Cool Things to Collect on Vacations: Free to Fabulous!

Vacations can be so rewarding and offer a lifetime of memories. But all too often, the visual reminders of these trips are left to the dim pages of a photo album, shelved for a rare view. It is so important to remember the good times, to encourage us day to day. In addition, our mind has a way of clinging to bad times all too often. To be visually reminded of the best moments can be refreshing to our own self esteem and encouraging to the hearts in our home.

Over the years, I have seen some pretty cool ideas that I wish I had thought of or instituted much sooner. Not just reminders but absolute talking pieces that allow you to share and relive the greatest times. The times where our souls soar without the pressures of daily living: our vacations. Hey, it is never too late to start something good. So get busy collecting with these fun ideas and pass tales and tradition on for generations.

Soap Jar

Collecting soap is one of the easiest things to gather, mainly because it is free in most hotels. Soap is also practical, because who says you have to save each and every one for display. Heck, use and enjoy them! Also, they are easy to share them with overnight guests that visit - a perfect 3-use size. It is so cute to have big glass jar full of soaps from around the world. And it is a total talk piece at a dinner party when people use the restroom and see where you have been. And when friends and family go on vacation, remind them to bring you a bar if there is a neat one! Some fine hotels have great soap.

Sands if Time

If you travel often to the beach, or even to different parts of the world, get a sand sample. 4 oz will do just fine. One of the neatest things I saw in a home once was the display of sands they had from around the world. Sand is not just sand, in some parts of the world, it is rocky, or glistens; it's white, or even red! The owner of the display I saw had small glass jars, all the same size with corked tops. They had engraved plates on each jar that said where the sand/dirt was from. It was just neat in a geology sort of way.

Smile at the Tile

Touring a home once, I noticed a row of kitchen tile all around the kitchen that didn't match the other tile in the kitchen. It was well done, very artful. When I asked about the unique tiles, the tour guide said that the owner collected tiles. Everywhere they visited in town, or out that sold unique tiles, they would pick one up. When they had the house made, they incorporated tiles through the years. Some were from old houses, some where from a patio they used to love, some were from an old stadium that got torn down that held great memory for a sport team they loved. But most were from around the globe! We all may not be able to afford that grand scheme, but tiles can be put into many forms of art, furniture, walls, bathrooms etc. I loved that idea.

Christmas Ornaments and Little Spoons

Don't skip this! There may be more in store than you think. Though more generic, I would be remiss not to say them. I think the ornament thing is pretty obvious, for those who put up the pine tree every year. As the kids decorate, they are reminded of where they have been. Plus, the holiday is once a year...which guarantees a memory visit. I have photo albums that haven't seen the light of day in 10 years! So, it's definitely worthy and keeps your tree interesting.

We've all seen the mini spoons in gas stations and truck stops all over this great nation. But have you ever considered picking one up? Me? No. Until, I had twins. My twins love little spoons, even at age eight; they still love baby spoons for things like ice cream and slushiest. They are all so different and the girls have their favorites. It also sparks conversations about the places we have been, educational little memory jogs. So, we started collecting them for practical purposes.

What I didn't expect was that my husband and I started using them for our coffee because of their perfect little size. When we have company and break out the coffee, we have a little creamer cup that holds all these crazy spoons. People love to look at them and ask about where we got them. It's just fun. And honestly, I look forward to a long crazy collection to share with my grandkids one day when they come over and want ice cream!

Caution: Not all little spoons are fit for eating. Read the label, some are designed to be collected only.

Art Museum

No matter what city I visit, I make it a point to go to the art museum. The main reason is the gift shop! Art museums have the coolest gift shops with things that may not be able to be found anywhere else in the world. (Some even have online stores that I will visit for unique gifts later.) My husband and I love to collect things for our home from art museums because then, we get to pass it all the time on our walls, or on a shelf. "Where did you get that?" People will ask...and it starts a great discussion about cities and places for us both to share.

The final thing I love about collecting unique things that make me happy is sharing the love of it with my children. Children learn what they live, for sure and what better way to live than to be reminded of all the fun things we have done together!