The #1 Souvenir to Bring Home From Vacation

German Christmas Market

One of the questions I hear most often is: “What’s the best souvenir to bring home from a trip?” And the truth is—it’s different for everyone.

Some travelers have traditions:

• Magnets that cover their fridge with a patchwork of places.

• Coffee mugs that remind them of leisurely mornings.

• Snow globes or ornaments that bring travel memories back each holiday season.

• Local food, liquors, or spices to recreate flavors from abroad at home.

• Jewelry that tells a story each time it’s worn.

• And yes—even tattoos are becoming a modern way to carry travel memories forever.

  
  

Art spills onto the sidewalks of Paris

I have always loved to bring home a piece of local art. There’s something about finding a piece created by a local artist that captures the soul of a place. A painting of the Eiffel Tower done by a sidewalk artist in Paris, hand-carved wooden bowls from Africa, or Egyptian hieroglyphics displayed on papyrus—these treasures transport me right back to where I stood when I found them.

But no matter what you collect the #1 souvenir isn’t really an object at all—it’s the

memory behind it. That magnet isn’t just a magnet; it’s the morning you strolled through a seaside market. That tattoo isn’t just ink; it’s a permanent reminder of how a destination changed you.

The best souvenirs are the ones that spark a story every time someone asks, “Where did you get that?”

One of my most meaningful, recent souvenirs is a ring my husband bought me on our anniversary cruise. It’s more than jewelry—it’s a reminder of a moment, a celebration, and a destination all wrapped into one.

So whether your keepsakes fit in your pocket or hang on your wall, choose something that brings you back—not just to the place, but to the feeling. Because the most valuable souvenirs are the ones that remind us how it felt to be there.