Choose tasty presents based on the recipient's particular favorites for successful souvenir gifts. Coffee lovers are thrilled by bags of local coffee beans. These, as well as local herbal teas, are light, easily packable and inexpensive souvenirs. Chili fans appreciate new types of dried peppers and small bottles of sauce. Packing a sheet or two of bubble wrap ensures extra protection for fragile souvenirs. Foods such as cookies, cakes, sweets and snacks unique to your location are all good choices, if they are not similar to those you can buy at home.
Ask around to take advantage of deals locals take for granted. Shop at the same stores they do, and avoid overpriced gift shop items. Try searching nearby markets, especially farmer and flea markets. Look for local craft stalls. Even local pharmacies and supermarkets offer unusual variations on familiar products, such as toiletries and stationery. If you're pressed for time and must choose from gift shop souvenirs, look for museum or art gallery stores, where your cash goes toward supporting the institution and the quality of gifts is usually higher.
Ask yourself what the location you've vising is famous for, and bring home variations on that theme. For example, miniatures of the Parisian Eiffel Tower and Swiss chocolates are both legendary souvenirs. Learn the story behind local products, take photographs and share this information with the recipient for added local color. Attend any local festivals or celebrations to find less common souvenirs. Hispanic areas celebrating the Mexican "Day of the Dead," on November 1, offer rich pickings for souvenir hunters, with items like copal incense, skeleton toys, candy skulls and tiny religious statuettes.
Shop ahead of time for Christmas, Easter or birthdays to ensure a plentiful supply of presents for the coming year. Traditional Christmas ornaments made of all kinds of materials, from glass to bread and wood are inventive souvenirs to bring home from other countries and cultures. Small handmade wooden toys you can adapt to hang from trees make unique ornaments and souvenirs. Locally crafted toy dolls or models of female saints from countries like Russia, China and Japan make unusual treetop angels.
