Normally when I go on a trip, I come home with food. And by food I mean packages of tea, cookies, candies, sauces and whatever else I tried while on my trip that I couldn’t get enough of.
Yada yada yada..
Just before I was set to leave NYC, I popped over to Mangia and bought a few of their incredibly delicious and homemade tasting cookies to bring home to share with the HH.
While I was there though, I also bought a set of 4 mugs from Butterfield Market. Because seriously, how could I go home without those? 😉 Plain white mugs with my name all over them. I was meant to find them!
But normally, I usually just bring back edible stuff. Which made me wonder… Is that kind of weird? Who goes on vacation and brings back food practically 100% of the time?
Is there a “thing” that most people bring back {or seek out} when they travel that I don’t know about? My husband never brings back anything. Ever. Not even the extra bar of hotel soap.
So I’m curious… What is something you always seem to bring home when you travel? What is the best souvenir you’ve brought home from a trip? {I think the mugs might be my best find yet!}
Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Kim says
I collect Christmas ornaments so an ornament from that city is usually my souvenir.
Carrie says
I regret not starting to buy christmas ornaments when we travel. We have started to buy a few. Often I’ll get a Keychain and turn it into an ornament (cheaper and smaller, we do backpacks for international travel).
We buy patches. I have a giant pile of then. I haven’t decided what we’ll do with them someday. We have thought about sewing them into curtains or our truck camper. Maybe making a quilt for them. Who knows. It’s fun to pick one out that represents what we did in that place (lots of National Parks). They don’t take up much room and are inexpensive.
For International travel we also get a reusable shopping bag. We use it for groceries while we are over there, they pack up small, and are useful when we get home.
Lauea says
My son in law started collecting patches for my daughter from their travels. Then I sewed them onto a beautiful Pendleton wool blanket.
They display it on a wooden ladder and one day may hang on the wall. Still collecting patches..
Sarah says
We do the same thing. But some places dont have ornaments so I get decals and turn them into an ornament. My little christmas each year is covered with ornaments and decals from our travels. My kids love looking at it each year and see the old places we have been and forgot about.
Mary says
That is what we do too! And then, every year when I trim the tree, I remember great places we went
Erin says
I do too!
DebW says
Those mugs are PERFECT!
I would bet the answers depend widely on the place visited, if you bring back gifts for others or just things for yourself, and also if you have a budget in your travel funds for that category of spending.
Being empty nesters who do not travel at all, (as we’ve now relocated [thank you remote work] to where we wanted to be for retirement and have animals) I’m looking forward to reading the comments on this post. 🙂
Pam F. says
Definitely food! And often a reusable grocery bag.
Joely says
Same here!
Carrie says
Food is our standard souvenir for ourselves and as gifts. When I graduated my aunt had just returned from Italy and gifted me a portion of Parmesan cheese she had brought back and it was the most unique and loved gift ever! Once a year, on a family trip, we will also pick out an ornament for our Christmas tree. Any other souvenirs will be functional and usually very random things already on my to buy list… i.e. girls weekend in Waco, found USA bread pans on clearance as mine were rusting and needed to be replaced, smile every time I bake with them.
BethC. says
I Always get food. Just got back from Australia and New Zealand. I brought back Whittaker’s chocolate from NZ and the “better’ Cadbury from Australia. Also brought back food sauce pouches (just add meat and a veggie) and a couple of random boxes of Uncle Ben’s rice because they had flavors I have not seen in the US-Peru-Peri and Lemongrass.
Julie V says
I like to visit grocery stores in areas I visit and bring back foods I cannot get in my local area. My aunt did this also. I found white barbeque sauce on the Smokies trip. Goetta and new ways to serve chili while visiting Ohio. On the West Coast, I like to visit Asian or ethnic groceries. Elk jerky and huckleberry syrup on the Yellowstone trip. Green Chilies and other chilies when visiting Grand Canyon and Southwest. Sometimes it’s pastries or cookies to extend the experience a few more days once home. I remember my aunt bringing fois gras from Europe.. unusual flavorings for beverages from France. She would visit Reno or Vegas and bring back a lot of the food from her food credit as she would order it to go. In San Francisco Chinatown, she would always purchase steamed and baked barbecue buns to come home with. I always feel like the trip is extended a bit or more of the vacation is enjoyed later.
