Looking for souvenir ideas? These 10 classic keepsakes will ensure your holiday lives long in the memory…

Everyone loves a holiday. But if there’s one thing that’s not particularly enjoyable about jetting off on a trip abroad, it’s coming back to face the post-holiday blues. You know, that feeling when you return to the day-to-day grind and all you can think about is how much you miss the mountains, the beach, or sipping coffee in that sophisticated city square.

Well, fear not. I have the perfect solution to help you hold onto those vacation vibes for just a little longer: souvenirs. From locally-made crafts to amusingly tacky trinkets, bringing home a piece of your travels will give you something you can cherish forever.

But what type of souvenir should you go for?

Helpfully, I’ve scoured the globe to bring you 10 of the best souvenir ideas. Next time you’re in a gift shop, pop any of these in your shopping basket and you’ll have something to commemorate your travels for years to come. Just don’t go too crazy — that portrait of the Eiffel Tower won’t do much to keep your luggage weight in check.

10 of the Best Souvenirs to Collect Worldwide

From the kitsch to the classy, these souvenir ideas almost certainly won’t end up in the garbage (we hope)…

1. Fridge magnets souvenir

It’s an as-yet unproven scientific fact that the only time we ever feel compelled to buy a fridge magnet is when we’re in a gift shop in a foreign country hundreds of miles away from home. But that’s ok because the humble fridge magnet is a souvenir that’s both fun and functional.

They come in all types of whacky shapes and sizes and help to stick important documents such as bills, letters and children’s finger paintings to our fridges.

Plus, any time someone reaches for the milk, they’re reminded of how incredibly worldly we are.

2. Snow globes souvenirs

Snow globes may be the ultimate travel souvenir. Like a miniature world in a glass bubble, they’re especially great to buy in tropical destinations where there’s absolutely no snow, because nothing says ‘I just spent a week sunbathing in the Caribbean’ quite like a snow globe.

3. T-shirts souvenirs

T-shirts are another classic souvenir choice. Who doesn’t love a good tourist tee?

Sure, some of the slogans may feel a little tired and overused; ‘I went to X and all I got was this lousy T-Shirt’, for instance.

Oh, and while I’m on the topic of slogans, just make sure you check it before you buy — you don’t want to end up with a shirt that says who knows what in Chinese.

4. Sunglasses souvenir

Sunglasses are almost certainly every beach vendor’s top-selling product. The ultimate travel accessory, they’re stylish, practical, and make you look like a celebrity trying to avoid the paparazzi. And the best part? You can never have too many pairs.

Which is just as well because by the end of your trip, you’ll have accumulated enough to open your own store.

5. Local snacks

Head to any supermarket on holiday and the chances are you’ll make a beeline for their snacks aisle, in particular their wide array of exotic crisps. They might look like regular potato chips, but the flavours are a whole different story. Wasabi and ginger, Serrano ham and pimentón, kebab and onion… it’s like a culinary adventure in a bag.

The only downside is that they don’t travel particularly well. So while it might seem like a good idea to bring a few bags home as a flavoursome memento, it’s probably best to enjoy them while you’re there — unless you want to spend the next six months snacking on dried potato dust.

These could make for a great unique souvenir idea.

6. Hats as a souvenir idea

There are two occasions when hat-wearing is mandatory. The first is on Christmas Day when you pull a paper crown out of your cracker. The second is any time you visit the seaside on a summer holiday abroad.

Didn’t pack one?

Fear not — the hawkers on the beach will have a plentiful supply. The question is, what style do you go for — floppy bucket hat, tasteful fedora or full-blown sombrero?

7. Traditional instruments

Inspired by the local music scene on your overseas trip?

Why not form a deeper appreciation for your new favourite country’s culture by bringing home a traditional instrument and learning to play it yourself?

It can be a fun and rewarding experience and a tangible reminder of your travels. Do, however, resist the urge to serenade your fellow passengers on the plane journey home — no one needs that on their flight.

These are the cool souvenirs no one really wants you to bring home from your hols.

8. Local drinks

There’s something about being on holiday that makes the local tipple taste delicious. So delicious, in fact, that you may feel compelled to take a bottle or two home with you. Before you do, just remember that the incredibly strong, aniseed-flavour liqueur may not tingle the tastebuds in quite the same way when you get back home as it did on the sunny terrace of your Greek island villa.

Suddenly, that strong liquorice taste goes from ‘exotic’ to ‘I think I just drank a bottle of mouthwash’. And you may later find yourself using it as a last resort for cleaning the bathroom tiles.

9. Decorative glasses

Many of us have a shelf dedicated to the random glasses we’ve collected from our travels over the years. Whether it’s a shot glass from Cancun, a beer stein from Munich, or a wine glass from Bordeaux, these mismatched receptacles add a touch of international flair to our kitchen cupboards (and remind us of our questionable taste in souvenir ideas).

These make great souvenir gifts for your friends!

10. Traditional clothing

While it might seem like a good idea to buy that traditional folk costume when you’re on holiday, there are two things to consider.

First, do you really want to be that person who wears lederhosen to the grocery store?

Secondly, is that full-sized poncho likely to fit in your carry-on luggage? And let’s be honest, you’ll probably only wear that intricately embroidered tunic once before it ends up at the bottom of your wardrobe. So unless you’re planning on starting your own Renaissance fair, it might be best to stick with something a little more practical (like a magnet or a snow globe).

What are your favourite holiday souvenir ideas?

There you have it — 10 souvenir items to help keep those vacation vibes alive. Whether it’s a fridge magnet, a snow globe, a traditional instrument, or t-shirt with a questionable slogan, these keepsakes will serve as a reminder of the incredible moments you experienced on your trip.

Just be careful not to go overboard — your luggage allowance can be a real buzzkill. And remember, when it comes to traditional clothing, sometimes it’s best to leave the lederhosen behind.

Have I missed any of your favourite souvenir ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

Check out all these great souvenirs ideas from around the world

Quick list of the best souvenirs ideas

Fridge magnets
Snow globes
T-shirts
Sunglasses
Local snacks
Hats
Traditional instruments
Local drinks
Decorative glasses
Seashells
Traditional clothing

Souvenir Ideas: 10 Best Souvenirs to Collect Worldwide and Keep Forever