Souvenir ideas?

[mistyinca]

The sand thread prompted me to start this one.

 

On my last cruise, we went to Cabo and Ensenada, and I came home with practically nothing for souvenirs.

 

I'm one of those that hates to pick up a cheesy made-in-China (unless I was visiting China, which I never have) "fake" souvenir. I want something that truly reflects the place I'm visiting.

 

So, with that said, what do YOU like to bring home for a souvenir?

[crusinpsychRN]

I get a picture frame and put a picture of us leaving in it. I now have a collection of them from all over.

[Jrabbit128]

Why don't you do a picture souvenir. Take pictures of some cheesy things you find (we have pictures of us in some HORRIBLE hats and shirts) at the stores and when you get home, put them in a digital frame. Put in all the pictures, of the trip as well as the funny ones, in the frame and put it on shuffle. You can see a beautiful picture and then the next one will be of something really funny.

[cusyl]

I collect refrigerator magnents and local art. I have quite a collection.:D

[Grayce]

We always buy a Christmas ornament.

[navybaby1113]

I collect shot glasses. When we were in Nassau we bought a picture album made out of leaves that we gave to my fiance's mother. She loved it!

[Cotton]

I look for unique wind chimes and mobiles. I have wind chimes outside, and mobiles inside. All I have to do is look at each one and remember exactly where I was - enjoying my vacation. :) I also bring some back for family/friends at times.

[elsplace2]

I buy a picture frame (or photo album) with the name of the island/place we are visiting. Then pick my favorite vacation shot to put in it. I always pick up a shot glass for my son as well.

[Frick_&_Frack]

While I collect magnets/thimbles/salt & pepper shakers, one of the things I do enjoy is finding out what is made locally (prior to leaving) and trying to find that. In Costa Rica, I found a local artist that paints on bird feathers (cruise ships, other designs) and they are framed. Other times it's hand carved bowls or boxes. This way, not only do I have beautiful reminders, but also something made by someone "local". :)

[Texaswinediva]

I try to always buy a picture frame or a photo album. I have a photo

album of every cruise and overseas vacation I have been on.

I always try to buy a charm for my charm bracelet too.

And I have at times bought refridgerator magnets.

[mariemorgan]

Mine is probably made in China.. but I college Magnets and Tshirts from each place I've been.

[mistyinca]

I'm loving all the ideas! Keep them coming. I like the idea of the painted feathers and the windchimes. :)

[MamaParrotHead]

We do Christmas tree ornaments as well. Although I'm liking the idea of the picture frames...:)

[traci28]

I have found some cute, locally made, picture albums with the names of the places on them. That way I have a collection of vacation pictures... not just one in a frame.

[telli01]

We do the same thing; do our research before and find stuff that is made there or something that they are famous for. We also have a friend who has a "rock garden" and we bring back a rock for her in each place (she labels the bottom of them so she'll know where they're from).

[kiraryker]

I like to purchase decorative plates made locally - last time in LaRomana we purchased a beautiful painting - watched the artists - for only $60 but back home it cost me $400 to frame it because of the strange size - :rolleyes:

 

So this cruise I think I'll stick to decorative plates or carved wooden items

[TransplantedOkies]

I collect shot glasses. I know they're probably made in China but I still like getting them from different places. My dad and my husband made me a wooden shot glass case to put them in. When I look at my shot glasses I know who got that one for me and it also reminds me of my dad.

[TheVegasMan]

Shells from my snorkeling and diving trips and coconuts which decorate our pool area.

[A&Jfamily]

Get a Christmas ornament of the ship I am on (and try not to lose it before Christmas!), and when I am in a port, I like to get something from a local artist - from Belize I got metal iguanas that hang on my bathroom wall, and in Hondouras, I got a pendant.

[najnelle]

I always buy decks of playing cards from the places I visit. I know they aren't made locally, but they remind me of the places I have been. They are also cheap, lightweight, and easy to pack.

[Angelamu7]

I do Christmas ornament & Special glass.

Husband does hats.

And we also look for things that are locally made.

[yogi2929]

I try to get things made by locals. And we like to eat in local resturants.

 

In Ensenada I have purchased masks made from gourds and have painted seashells from the Bufadora. I also like the Mexican Talevera pottery. The last time we went to one of the supermarkets and bought some small jars of Mole'. I can only get the large jars at home. The guy at the candy store told us how his mother doctors it up!

[G'ma]

I head for a stand or shop that sells locally made items. I've been collecting small watercolors, sketches and oils for years...none larger than about 6" x 6". I prefer to buy from the artist but that's not always possible.....but many smaller local shops sell the work of these locals.

 

I've one entire wall that is filled with these delightful pictures from all over the world where travel has taken me. Rarely are they more than 10-20.00 and they last forever. I also buy these as gifts for family and friends when I'm shopping for them.

 

So much that's for sale at cruise ports is simply junk or high-end diamond dealers.....neither of which hold any interest for me.

 

Each one of them provokes a memory and I can recall where and when I bought them.

[babyher]

We also like to get something made locally. A painting, a little nick nack, an astray, a carved wooden bowl something like that. We also have the extensive magnet collection(we will be needing another refrigerator pretty soon just for magnets *LOL*)

 

 

Its fun to display things around the house and when you see them or a guest comments on it you can tell them where it was from.

[mariemorgan]

Cozumel has painted feathers too!