Cheap and Unique Souvenir Ideas

Leave the T-shirts, fridge magnets and keyrings behind... it's time for some cheap and unique souvenir ideas!

Taking home some physical memories along with those in your head is one of the best things about travelling, and creating a collection of souvenirs from all the amazing places you've visited from across the world is something to be proud (as well as being super satisfying). But, it can be easy to get tired of the endless tourist T-shirts, tacky fridge magnets and keyrings that litter the tourist hotspots and airports. And, of course, there is the hold luggage allowance to deal with as well.

HostelsClub has made a list of some great cheap and unique souvenir ideas, so that you can bring memories home, with your wallet just a little heavier and your luggage a little lighter :)

Sand

Collect a little jar of sand from every beach that you have ever visited, and label each when you get home. If you want, you can even save money by finding one large jar and layering up the sand as you go along, placing a small label in front of each layer. It can be cool to see how many shades you can collect, and you could even do this with earth, shells or small stones, too.

Cookbooks

Revive the tastes and smells from adventures you went on years ago through dishes around the world. Little local cookbooks are always the best, and won't cost a ton. Just don't expect your dishes to be quite as good as the originals! You can even take your own notebook and ask people you meet to write their favourite recipe inside, so you have your own personal collection of recipies from around the world!

Postcard Book

Send yourself a postcard with a local stamp from every place you visit, with a description of what you are doing. When you get home you can make them into a little postcard book that charts your trips and adventures, like a postcard diary. You can also build up a stamp collection at the same time. You can make a book for each seperate country, or tie everything together for one long trip.

Local Newspapers

These can usually be picked up for free, or pretty cheap. Bonus points if you find papers with reports on events or concerts you attended - you can take them home, laminated them, and use them as placemats on your table! It makes a conversation piece, too.

Start a collection

Pick an object, it could be anything! Shot glasses, sugar packets, pressed flowers, empty bottles etc… just make sure it’s small (and free if you wish!) Collect one of this item in every place you visit. Soon enough, you will start to build up an impressive collection. It dosesn't quite have to be as extensive as the one below, but you get the idea!

Pressed Penny

Great for the most budget-tight travellers a pressed penny is the perfect small souvenir that encapsulates your travels. All you need is a penny and a euro/pound/dollar and the penny machine will make one for you in seconds, usually with a local momument pressed into the side. If you are feeling particularly creative then you can create windchimes, bracelets or more as you build up your collection.

Photo: Pinterest (Instructables)

Paper Maps

These days we all use google maps or other apps to get around, although there is something irresistible about old paper maps. Buy a cheap local map on your travels, or pick up a free one in your hostel or the local tourist office. Mark the routes you take, the sites you see, and the places you stayed. You never know, it might come in handy in the future too.

Everyday Items

It can be fun (and useful) to buy objects you usually buy in your home country while you are travelling. And, if you were going to buy them at home anyway, you are not really spending any extra cash. Sunglasses, photo frames, bowls or pencil cases ... whatever the object is, it will remind you of your travels every time that you look at it. Check out local flea markets, hardware stores or homeware shops to find what you need. Who said you didn't need another fancy bowl?

Hostel Items

Most hostels have stickers, beer coasters or bookmarks that they are happy to give away, just make sure you ask first, of course! Some even give away free bars of soap or mini tubes of shampoo (weren't expecting that from hostels, were you?). Bring them home and start a collection, and you'll never have to buy soap again!

Local Currency

Keep those little pieces of change that you didn't quite get to spend and bring them home - stick them in a book, in a jar.... who knows, they might be super valuable one day!