I got a terrible feeling I never thanked the web site owner for those secrets. Most of the men were definitely for that reason warmed to read through them and have in effect in truth been using those things. Appreciation for really being quite helpful as well as for going for varieties of magnificent subject areas millions of individuals are really desperate to understand about. Our honest regret for not expressing appreciation to you sooner.
February 8th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
You can find some fascinating points in time in this write-up but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Superior post , thanks and we want much more! Added to FeedBurner as well