Most people, when going on vacation, will come back with some great souvenirs. Some buy t-shirts, others fun little decorations. For me, it's ornaments, magnets, and sometimes books. From my first major trip to Ireland to my most recent 2-day trek to Vegas, these items have been my go-to souvenirs.
Over the years of roadtripping, I've developed a sort of sixth sense for where to find the desired items. Even in Las Vegas, I'm able to quickly hone in on a shop that will have the exact item I want to find. I remember walking down Las Vegas Blvd with a friend who lived in Las Vegas, nearing the end of my very first solo road trip. We'd been striking out all evening looking for a magnet and an ornament. At this point, even something cheap would have been acceptable. As we walked, I looked across the street and spotted a shop just under the "Eiffel Tower" and knew immediately that's where I'd get my souvenirs. I told my friend, and off we went.
I've found magnets in airport gift shops that were perfect when all the traditional stores had awful options. I've turned bookmarks into ornaments when a suitable traditional ornament wasn't anywhere to be found. I've purchased books in West Yellowstone and even hit a sale in an Ireland bookstore. The stickers displaying the price in Euros still live on the covers of those books. They aren't books about the area but instead books by authors I'd never heard of before. Books I enjoy the story while still revisiting the memories of the area and the times I was in the stores.
My ornaments are a treat every Christmas. As I unwrap each one, I think about where I was when I bought it and the trip I was on at the time. I love to just stare at my decorated tree every year and relive the memories hanging from the branches.
My magnets cover the face of my refrigerator. I love looking at them every day as I pass the fridge or while I'm waiting for something to cook. I sometimes find myself just standing in front of the fridge while recalling fond memories.
Recalling old memories is fun, but I also love the hunt for the perfect magnet or that great tree ornament. It's something I look forward to on every trip. The best part, ornaments and magnets are not usually super expensive, and magnets, you can shove one of those little guys right into a corner of a suitcase, same with books. No extra space needed, and you just can't beat that!
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