When you travel, souvenirs are more than just keepsakes—they represent memories, and often reflect local culture.
It’s important to be intentional and thoughtful about how we approach memorializing our travels. This means choosing souvenirs that are locally made and responsibly sourced, and also re-imagining travel souvenirs as keepsakes that aren’t necessarily physical items.
Instead of buying generic, mass-produced items, making thoughtful purchases can help preserve cultural traditions and boost local economies. Read on to learn practical tips on how to shop ethically and make your travel memories truly meaningful.
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7 Tips for Responsible Souvenir Shopping
Let’s dive into 7 tips for intentional souvenir shopping. These tips will help you to be a more responsible tourist, and to memorialize your travels in a more meaningful way.
1. Prioritize Quality
If you’re noticing souvenirs that are carried in every shop, it’s likely that they are mass-produced in another country and imported to the country you’re visiting.
It’s easy to grab these mass-produced and typically inexpensive souvenirs, like keychains and magnets. But these souvenirs aren’t well-made and designed to last. In most cases, these trinkets will end up in a landfill.
Instead, choose well-made souvenirs that are locally made and will last, like handwoven textiles, ceramic pottery, or handcrafted jewelry.
Look for signs of quality like sturdy stitching, durable materials, and attention to detail. Rather than an item that’s manufactured in bulk, you’ll bring home unique keepsake that you can hold onto for the rest of your life!
For example, while traveling in Sicily, my partner and I visited the artisan studio of a Sicilian ceramics artist, near Palermo. We purchased a hand-painted ceramic spoon rest which has now been in our kitchen for years, and is used whenever we cook.
2. Support Local Artisans
The next time you’re looking at souvenirs that appear in all the shops of the country you’re visiting, check the packaging or label to see if it notes where the item is made. You might be surprised to see “Made in China” if you’re visiting Porto, Portugal!
Mass-produced souvenirs are often imported. Because they are produced abroad, these souvenirs won’t contribute as much to the local economy as purchasing locally-made goods will.
When you opt to buy artisan goods, you’re supporting local artists, and you’re often helping to preserve cultural heritage.
For example, there’s a multi-millennial long history of ceramic making in Sicily. Archaeologists in Sicily have dated pottery back to at least 2,400 BCE, making ceramics a long-standing cultural tradition.
This is why purchasing locally-made ceramics while in Sicily felt like the right way for my partner and I to memorialize our trip – by purchasing an artisan ceramic, we directly supported a local Sicilian engaged in preserving that aspect of Sicilian culture.
So how can you go about buying artisan souvenirs? The best way to do so is by buying directly from local artisans at markets or workshops where you can see the work being done.
Not only does this ensure your money goes to the local community, but it also helps preserve traditional skills that may be at risk of disappearing. Plus, meeting the maker and hearing the story behind the item makes it even more meaningful.
3. Do Your Research
When buying souvenirs, you want to make sure they are locally-made and responsibly-sourced. Often, you’ll need to do a bit of research, investigating, or question-asking to ensure this.
Sellers around the world are becoming increasingly aware of consumer mindfulness, and so they will often market items as “handcrafted” or “recycled.” Unfortunately, this isn’t always truthful.
Some souvenirs might look beautiful, but they could have ethical or environmental concerns tied to them. Do a little research before you buy. Questions you’ll want to consider include:
Are the materials sustainable? Were they made under fair working conditions? Are they made from endangered plants or animal products? Are they truly locally-made or made by an artisan?
It won’t always be easy to find concrete answers to these questions, but there’s a few simple things you can do to make it easier.
Look for and shop at reputable cooperatives and fair-trade markets. While in the shop, read any placards that you see displayed which provide more context or information about the item(s) for sale.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions, like, who made this? Where are they from? Why is this handicraft significant to this place? The person you talk to might not have answers, but it’s always worth a shot.
Finally, you’ll want to check if the country you’re traveling in has any certifications for authentic goods, and then check for that certification.
Avoid items that are made of or include illegal or at-risk materials like ivory, coral, shells, or anything made from protected wildlife. If you’re unsure, ask the seller or look for certification labels that indicate fair trade or eco-friendly practices.
Another important aspect of research is cultural respect. Souvenirs are meant to represent a place that is not our own. It’s crucial to consider whether the souvenirs you’re considering represent problematic cultural cliches, or encourage cultural appropriation.
And, some symbols or religious items might have deeply important sacred purpose or meaning, in which case, they should never be decorative. For example, it’s important to avoid buying Buddhist or Hindu prayer beads (mala) with the intention to use them as decorations rather than for religious practice.
And lastly, ensure the items you buy respect cultural traditions and don’t promote problematic or harmful cliches. The souvenirs you purchase should not exploit or misrepresent local culture. It may be relatively rare that you come across these instances, but it does happen.
For example, in Sicily, it’s common to see Mafia-related souvenirs sold in shops. Many of them glorify and romanticize the history of the Sicilian Mafia, making light of it.
The Mafia has had a devastating and lasting negative impact on Sicilians, and so representing the Mafia in souvenirs as a joke, cliche, or glorified idea, is problematic. In fact, one town in Sicily has banned such souvenirs.
