How to Find Useful and Memorable Souvenirs on Your Summer Vacations

Great! Have fun!

One of the fun parts of any vacation is the hunt for souvenirs. But what do we usually buy? Key chains, refrigerator magnets and other quickly forgotten-about, useless nick-knacks! Many times we will look around and pick up something that looks cute or interesting and make that our souvenir... but after you get home and show it off, it gets set somewhere and forgotten...as does the memory

So this summer, why not take control of the souvenir excursions and buy things that hold the memory of your favorite escapes in life? A souvenir that will not only be around to remind you of your wonderful holiday on a daily basis, but have a purpose, a use...a reason to be brought home!

So here are a few thoughts and ideas for you to keep in mind for your souvenir hunts..

Big gulp cups/bottles - you know, the 32oz plastic cup/bottles with the screw-on lids and long straws. I got one on my last visit to Sea World and every time I use it and I see Shamu there and remember that wonderful day with my grand children!

Purses, makeup bags, wallets, tote bags. Just think, that beautiful, silky makeup bag with the name and image of that amazing city you went to last summer carries your makeup..that you use every day! Carry a purse that has that wonderful aroma of leather that will make you remember that amazing city you visited. A Kindle carry case or a laptop satchel - you have to carry them in something.. why not carry them in your memories!

Stationery/cards - "snail mail" isn't that popular these days, but that is all the more reason to pick up some stationery or note cards from your favorite spot. Imagen the smile and surprise on your friend's face when they open a letter from you on stationery from New York City or Tombstone, Arizona or at Christmas time with a card that says "Merry Christmas from Mount Rushmore". What a fun way to share your memories!

A Calendar for next year - Summer is when they start coming out with next year's calendars so take a look and find one that has beautiful, full color pictures of the places you went to see while in that city. You'll remember this years vacation all through next year!

Dishes - all kinds! Souvenir stores and other speciality stores in town, often have dishes, plates, cups/saucers, tea pots, etc.. with the image of the town, event or location that you are visiting. How memorable to sit down to dinner from time to time and remember that wonderful day you spent in San Diego
or Memphis! Or pour your morning tea from the tea pot you got in England!

Pool/Beach towels - You need one anyway... so why not take your memories to the pool or beach! Others will see it and ask you, "where'd you get that?" and you can recant your vacation with your friends or new acquaintances.

Shot glasses - These cute little 2-3 inch tall glasses with the name of the place you are at are usable and being visible lets you reminisce whenever you see them. What do you use them for other than mixing alcoholic drinks? Keep some on your dresser to hold your necklaces and earrings. Put them in the bathroom/kitchen sinks to hold the rings you take off when you wash your hands. A tube of lipstick fits just fine in one so that you can easily find it and it won't roll away.

Cookie jar - yep... while you are sneaking that cookie.. you can also sneak a moment of a memory of that wonderful day you spent at....

Clothing - any kind you like! Outerwear or underwear...tank top or sweater... get an item with the logo of the state you are in or an image of the event you are at. My daughter still has the jacket she bought when she was at
NASA/Kennedy Space Center in Florida when she was 13. To small now, but she is saving it for her daughter!

Coffee mugs - A coffee mug from every place you visit... and you have a wonderful memory every morning with your first (second, third...) cups of coffee. Every day a memory! Other than holding your coffee, mugs hold crayons, pens and pencils, coin change, candy, marbles! So many little items in that coffee mug and a memory every time you see and use it.

JewelryRings, necklaces, hair accessories, belts...you wear these items daily anyway...why not wear them with a memory!

Wherever you are, wherever you go, you are sure to want to remember it. Whether a historical town, a natural or man-made creation, museum or just where you saw the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen...a souvenir is the best way to capture a memory for a long, long time... and on a daily basis.