Trip Souvenirs….from the street.
Finding a trip souvenir that you actually like and want to keep should be important.
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1. The usual trip souvenirs.
How not to find the best trip souvenirs.
Every trip, I mean EVERY trip. You know what I’m talking about. No matter if you are in San Fransisco, Israel or Paris the street peddlers will try to get you to buy just about anything.
But if you are like me as you travel more and more you sadly notice that many of these peddlers are selling the SAME thing!!!!
2. The pressure sale.
I’ve been accosted in both Paris and Israel by people begging me to buy “Pashmina” scarves in plastic bags.
No offense to those scarves (or the people that buy them) but how is THAT going to remind me of my trip?
Why would I take up valuable suitcase space bringing them home when I could probably buy something very similar on Amazon once I get home?
3. Finding unique trip souvenirs. Art!
Early on I believe Ryan was the one who suggested instead of tchotchkes that we may never look at again we should look around for small street art. You may not have noticed them before, but like the scarf peddlers, they are everywhere!
We buy “cheap” art (I don’t think I have ever spent over $40) and are not only supporting a local artist (hopefully) we have something we like to hang on our wall.
4. How to make it work.
Our rules are pretty simple. It should be something that speaks to us, and something that fits in our suitcase.
That is why so many are less than the height x length of our suitcase and can be easily rolled up or places between cardboard if needed. Yes I have been known to “iron” art between towels once home if it didn’t fully survive the journey.
I then buy a simple black frame like these to give a cohesive look.
5. Our collection of souvenirs.
This wall is in our master bedroom and displays many of our finds. It has gotten a bit chaotic overtime, but until the wall is full, I will find a space for new acquisitions. It is amazing how a simple piece of art can take you instantly back to a place and memory.
I love looking at souvenirs from our first overseas trip with the kids. Read more about that trip here.
Life’s short. Travel Well…and souvenir with art!