I’ve gotten to the point that I am souvenired out. I travel enough that all the trinkets purchased on my travels are starting to clutter my home and empty my bank account. I’ve come to the realization that most of the typical kitchy stuff (red double decker buses from London, Eiffel tower key chains, mini Michelangelo statue, magnets, beach photo frames) are made in China anyway and easily accessible on-line! I’ve come to the conclusion that the best souvenirs are the cheapest and most totable. Postcards, tickets, city maps, and tons of pictures are all you need to recapture memories made by traveling. However, if you haven’t collected enough gadgets and gizmos to fill a treasure trove, maybe a few of these will direct your shopping.
1.
Polish Pottery. Apparently, these made their American debut from American service members stationed in Germany bringing them back to The States where the colorful, functional kitchen art became highly coveted amongst their envious friends. You can even catch Claudia Joy from Lifetime’s army wives drinking out of a polish pottery mug. Now it’s sold at Costco. Amongst my associates, you cannot live in Europe without bringing back plenty of polish pottery.
Polish Pottery. Apparently, these made their American debut from American service members stationed in Germany bringing them back to The States where the colorful, functional kitchen art became highly coveted amongst their envious friends. You can even catch Claudia Joy from Lifetime’s army wives drinking out of a polish pottery mug. Now it’s sold at Costco. Amongst my associates, you cannot live in Europe without bringing back plenty of polish pottery.
2.
Cuckhoo clock. Frau Kramer once told me, when I first moved here, “All Americans who live in Germany leave with one of two things….A cuckhoo clock or a baby.” My clock is on order.
Cuckhoo clock. Frau Kramer once told me, when I first moved here, “All Americans who live in Germany leave with one of two things….A cuckhoo clock or a baby.” My clock is on order.
3.
Hardwood Furniture (Antique or not). Antiques do not seem to be as valued here, where furniture has survived multiple centuries rather than decades like in The States. Pieces that survived WWII do not have the same crazy expensive price tags as 1950s furniture pieces in The States. Now, I have had my eye on this beautiful, ornately carved, 16th century, French wardrobe with a 15K euro price tag. But newer pieces are equally as beautiful just as durable, and way cheaper. People have century’s worth of antiques. Apparently, when times were hard, Europeans burned their antique chests to stay warm. That’s all furniture amounts to in the end…firewood. So no need to drop hundred’s of cash on it. Either way, German craftsmanship is awesome — not the cheap, flimsy, press board stuff around here (except at IKEA).
Hardwood Furniture (Antique or not). Antiques do not seem to be as valued here, where furniture has survived multiple centuries rather than decades like in The States. Pieces that survived WWII do not have the same crazy expensive price tags as 1950s furniture pieces in The States. Now, I have had my eye on this beautiful, ornately carved, 16th century, French wardrobe with a 15K euro price tag. But newer pieces are equally as beautiful just as durable, and way cheaper. People have century’s worth of antiques. Apparently, when times were hard, Europeans burned their antique chests to stay warm. That’s all furniture amounts to in the end…firewood. So no need to drop hundred’s of cash on it. Either way, German craftsmanship is awesome — not the cheap, flimsy, press board stuff around here (except at IKEA).
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| I purchased this soon after my kitchen cabinet crashed. |
4.
Nutcracker (Germany). Get a custom, personalized one to look like you.
Nutcracker (Germany). Get a custom, personalized one to look like you.
5.
Smoker (Germany). you put a little tea candle in this toy and it looks like its smoking. It’s a holiday decoration.
Smoker (Germany). you put a little tea candle in this toy and it looks like its smoking. It’s a holiday decoration.
6.
Any “Czech me out” whatnot from Prague. So clever.
Any “Czech me out” whatnot from Prague. So clever.
7.
Nordic sweaters (Norway aka Norge). This style is prevalent world wide and the traditional ones found in Norway are made of itchy wool. Wait ‘til you get home and go for cotton or cashmere.
Nordic sweaters (Norway aka Norge). This style is prevalent world wide and the traditional ones found in Norway are made of itchy wool. Wait ‘til you get home and go for cotton or cashmere.
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| Photo credit:/http://www.classygirlswearpearls.com |
8.
Swiss watch/swatch (Switzerland)
Swiss watch/swatch (Switzerland)
9.
Delft Blue Ceramics (The Nederlands aka Holland)
Delft Blue Ceramics (The Nederlands aka Holland)
10.
Wooden shoe (The Nederlands aka Holland)
Wooden shoe (The Nederlands aka Holland)
11.
Barrett & scarf (France)
Barrett & scarf (France)
12.
Perfume (France)
Perfume (France)
13.
Art (France)
Art (France)
14. Champagne (France)
15.
Hungarian Embroidery or Lace
Hungarian Embroidery or Lace
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| So pay no mind to the Belgian hottie next to me, my top is an example of Hungarian embroidery. Now, if you can take home a Belgian souvenir like the one to my left, good on you! |
16.
BMW/Benz/Porshe (Germany) Think, demo version, tax fee, no American dealership middle man fee, no import costs (provide it you’re not shipping it back to the states)
BMW/Benz/Porshe (Germany) Think, demo version, tax fee, no American dealership middle man fee, no import costs (provide it you’re not shipping it back to the states)
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| I never understood car love until I met this car. Sexiest thing on the Autobahn. |
17.
Chicken pitcher (Italy). These pitchers have an interesting history. I thought they were tacky until I learned they were linked to Giuliano Medici murder plot. Such drama behind the chicken. Now they are given as luck to ward off trespassers!
Chicken pitcher (Italy). These pitchers have an interesting history. I thought they were tacky until I learned they were linked to Giuliano Medici murder plot. Such drama behind the chicken. Now they are given as luck to ward off trespassers!
18.
Wine (Italy, Spain, Hungary, Germany)
Wine (Italy, Spain, Hungary, Germany)
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| I look like a total lush but trust, these wine bottles are full! One is even personalized with my pic! |
19.
Beer stein (Germany)
20.
Nesting dolls (Ukraine, Russia, or Eastern European states).
Nesting dolls (Ukraine, Russia, or Eastern European states).
Of course, the most valued trinkets from your travels are going to be the new best friend you make on your adventures, photos of you on snow covered Alps, or being silly by the Eiffel tower, or in front of the coliseum. A postcard stamped at a European post will tickle friends as much as any other what not ot thinger mabob.
1 Comment
Good list Belle! I bought a cuckoo clock when I went to Germany over the summer. However, a lot of people were saying you really need to watch out for "fake" ones. I found this article (http://www.bavarianclockworks.com/7-steps-to-buying-an-authentic-cuckoo-clock/) that helped give me a break down of what to look out for. Make sure you check but they are absolutely beautiful clocks!
November 6, 2015 at 11:38 am