The Next Time You Buy A Souvenir, Make Sure It's A Useful One

When many people go on vacation to a new destination, they buy a little trinket souvenir to bring home with them as a reminder of their experience. Perhaps this is a little stuffed dog with the word "Alaska" printed on its sweater, or maybe it's a cheese figurine stamped with the name "Wisconsin" and will sit on the back of your shelf for 20 years. Unfortunately, these items don't really serve their intended purpose of reminding you of your vacation because they aren't items you use every day.

You're likely to set them on a shelf or in a drawer, and never really look at them again. The next time you go on vacation, apply a new rule to your souvenir purchases. Buy only items that you'll use regularly, so you actually do see them, and actually do recall your vacation on a regular basis.

Here are a few highly functional souvenir items to consider purchasing on your future travels:

Clocks

A decorative clock that sports the name of the city you visited, or is shaped like a landmark in that city, will serve as a constant reminder of your trip. You'll catch a glimpse of it every time you check the time, and so will guests. A clock shaped like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, or Stonehenge is sure to spark some conversations.

Pillows

Some souvenir shops and local vendors sell embroidered pillows that feature the name of a city of an emblem of an interesting attraction. You can use them and enjoy their beauty when you snuggle on the couch.

Mugs and Glasses

As long as you actually use it and don't shove it into the back of your cupboard, a mug or glass is a lovely souvenir. You can enjoy a little reminder of your visit to Rome or adventure in Sydney each time you enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of water.

Bottle Openers

The type of bottle opener that attaches to your keychain is an especially useful souvenir. This is a good choice if you're on a budget. You can carry it everywhere with you, and reminisce about your trip while enjoying a few drinks with friends.

Durable Jewelry

Pick out a well-made bracelet or necklace that reminds you of your vacation destination, and make it a part of your everyday attire. Each time you take it on and off, you'll think of your trip.

To avoid wasting your money on meaningless trinkets, start approaching souvenir shopping in a new way. When you walk into a shop such as Creative Chateau, ask yourself what items you are really likely to use, and then choose one of those items rather than one that will just sit on a shelf and collect dust.