Who hasn’t experienced this: You’re traveling somewhere on a wonderful family vacation and enjoy something spectacular, something that you really want to remember. Somewhere, nearby, is a vendor offering goods of varying quality (most of it questionable). Overwhelmed by the desire to bottle this memory, you cave and buy something.
What happens to that souvenir? Maybe you display it somewhere in your home, but perhaps more likely, it winds up tucked away in a closet, forgotten. In either case, it gradually blends into the background of your life, scarcely remembered or considered.
[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]
A few years later, you might spot it again and wonder: Why on Earth did I buy that? The object itself means little, you realize. It’s the memory inside that counts.
The truth is: The best souvenirs don’t cost much money. Instead, they help us savor our experience. Most of the souvenirs you find at overpriced gift shops fail on both fronts.
Here are five alternatives that manage to capture both sides of the coin. These keepsakes are inexpensive, and are more directly tied to the moment we once experienced, helping us conjure up memories with ease. With any luck, they’ll allow us to relive that moment in time, if only for a little while.
“Found” items. Seashells, rocks, leaves and other materials you discover on your trip can be great souvenirs. These items provide free, natural decoration for your home or garden and offer vivid reminders of where you were when you found them.
The only potential catch? Many parks and nature preserves have strong restrictions on collecting such items, so make sure you have permission first.
[See: 6 Ways to Treat Yourself on a Budget.]
Documents. Have ticket stubs or programs from special shows you attended? What about menus or napkins from memorable restaurants? These types of souvenirs are free and very easy to include in scrapbooks or photo albums you might craft later on.
A travel journal. Kick off your vacation with a blank journal. Each evening, jot down five favorite things that happened that day, including landmarks visited and meals enjoyed. It’s a great activity to do while the kids are falling asleep after a long day of adventuring.
Bonus? Affix your prized travel documents directly onto the pages of your journal for later reference. The best part? You don’t need anything special to do this. Almost any old notebook and pen will work perfectly.
[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]
Photographs. Even those stored digitally make for compelling reminders of your journey. The trick is to manage those photos smartly.
For starters, take all the digital photos you want; just make sure to trash the discards each day to avoid overload.
After the trip, why not transform the family computer into a digital picture frame that constantly rotates images from your vacation? Just create a customized screen saver and you’re there.
Postcards. Yes, these are great for sticking on the refrigerator or in the corners of mirrors for a quick reminder of your travels.
Souvenirs don’t have to be overpriced and forgettable. They just need to be little slices of memory, things that take up space in your heart, not in your closet. Try collecting these souvenirs on your next trip; your wallet will be lighter and your memories will be brighter.
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5 Alternatives to Overpriced Vacation Souvenirs originally appeared on usnews.com