Kim says
I have also started getting Christmas ornaments on our travels. If I get gifts for others, it is always food. No one in my life needs more stuff, but it is always fun to try a new food that you can’t get at home.
Christa says
Best souvenir ever was a feather from one of the ravens at the Tower of London—I visit every trip, and one time I got lucky! Otherwise I always buy tea towels and candy in England, paprika and palinka in Hungary.
Meg C says
Local art! I love to bring back art from where we’ve been visiting. Sometimes, only we know that it’s associated with a particular trip but it always represents something about our trip to ourselves.
I also bring back food a lot of times!
Mary G says
In general, I also bring back some foods specific to an area. On a recent trip to Germany, it was chocolate, cookies, and some jams. Years ago, when we took a trip to New Mexico, I bought a pair of earrings with turquoise and other stones that were unique to the area. I find the foods in different countries or regions fascinating–what people eat, how the food is packaged, etc.
Sue says
Three of our four adult children live in countries other than the USA. When we visit them we try to find a watercolor picture of some place we’ve seen on that trip – not expensive originals but something to remind us of their lives there. We have a “travel wall” where the pictures all hang in our home. Great memories and great conversation starters with visitors. (The families come to us more often than we go to them, so the wall isn’t quite full yet.)
Mona McGinnis says
An apron is my go-to souvenir.
Torry says
Mona, this made me smile, as I am currently making aprons for my granddaughter!
Stacie says
Mostly something handmade like a carved little animal, jewelry, table runner, etc. Something I can use and enjoy. I never buy mass produced made over seas trinkets with the local name though.
Jeanine says
When we go to a National Park…it bothers me to no end to see made in China on the tag or bottom of the item. Why would I want that? Made in USA or locally is the way to go. Sometimes I bring back a pin for my backpack.
Lesley says
Magnets! Especially the flat, slim kind. We add them to our garage fridge and it’s a fun way to remember all the trips. And relatively inexpensive and a non-issue in terms of packing.
And I agree with the local grocery bag, even if it’s just a neat paper handle bag.
Lana says
We always try to hit a thrift store out of town because they are vastly different than home. We have lots of treasures that remind us of trips.
Ashley B says
I sometimes buy a magnet or a shirt. I try not to go crazy because we just have so much stuff. I do enjoy edible gifts especially ones that are local or special to the area.
suzanne says
My HH brings back tees. I usually bring back sea shells or maybe textiles. I did bring back a tin lamp from Mexico about 25 years ago and it still sits on my entry table. Thank goodness for checked bags. Those mugs are perfect.
Teresa M says
My sister still chides me for buying an extra suitcase to haul back souvenirs from our trip to Ireland. This after me telling her to pack light! Too much I tell ya! Going to Europe this fall and taking my own advice.
Marilyn Schmuker says
I found your blog recently. I just had to comment….
I try to find a yarn store and buy yarn. I also look for a good size rock if we are traveling by car. It goes in our rock garden. I never considered bringing home food, lol.
Lee says
My only souvenirs are my photos.
Honeybee says
Food! But one time staying at the Royal Hawaiian I fell in love with the pink robes in the room. My HH surprised me with one to take home. I wore it till it had holes.
Emily says
My husband and I collect event posters and similar art we can frame. We lucked into a wonderful one for free from a hotel in Italy. Traveling with them sometimes means accepting some creases but it’s worth it for the memories. In the interest of space I’ve started stacking same size posters in one frame and rotating which one you can see in front.
Sue in SoCal says
I always buy yarn. If I knit a scarf or socks with it I’m always reminded of where I bought it.
Cheryl says
My husband will buy a mug from places, me usually nothing.
Dianna says
I always bring back postcards. Easy to pack and makes for great artwork!
Christine Hagen says
We bring back food and an ornament.
Ann Burgess says
Books and books and more books! Yes, it does sometimes bring me perilously close to the weight limit but some books on local nature are almost impossible to find at home. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland has an amazing bookstore.
Cecelia says
Starting with our honeymoon to Yellowstone and Glacier in 2020, we buy mugs or t-shirts. Sometimes a magnet. This year we bought a poster at Silver Springs State Park and it’s in my 3 year olds room. He loves to look at the glass bottom boats because we rode on one.
Lynne says
Art from a local artist!
