When I was a teenager, my parents went on a trip to Ireland and returned home with the most thoughtful souvenir gifts. Among them was a European edition of the latest Harry Potter book for me and a gorgeous wool-knit fisherman’s sweater for my sister. I’m sure they didn’t realize it at the time, but their sincere thoughtfulness and the personalization of each present served as a masterclass on giving great souvenir gifts, and I was taking notes.
Unfortunately, buying souvenir gifts can be something of an afterthought for a lot of travelers. Of course, you are in no way obligated to buy presents for anyone, ever, and it truly is the thought that counts.
If you do want to spoil your loved ones back home with unique mementos from your travels rather than buying a bunch of last-minute gifts from an airport shop, read on to learn what the experts say on how to give great souvenir gifts.
What makes a good souvenir gift?
A good souvenir gift is one “that holds personal meaning or significance to the individual receiving it,” says the founder of Happy Family Blog, Cristy Stewart-Harfmann. While you're traveling, keep an eye out for crafts, artwork, or locally made products that remind you of the tastes, style, and interests of special people you'd like to get souvenir gifts for.
You can also consider the phase of life your gift recipients are in, according to Poppy Gifting founders Willa Callahan and Peggy O’Brien. This can give you a better guideline for the types of items you’re looking for and helps ensure that the gift makes sense for the recipient.
“At Poppy, we like to think about souvenirs that are fitting to the recipient’s needs or an upcoming milestone,” Callahan and O’Brien explain. “Say you’re traveling to Ireland, and you have a daughter expecting her first baby. You might consider an Irish wool baby blanket or knit cap. Whether it's Brazilian coffee, a woven bowl from Kenya, or an Italian leather wallet, [the goal is to gift loved ones something they will] frequently use.”
However, if you're nearing the end of your vacation and you still haven't found the right souvenir gift, it may be better to get nothing at all than to buy a subpar gift just to say you bought something. A bad souvenir gift “holds no meaning to the recipient, is clearly mass-marketed, low-quality, easily disposable, or provides little value or long-lasting enjoyment,” says Stewart-Hoffman.
Should you buy consumable souvenirs?
If your recipient enjoys foodie gifts, then bringing back a box of chocolate, candy, or bottle of wine that's specific to the region you've visited can be an excellent souvenir gift. But there are some best practices to follow.
Before you buy anything, make sure the bakery or shop you're purchasing from is reputable — this can be as simple as reading their reviews online. Also, check the item’s “best by” date and temperature requirements.
“For wine, liquor, produce, and meat, be sure you’re able to travel with these items or inquire about the vendor’s direct shipping capabilities,” say Callahan and O’Brien.
Not all food items are permitted when traveling internationally, so Stewart-Harfmann strongly advises checking for any customs or import regulations regarding food items or beverages.
Pack your suitcase accordingly
If you're planning to buy souvenir gifts on your vacation, you'll need to sacrifice a little suitcase space to do so. Make sure you leave extra room in your luggage when you pack for your trip.
You can also stash a small duffel or shoulder bag in your suitcase, because “whether you’ve shopped for personal items or gifts for loved ones at home, you’ll likely need extra space,” say Callahan and O’Brien.
Extra storage can also come in handy if you’re traveling with fragile or delicate items, as you'll want to make sure they're securely wrapped. You can use clothing or padded materials to prevent breakage during transportation, suggests Stewart-Harfmann.
