I just got back from Dallas, Texas a few days ago. Anytime I go on a trip, I bring back souvenirs. However this time I had an idea. What if I took photos of souvenirs instead of actually buying them? Would a mere picture of something be as good as buying it? Well, here are the results of my souvenir experiment.
As soon as I got off the airplane at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, there were souvenir shops selling postcards, refrigerator magnets, t-shirts and hats. I thought I’d wait because I don’t want to buy souvenirs of things I haven’t even seen yet!
Once in Dallas, I had more opportunities for souvenir shopping, like at the hotel. Still, I waited to buy anything. But here’s where I started taking pictures of souvenir displays. I spent time looking at the displays and admiring them. I thought, “Now here’s a way to save space in my suitcase!”
When it was time to go back to the airport for the trip home, I realized that I could have left Dallas without purchasing any souvenirs at all. In the end I did get some postcards and a mug (among other things) at the airport. But I like my virtual souvenirs, too, and I think the photos will work quite well as keepsakes of my trip.
Meg Travels 
Brilliant idea!
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Thanks! It makes packing easier…
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This is a great idea. When I buy souvenirs, they are often not of the name-of-city-here variety, but something that I might have bought myself at home, made all the more special by having bought it while on a trip. For example, I keep my toothbrush in a lovely floral mug that I bought at the CN Tower in Toronto, of all places. I’m likely the only one who knows it’s a memento of that trip, but it reminds me of a fun adventure with my children.
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I agree with you! I also have non-touristy souvenirs like scarves, sweaters, and shoes that are special because I remember where I bought them. Good point!
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Hi,
You just can’t beat photos, they are a wonderful way to remember what you may have seen on your trip. But it is always nice just to have a little something extra as well.
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Definitely! Photos with some actual souvenirs are a good combination…
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Photos are a great idea. Who needs all that stuff anyway?
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That’s true. I almost need another room to store all my souvenirs!
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I like the idea of photographing the souvenirs. I have difficulty throwing things out or repurposing them later so try not to add to the clutter these days. A cool idea.
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Thanks. It may be a way to enjoy a souvenir without the clutter!
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Yeehaw! Welcome to Texas! I do this, too and haven’t regretted it ,except once. I wish I had that Turkish rug I took a picture of….But, then again, my picture is soooo much cheaper! Great post.
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Thanks! I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who takes pictures of souvenirs. I’m not ready to just take pictures of shoes, though…
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Now that is an excellent idea. Well as long as you were not bringing them back as gifts :-)
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You’re so right. It would be such a disappointment to just get a photo instead of a gift!
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Great idea Meg, not only did you save space in your suitcase–you also did not have to pay for extra baggage. Lol
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That’s for sure! Otherwise some (or many) of the souvenirs I photographed would have ended up in my suitcase :)
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Each time I travel I tell myself I’m not going to buy too much and I’m getting better! I now tend to buy one nice item that represents the country well and other then indulging my passion for scarves thats about it ;-)
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I like your spending plan a lot! Especially the part about the scarves… :)
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I like it! Save your money (and space in your luggage) for the really awesome purchases.
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That’s it exactly. And there’s usually something special (not a trinket) to buy wherever you go!
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Well, if that isn’t the greenest, most creative thing I’ve ever heard! I’ll try it too!
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I’m really glad you liked this! I wanted to try something different when it came to buying souvenirs, and this worked for me.
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I love the souvenirs you brought home! What a wonderful idea,Meg! I think of all the trinkets acquired through the years, especially when traveling with children. This idea would have been a fun and creative plan! I echo Laurie–Brilliant! Debra
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Thanks Debra! And when I look at my photos of the souvenirs, I have the same recollection of where I was as if I had actually purchased them. So I would say it is something worth trying…
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I agree with everyone that this is a great idea!! Other than a few pieces of jewelry I bought in Scotland, my best souvenirs were the hundreds of photos I took…they bring back memories of a great trip!
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You probably have a lot of beautiful photos from Scotland that bring back wonderful memories! And thank you :)
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What a fantastic idea that I will certainly “steal” and use your method of souvenir shopping of my next trip.
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You should definitely take as many photos as you can of souvenirs, and then spend your money on something you’ll really enjoy!
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I did this with “keepsakes” when we downsized to an apartment a few years ago, and I haven’t once regretted all of the things we parted with, even things I thought I was horribly sentimental about. Just being able to reflect on the stuff *if* I want to is plenty. You took it to the next logical level; how great!! The only thing that’s too bad is that you were less than an hour away from me in Dallas and I didn’t know to look you up! Next time, my friend. :)
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It’s true-once you have a souvenir, it’s hard to part with it. The photos help keep the focus on the memories, I think. And I will definitely let you know the next time I’m in Dallas!
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What a great idea! I need to do this! I certainly don’t need another tee shirt! :)
Thanks for another great tip, Meg!
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Thanks Judy! I’m sure I’ll still buy souvenirs, but maybe this will help me buy a few less of them… :)
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What a great idea! This way, you get to have it all, and still have money in your wallet!
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That’s just what I had in mind when I tried this! And it worked for me… :)
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I thought photos of the trip were the virtual souvenir!!!! I know they are my favourites. :)
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You’re right about that! The pictures that we bring back make the best souvenirs…
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What a good idea, much as I like to buy things often its just clutter that I don’t have space for. I so like to support crafts item made by local women though.
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You make a really good point: your purchase supports local artisans, and that is well worth it!
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I agree with everyone else, that’s a great idea. You could always print and frame any particularly nice photos and give them as presents, or make photos into a calendar using one of these online calendar creation sites (Vistprint does them really cheaply).
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That is such a good idea! Using the photos to make a calendar (or framing them) is something I will have to try… :)
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