Uncommon Souvenir Ideas

If you're making travel plans and begin worrying about your budget, simply cross souvenirs off the list. Tourists often pass by special mementos from their vacation because they are in search of the nearest gift shop. Uncommon souvenirs are often more cherished than the typical screen printed T-shirts and ink pens sold at souvenir shops.

Drinking in the Memories
Once you've arrived at your vacation destination, ask the local people what beverage is popular in the region. If the community is known for fabulous vineyards and a robust merlot or the brew pub down the street has the best kept secret ale recipe around, try some. Make it a point to taste the local beverages and save the bottle as a souvenir. After a through washing, consider filling the bottle with a candle and use it as a decoration in an informal den or home bar.

Dinner and a Souvenir
After enjoying lunch at a seaside cafe or ski lodge bar and grill, take a peek at the empty tables around you. Often small restaurants and taverns create custom disposable paper placemats or drink coasters. These one-time-use items usually highlight the history of the local community, glorify the story of the restaurant's evolution or offer scenic native artwork. Ask a server if you may take a clean placemat or drink coaster with you to later frame as a piece of souvenir artwork. If there are several styles, ask for a clean set to create a wall collage.

A Change of Pace
If your travels take you overseas, remember to bring home a pocketful of change. The currency of the country you've visited makes a great conversation piece as well as souvenir. When time allows, ladies may opt to have a bracelet, necklace or brooch made from the most ornate of coins. Also consider having a few coins custom framed along side one of your best snapshots for a personalized souvenir.

Scrapbook Souvenirs
Planning ahead for scrapbook-worthy vacation items is easy. Save every receipt, ticket stub or mass transportation punch card. These tiny souvenirs are a great addition to a scrapbook page highlighting your time at a museum, ride on a commuter train or dinner at a famous restaurant. Simply scrap them next to photos from the vacation to tell the complete story and add a date to the trip. Twenty years from now you'll marvel not only at your out-of-date hairstyle, but at the low cost of entertainment years ago.

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