Yahoo Finance Don’t Waste Your Vacation Money on Souvenirs: 3 Better Ways To Spend It Instead
Who hasn’t fallen for the trap of overspending on souvenirs? You take a trip to an exotic location, and you see something small and generic that catches your eye.
So, impulsively, you buy a dozen.
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It’s so simple to overload on souvenirs; but, if you’re not careful, you can end up merely accumulating stuff that turns into junk.
“Souvenirs are best when they trigger meaningful memories or capture the essence of a place,” said Mac Steer, owner and director of Simify, a travel SIM company dedicated to helping travelers remain connected. “Personally, I find locally made goods that I will use regularly at home fit the bill.
“A handcrafted item from an artisan allows me to support independent makers and brings the destination to life whenever I use it.”
Giacomo Piva, travel industry analyst and co-founder at Radical Storage, agreed.
“Whenever you want to go on a trip, it’s only logical to look for ways to render your memories during your vacation more tangible,” he said, “so it is very common and also understandable to want to buy some souvenirs, in order to cherish all the great adventures that you have lived in those days.”
However, he said many local people and businesses take advantage of this simple desire of tourists and charge higher prices than the souvenirs are worth.
“So you should learn how to [discern] useful and even interesting ones from the most useless,” Piva said.
Below are more tips to opt for rather than waste your vacation money on souvenirs.
Also see how much the average American is spending on summer travel.
Photo Gifts
“For an affordable alternative, I recommend creating a photo book or framed collage of your favorite trip photos,” Steer suggested.
“Looking through photos of scenic vistas, cultural experiences, local cuisine and interactions with people from that place will transport you back and keep the memories fresh for years to come. Photos are an easy, personalized way to relive and share the joy of your travels without accumulating more stuff.”
With the advent of the mobile phone, the technology of photography is more accessible and allows you to take gorgeous and moving pictures of the places you visit, Kevin Huffman, personal finance expert and owner of Kriminil Trading, pointed out.
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“You can avoid buying postcards of famous landmarks, which aren’t cheap, and take lovely pictures yourself at the location,” he said. “When you are back home, create a gorgeous travel photo album.”
He said online editors allow you to play with the organization of your pictures to create charming virtual or paper albums.
“Another option? Frame a favorite travel photo; this doesn’t need to be a costly endeavor,” Huffman explained. “Select the most evocative images and well-captured scenes from your travels and display them where people can see and discuss them all the time.”
Kelly Sullivan, managing director at Kokomo Botanical Resort, said photos can be some of the most memorable options.
“In my years traveling the world, I’ve found that souvenirs are often overpriced trinkets not worth the cost,” she said. “However, I do think it’s worthwhile to bring back something meaningful that evokes memories of your travels. My favorite souvenirs are photographs I’ve taken, printed, and framed. A beautiful photo of a place you visited makes for affordable, personal art you’ll enjoy in your home.
“I remember one trip to Thailand when I was tempted to buy a decorative elephant statue from a market,” Sullivan said. “At the time, it felt like an authentic local craft. But once I returned home, it sat collecting dust on a shelf.
“Looking back, I wish I had spent that money getting professional photos from my trip printed instead. Now, I make a photo book or frame select prints after each journey. It’s a way to revisit my adventures that’s more personal than a generic trinket. And the cost is reasonable — usually less than a fancy statue!
“Curating photographic souvenirs has become a cherished part of how I memorialize my travels.”
Handmade Goods
“For example, on a trip to Italy, instead of buying kitschy magnets or T-shirts, I invested in handmade leather goods from a family-run shop,” Steer said. “Over a decade later, I still use the wallet and journal I purchased there regularly.
“Running my fingers over the soft, supple leather instantly takes me back to the cobblestone streets of Florence. The quality craftsmanship has stood the test of time and serves as a reminder of that formative trip.”
Huffman added, “Buy something that can reflect the culture of the destination or craftsmanship in making it. This might be a really well-woven scarf, a special piece of bracelet or necklace. It will probably last longer and you’ll look back and remember all the beautiful memories.
“Contemplate the intrinsic value of an artifact. A mass-produced keychain might easily become mundane, but a locally made artifact by an artisan could mean something much more lasting.”
Spend on Experiences
“The best souvenirs are intangible,” Huffman said. “Immerse yourself in the local culture, consume the flavors, get to know the people, tap into your senses and live through experiences. The more visceral they become, the longer they’ll stay with you too. Experiences create lasting impressions.
“And if you’re creative in how you document them, you can own the photographs and stories of your travels for the rest of your life without busting your bank account.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Don’t Waste Your Vacation Money on Souvenirs: 3 Better Ways To Spend It Instead
