Souvenirs – The Travel Christmas Tree
Souvenirs – something for everyone on the Travel Christmas Tree
Souvenirs: Memory Triggers
Souvenirs are a keepsake which reminds you of a trip. According to the dictionary, a souvenir is ‘an object a person keeps for the memories associated with it”.
Since a souvenir is ‘an object’ that means a souvenir can be anything! This is really an ‘anything goes’ category. Souvenirs can be whatever strikes your fancy, but some people like certain types of souvenirs.
When I was growing up my mom had a collection of coffee mugs. The collection quickly outgrew the cabinets and my dad hung them on the walls in the kitchen. It was a fun and colorful decoration we all enjoyed.
Things you can hang on the travel Christmas tree as ornaments make great souvenirs!
Souvenirs: The sky is the limit
When I started traveling I considered my mom’s idea and gathered mugs during my early travels, but they were big and it was hard to bring back several from trips that included multiple cities. Also, breakage was a real concern. Though I love drinking hot tea year round from colorful mugs – mugs weren’t the right souvenir for me.
I have a friend who once decorated her guest bathroom in ‘tacky tourist’ and her souvenirs were the craziest thing she could find on her travels! Once she brought back stuffed frogs (real frogs) that formed a musical band. Nothing was too crazy or bizarre. Penis shaped soaps? Sure thing! Lamp of the statue of Michealangelo’s David? Why not? But…those oddball items were often expensive, delicate and it was hard to fit them in a suitcase.
I briefly considered souvenir charms for a charm bracelet. It was a fun way to wear memories! But, charms weren’t easy to find and I hated to spend a lot of time shopping for souvenirs on a trip when I wanted to be sightseeing instead!!
Then…the answer hit me! Christmas ornaments! I would have a travel Christmas tree. Voila!
The Tanner Travel Christmas Tree
Since true, honest to goodness Christmas ornaments are not available everywhere year round, my definition of ‘Christmas ornament’ is:
“Anything small enough to fit on the tree that makes me think of our adventure”
Souvenirs: Why are travel Christmas tree ornaments perfect for me?
- Easily found anywhere – airports, gas stations, gift shops
- Small and easy to fit in the suitcase – buy one from each place if you want!
- Cheap and easy on the budget!
Souvenirs: What have I used for travel Christmas tree ornaments?
Bookmarks – They even have a ribbon on top for you!
Keychains – These are by far the easiest to find and there is always a huge variety of choices.
Artistic items – This is the handmade ravioli from Ravenna, Italy.
Collector spoons – Another very easily found item
Lapel Pins – You have a room in the suitcase for a zillion of these!
Ceramic items – These very small wall decorations make the perfect ornament!
Christmas ornaments – Sometimes you find a real, honest to goodness ornament!
Souvenirs make you smile every time you see them and bring those memories of a family adventure rushing back. BUT, don’t let the search for souvenirs take over the adventure itself! Explore, experience, savor…the destination, the time together, the food, the ambiance…..but shop quickly to snatch a souvenir. Don’t spend all your time worrying over the ‘right’ one because there is no ‘wrong’ one!
Every year I get to unwrap all the travel Christmas tree souvenir ‘ornaments’ and walk down memory lane.
I smile the whole time I do it!
Traveling with the kids can be fun and educational for everyone. Create family memories that will last a lifetime!
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Happy travels!
Natalie, The Educational Tourist
Me too!
My Xmas tree is just a cascade of memories. Putting up the decorations prompts a remember this, remember that conversation.
Though most places will sell decorations or something hangable or occasionally I’ve repurposed a key hair. I have also commissioned some for countries I struggled with – flat decorations that I have put the country flag on one side and a travel pic on the other side. Tree goes up on the 1st Dec for maximum Xmas tree viewage
Got mine up a few days late this year but it makes me so happy to add this year’s new ornament from Greece!