Need European Souvenir Ideas, Please!

[theelfqueen]

I, too, was going to suggest magnets. We get them from all sorts of places we go!

 

[ceecee]

Try something like this:
http://pinterest.com/pin/14636767511531515/
Have him take a pic - alone or in a group - at each place he visits.
With each place, have a map, and when he gets home, mat the picture with the map... You can also put on the mat some coins or money, ticket stubs, etc. Could be a really awesome souvie/wall hanging/gallery area.

Nice idea!!!
Magnets are good too, but then your fridge gets messy looking.

 

[Jridou]

So this might not apply to your son, but my favorite souvenirs are ones I use all the time ~ when we went to Iceland I bought some reusable grocery bags at the grocery store (with the name of the store and a picture of their mascot, which was a pig!)

I smile & remember my trip every time I go grocery shopping !

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

We always do magnets. My brother went to Europe twice and always brought home magnets. Not only were they cheap, but easy to carry home

 

[hlg22]

I collect Christmas tree ornaments. They're small, inexpensive and easy to find at any time of year - there's generally a selection in souvenir shops, and even beyond Europe in non-Christian countries I've been able to find items that work as ornaments. I've been doing this since my first trip to Europe as a teen and am now at the point where virtually my entire tree gets decorated in ornaments from my travels.

 

[glss1/2fll]

Try something like this:
http://pinterest.com/pin/14636767511531515/
Have him take a pic - alone or in a group - at each place he visits.
With each place, have a map, and when he gets home, mat the picture with the map... You can also put on the mat some coins or money, ticket stubs, etc. Could be a really awesome souvie/wall hanging/gallery area.

That was a really cool picture. Love that idea. Let's just hope he actually takes some photos!

Magnet. Cheap, portable, and useful your whole life!

That's what I do!

I, too, was going to suggest magnets. We get them from all sorts of places we go!

So do I!

Nice idea!!!
Magnets are good too, but then your fridge gets messy looking.

Yes. My fridge definitely needs a purge!

So this might not apply to your son, but my favorite souvenirs are ones I use all the time ~ when we went to Iceland I bought some reusable grocery bags at the grocery store (with the name of the store and a picture of their mascot, which was a pig!)

I smile & remember my trip every time I go grocery shopping !

That is so smart! Love it!!

We always do magnets. My brother went to Europe twice and always brought home magnets. Not only were they cheap, but easy to carry home

You are so right!

I collect Christmas tree ornaments. They're small, inexpensive and easy to find at any time of year - there's generally a selection in souvenir shops, and even beyond Europe in non-Christian countries I've been able to find items that work as ornaments. I've been doing this since my first trip to Europe as a teen and am now at the point where virtually my entire tree gets decorated in ornaments from my travels.

What a great idea. There's a church in our town that does a nativity display every year. It is so fun to see all the ones people have brought back from different countries!


Thanks, Everyone, so much for all your great ideas. DS was reading this last night and said, "You're super worried about me not taking pictures, aren't you?!! yes, yes I am!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Since most countries in Europe use the Euro, this won't be as interesting a collection as it would have been years ago.

I suggest that your son take lots of photos; they are one of the best souvenirs.

Sorry, yes you are right. I was thinking a little more globally when I answered that. My dh is off to Siberia in a few weeks. He still has paper money from China in his wallet from his last trip.

Yes I still have my european maps. Also some ticket stubs to various places.

Maybe if he finds a cool t shirt. My one ds has one that says Haka. That is from New Zealand I think. Its his favorite.

 

[mjantz]

So this might not apply to your son, but my favorite souvenirs are ones I use all the time ~ when we went to Iceland I bought some reusable grocery bags at the grocery store (with the name of the store and a picture of their mascot, which was a pig!)

I smile & remember my trip every time I go grocery shopping !

I like getting reusable bags from overseas as well. I have some big ones but I have 2 that fold up smaller than the palm of my hand & are about the size of a regular plastic bag when unfolded. They're from Hamleys Toy Store and Marks & Spencer, both UK chains. They would have taken up very little room in my suitcase had I brought them home as gifts.

 

[KayW]

When I participated in a similar group in 1994 I bought patches from each of the countries. Then I sewed them on the tour jacket I bought. Similar to what the Drum Corps kids do.
Postcards were good too. I still use them today in my geography classroom.

Tshirts can be folded down quite nicely too.