Okay, let's just file this True Story under "Over-Indulgent Parents": I know a mom who took her two children on a surprise trip to Disney World, but bought all of their Disney stuffed animals, "mouse ears", and princess costumes before the trip (secretly packing an extra suitcase), because she knew the same toys would be marked up inside the theme park and she didn't want to disappoint the kids by saying "no" to the souvenirs. I know she meant well, but it would seem (to me, anyway) that the plane tickets, the hotel room, the rental car and the gas, three restaurant meals and snacks each day for two parents and two kids, and a week's worth of park admission tickets to Disney World (have you seen those Disney ticket prices lately?) are more than enough of a gift to the kids, without throwing in a suitcase full of souvenirs that were probably all made in China.
Why do we buy souvenirs, anyway? Do we buy them to prove an experience happened, fearful we'll forget it if we don't have physical evidence of the place that we visited? Do we buy them to show off a fabulous vacation to our envious friends? Are we hoping to sprinkle a little of the vacation magic into our "real lives" which are not nearly as relaxing or glamorous as our getaways? Especially in America, where the standard vacation is two weeks off at the start of a job, perhaps we are trying to stave off the hunger for the next vacation by savoring a little taste of the last one? Do we buy souvenirs for the kids just because we want to avoid the whining and begging? (I've found one way to avert this last problem: I tell my kids that the toys live at the store. They don't question it, because what child wants to take someone away from his or her rightful home? Works for me!)
Generally, I am not a fan of giftshops, especially the ones that you have to walk through to exit the tourist attraction (seriously, what evil genius invented those?). However, if you're on the sentimental side like I am, sometimes you really do want to take home a little something special from the trip. (The key word there is "special", so you can skip the plastic snowglobes, nerve-rattling noise-makers, and polyester T-shirts.) Here are a few ideas for greener souvenirs, none of them made in China, and all of them more meaningful:
- Keep a trip journal--online or traditional spiral-bound. Even better, have your kids write some entries.
- Make a sketch. Or have your kids draw or paint a picture of your family on the trip. Frame it or just hang it with a magnet on the fridge.
- Take photos, and lots of them--it's so easy in the digital age to snap away. You can (and should) edit ruthlessly later. Let your kids snap some photos--their viewpoints are priceless. Plus, how else are you going to get pictures of yourself on the vacation?
- Free from the beach: The "perfect" stone; some pretty shells; a handful of pure white sand to keep in a recyled glass jar, labeled with the beach it's from.
- Ask the waiter if you can have a recipe from the chef (or at least the gist of it) and recreate the dish at home.
- Have a "Recollection Night" before you go. See below...
On the final night of our life-changing, two-week trip to Israel last year, my mother-in-law gathered our extended family--all eleven of us--in one of our hotel rooms and passed out a little informal survey, asking things like "What was your favorite meal on the trip?", "What was the most exciting thing you did?", "What did you learn about the country?", and "What was the funniest moment of the vacation?" Truth be told, the idea seemed a little corny at first, but you know what? It was so much fun to go around the circle and collectively remember our thoroughly amazing trip. Mental mementos: They're free, 100% green, perfect for sharing, and best of all, they don't take up any suitcase space!
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Your turn: What's your favorite souvenir from a vacation--and was it purchased, created, or found? Are you able to avoid the magnetic pull of the souvenir shop? Please share in the Comments section below. If you are reading this post via email subscription or mobile device, click on the title or go to www.JoyfullyGreen.com from a computer to see the comments and leave one of your own.
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