SueD says
Food, fabric, and tea towels. Though I may not get any more tea towels…too much temptation for my puppies.
Pat Marino says
I started bringing home canvas tote bags with the city’s name on them from my travels. They always come in handy as beach bags, shopping totes, and can be used instead of a purse on the flight back home. And tee shirts. Love those mugs!!!
Heather in Nevada says
Usually a pin. I have a shadow box I add them to.
Sometimes fabric or special food to share.
When I got to go to Italy, I brought home a small purse. The most expensive purse I own, but I smile whenever I get to use it.
JoAnn Moran says
I always bring back food in my suitcase. Sometimes it’s a problem. I always wanna re-create the wonderful things. I ate on vacation plus a lot of it. I can’t get anywhere else. My husband always laughs that my suitcase is full of food. On occasion I have also bought a cookbook. I always feel like the food in a place tells a lot about the culture and the people and reminds me of the great time I’ve had. You are not alone Mavis
Chris says
Lately, I pick up local honey. We don’t travel much, but it’s my go to. Now, one of my sons started picking it up when he travels and gives it to me for Christmas. I love that!
Emily says
Hi there,
Not sure what part of Maine you are in, but we are headed to the Camden/Rockport area in May. Do you have any suggestions for us in that part of Maine? We like shopping in local spots, museums, food, etc. Thanks so much!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Emily, here are my favorite spots: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/things-to-do-and-places-to-eat-between-portland-and-camden-maine/
Emily Grant says
Thank you so much!
Zadu says
We will bring home edibles; however, my wife is from Eastern Europe and the stuff we bring home is the stuff she was able to eat on a routine basis before she came to the States with me. We also lived in Germany for a while and bring home sweets that the kids used to eat when we lived there (they’re adults now but still love the stuff). It’s nice to only pack a few things in the suitcase for the trip to Europe and have it full coming home!
Mel says
Not something I bought, but my father traveled all over the world for work when I was a kid. He always bought me a doll, so I have a collection of dolls from all over the world.
Torry says
I collect angels, so I always look for a new and different one. I also try to go to a fabric store and look for something new to me. I look for cookie cutters, but it is hard to find anything new or different.
I like to buy gifts for those I love, too. My mother collected salt and pepper shakers, so it is bitter sweet to see those now that she is gone.
Gigi says
Food and honey. I’m a beekeeper and I like trying all the different flavors of honey. Occasionally something else, but it has to be useful, like a spoon rest in white and blue from Amsterdam.
Sharon L Thompson says
We bring home tank tops. We wear them daily, even in winter.
Laura says
I always bring home food. Teas, chocolate, biscuits. I try and find one tea towel and one ornament too.
Brianna says
I usually purchase two things….tea and chocolate. I seek out a tea house or shop and ask for the tea that represents the area or region. I got a wonderful one last summer from the Bavarian region of Germany and every time I make it, it reminds me of our trip. I also have a list of chocolatiers or similar stores before I go and I buy myself two boxes of chocolates, chocolatiers choice. I usually eat the first one while I am vacationing, so if I really like a particular chocolate I can go back and get more. The second box I enjoy after I return home. I feel chocolate is an art and unique to areas and the flavors within can be interesting, like basil or lavender.
Eileen J Stewart says
I travel very lightly and only bring back something that will enhance the home here. Knick-knacks get dusty. I’m not into cleaning! However, I backpacked across Europe when I was 18, and I did bring home coins from every country I visited. This was before the European Union was formed and the Euro became the coin of the realm. It’s a great way to revisit those countries.
My favorite bring back, however, was a beer mug from my favorite pub when I lived in London.
Laurie says
Lately I have been picking up herbal tea on international trips. This does cause a bit of a problem when I fall in love and then can’t get them in the US lol. I love visiting grocery stores and picking up useful things- in Sweden I always buy the cleaning cloths for example. Always chocolate and in Scandinavia black licorice! After a trip to Germany I got stopped in the airport by security who asked me if I had any food. I said my entire backpack was filled with gummy bears and chocolate
Stacey says
My favorite souvenirs are things I will use. I’m a t-shirts and sweatpants gal and love to pick up a t-shirt, but only if I see one that I really like and will wear it regularly. Other than that, a simple snapshot to spark the memory is enough. I think buying food that you enjoyed on your trip and can continue to enjoy when you get home is a great idea.