Approximately 83% of travelers splurge on their travel destination and a vast majority also spend on paid attractions, hotels, and the length of their trip. There is a smaller but still significant percentage (37%), however, that spend on one thing whose value many others fail to fully comprehend—memorabilia. A Murano Glass vase from Venice, a wooden sculpture from Baguio (in the Philippines), or a painted ceramic paint from Granada (Spain). All these items take memorabilia beyond the tacky fridge magnet, making our travels part of our daily lives and reminding travelers of the precious (and all too little) time they have to discover the world with loved ones.
Choosing Pieces Made with Tradition
Most travelers recall specific destinations with fondness. These are the spots they choose to travel to again and again, owing to their buzzing city appeal, majestic natural landscapes, or their connection to friends and beautiful memories. To take home the “good vibes” you experience in these parts of the world, choose items that represent the very best of their tradition. Choose non-expendable items like ceramics, metal, and glass pieces instead of perishable items like food. Go beyond what you might find at a typical souvenir shop and look for pieces that show off artistry, talent, and craftsmanship and steer clear of stereotypical souvenirs that say little about the people, history, and culture of the lands you visit.
Souvenirs that Are Investment-Worthy
Keepsakes needn’t be low-cost and house-centred. If, for instance, you enjoy finding unique jewelry pieces when traveling, you can build a travel inspired jewelry collection that represents all special places you have visited. In order to build a valuable collection, it pays to have a mix of high-end and fashion pieces that have a special tie to the place you are visiting. If you are visiting Tanzania or Kenya, for instance, then getting your hands on a beautiful Tanzanite or Emerald is key. If you are visiting India, then at least one hand-crafted gold designs is a must. However, even if you have a small budget for jewelry, you can still find amazing pieces that represent local artistry. Think the splendid silver Celtic jewelry of Ireland, the vivid beaded necklaces of the Maasai in Kenya, or the pretty enameled, engraved, or filigree pieces from Morocco.
Presenting Your Collection at Home
Your home should ideally be filled with pieces you have collected during your travels, to lend your interiors warmth, meaning, and life. Vases, small decorative pieces, fabrics, and even jewelry can all be displayed so that you are reminded of your adventures in your daily life. Travel-inspired interiors fit right in with the current interior design trend called ‘maximalism’. This trend embraces different patterns, textures, and colors, all thrown in together without following the traditional (and, many would say, stifling) design rules.
When travelling the world, make sure you bring back at least one magical piece from your chosen destinations. Try to opt for authentic, artisanal pieces that show off the creativity of their creators. If you collect jewelry, opt for local gemstones or pieces made by hand. Finally, remember to take home a few decorative pieces so your home can take you back to the joy of travel every day of your life.