Travel Souvenirs: 9 Creative Ways to Document Your Travel

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We all have made room for souvenirs in our suitcases after a trip. Often, I go souvenir shopping for an inexpensive trinket or memento. And occasionally I purchase something more substantial. Regardless, I look for creative ways to document my travel experiences. These purchases rekindle fond memories when we return home or are unable to travel.

9 Creative Ways to Document Your Travel

Souvenirs Shopping

There’s nothing better than getting some time away from reality and stimulating the mind, body, and spirit. Just got back from an amazing vacation? It was probably great. But with each day, the sensations and memories start to fade. However, you find yourself right where you were when you needed that vacation in the first place. And part of that experience is in the memories you create. There isn’t one thing we look for. I try to find souvenirs that are meaningful to me. And that’s why I love to go souvenir shopping when I travel.

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1. Shopping for Collections

Some people collect inexpensive trinkets like shot glasses, others collect Starbucks mugs, t-shirts, or spoons. Who else collects magnets and Christmas ornaments? Collections are usually small and inexpensive too. But I get transported every time I go to the fridge. I love reminiscing during the holidays.

DIY

Get really creative and make your own magnets, using one of your favorite pictures. I uploaded a picture to zazzle.com and they created their magnets. But there are also magnet making kits available at hobby shops.

2. Artwork

Not necessarily inexpensive trinkets, local artwork is a great souvenir. It doesn’t always have to be expensive. Our goal is to find something special just for us. One of the easiest things to transport is rolled paintings, sketches, and watercolors. They are great reminders of your travels that you can frame to suit any room in your home.

Home Decor

Again, make your own artwork and upload a picture to Walmart.com or any photo studio. Make sure you take pictures using the highest resolution to ensure you can plow them up without losing quality.

3. Wine

Not all countries produce wine and even fewer produce GOOD wine. But you’d be surprised to find that countries like Hungary, Indonesia, and Switzerland do make very good wine. But not enough or with the desire to export to the rest of the world. Rare wines offer a great opportunity to relive your trip or share your travel mementos with friends and family.

You can purchase it in the airport duty-free shops too. But make sure you know the airlines’ policy beforehand.

4. Spices

I really love bringing spices home from my trips. And I still have a stash of Indonesian curry from a trip I took a year ago. Seal it properly and make sure you research how to keep it fresh. Aromas trigger emotional responses that are vivid and strong. For this reason, inexpensive mementos like spices, coffee, and candy are amazing travel souvenirs.

5. Photo Books

Photos are traditional souvenirs. Take some pictures and put them in an album or better yet, upload them to make digital books using one of the numerous online services like Snapfish or Shutterfly.

A modern take is to purchase an electronic photo frame and upload your photos. This also makes a great gift for the grandparents.

6. Ticket, Attraction Stubs, and Coins

Create a shadow box with ticket and attraction stubs, coins, and small trinkets or mementos and hang on your wall. Get real creative and make t-shirts, blankets, or accent pillows using transfer fabrics.

7. Essential Oils and Perfumes

They say smells take you back faster than any other sense. I believe that wholeheartedly. The scent of curry, lavender, and jasmine take me back to Bali, Provence, and Thailand before. And this is before my mind realizes what’s happening.

8. Maps

Tracing your exact travel plans can be fun and visual too. Maps are great as a background to shadow boxes, but they are also a great memento on their own as DIY framed art, coasters, and puzzles as well.

9. Journals

There are a lot of great journals on the market. And you can collect your notes and itineraries, hold ticket stubs and pictures. Also, they make great resources if you’re a blogger as you write your articles. But they also help friends build their itineraries and share your travels.

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