The key point here is to always be mindful of what you’re buying. Find out and understand the item’s context, history, and intended purpose, and make sure it’s something that is appropriate to take home.
Quick tip: While in Sicily, rather than buying kitschy Mafia souvenirs, take the time to learn about the real impact of the Mafia in Palermo and throughout the island. In Palermo, you can go on the No Mafia walking tour, which is a unique tour that teaches the history of Mafia in Palermo, and the civil Anti-Mafia movement.
4. Choose Gifts With Intention
I know all too well the excitement of bringing gifts from a trip home with you, to give to friends and family. But it’s important to be intentional and thoughtful about these gifts.
Think deeply about what your friends or family would actually appreciate, rather than grabbing something last-minute, just out of habit. Consider whether it’s truly necessary to bring a gift home.
In my experience, a postcard with a personalized note written on it is more impactful than a t-shirt or a random shot glass. Postcards are becoming a bit of a lost art, which is a shame, because they can be such a meaningful gift to the special people in your life.
Postcards are a reminder that you are thinking of a person while you’re away, and you’ve taken the time to choose a postcard, write a note, and mail it. And the best part is, you can typically find beautiful, locally-made postcards on your travels, which you’ll want to choose over the mass-produced postcards that you see in every shop.
On the back of most postcards, it says where they are printed, and who the art or photograph is attributed to. The key here is to look for something local. These postcards will be more meaningful because they are connected to a local maker, and often have a story attached.
Aside from postcards, you can consider food or household items, like local spices, or handmade soaps. Tea, coffee, and chocolate also tend to go over well! By buying locally-made consumable goods, you’re supporting the local economy, and gifting an item that your loved one is guaranteed to use (or eat!).
Finally, when giving gifts to loved ones, try to share a story along with the gift. Tell your loved one who made it, where you bought it, why you bought it, and any meaning that it has to you, or to the place it is from.
Not only does this demonstrate thoughtful gift giving, but it creates an opportunity to share with your loved one, and create real context and meaning for the gift.
For example, when my partner and I bought our spoon rest in Sicily, we also bought one for my mom. When we gave it to her, we shared with her the story of how we came to visit this ceramic maker’s shop (he was a family friend!).
We told her about who he is, his family’s history of ceramic-making, and we showed her pictures of the shop. She uses her spoon rest regularly and has told us that because she knows so much about it’s origin, the spoon rest is a talking point when people come over to her home.
Mailing postcards home from Arusha, Tanzania
5. Buy Only What You’ll Truly Use and Keep
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of shopping while traveling, but try to be intentional with your purchases.
Ask yourself: Will I actually use or display this? Consider whether or not the item will have a place in your home, long-term. If it’s just going to collect dust, reconsider.
Instead, opt for souvenirs that serve a purpose—like a handmade bag you’ll use daily, a spice blend to cook with, a carpet for your bedroom, or a beautiful piece of art for your walls.
Focus on souvenirs that serve a practical purpose or hold real meaning to you, rather than accumulating clutter. The key to this is to consider how the item will fit into your life back home, and whether it will continue to bring you joy over time.
6. Avoid Haggling Too Hard
In many countries, haggling is part of the shopping culture, and a little back-and-forth negotiation is expected, whether you are budget traveling or not.
It’s important to participate in haggling when it’s a cultural norm in the country you’re visiting. When you don’t participate, it can drive up baseline prices for locals, who may not have the same spending power as you.
But be careful to avoid overdoing it when negotiating, too. The goal is to reach a price that is considered fair by both you and the vendor.
In many cases you’ll find that the price you negotiate down to may be higher for you compared to what a local would be expected to pay (this is commonly called the “tourist tax”). As long as you have done some negotiating and are comfortable with the price, this is okay!
7. Reimagine What a Souvenir Should Be
A souvenir doesn’t have to be something you buy, or even something physical. If you think beyond the usual keychains and magnets, you’ll find all kinds of creative ways to memorialize your trip.
Maybe it’s mailing yourself a postcard, keeping a travel journal, or collecting mementos like ticket stubs, transport tickets, or receipts – these can be made into scrapbooks! You can get a tattoo, take photos to later frame, or create a video montage of your trip.
Taking cooking or crafting classes are another unique way to create a “souvenir.” By participating in cultural learning, you can learn new skills to bring home and make part of your day-to-day life.
For example, after learning to make momos in Nepal, it’s become a regular meal that I make for myself at home, as well as for friends and family.
Lastly, remember that simply giving money versus purchasing a physical item is an option to.
In a discussion with JoAnna Haugen of Rooted Storytelling, she mentioned to me that you may not always find something you need or want to buy when browsing in local artisan shops. It isn’t a good thing to buy something just to buy something. JoAnna says that instead, we should consider giving a donation to the cooperative or collaborative.
This way, you can have a positive impact without bringing home an item that you don’t want, or that may end up in a landfill.
Supporting local artisans and communities doesn’t always have to be a transactional exchange. There are other responsible ways to leave money behind on your travels, and making donations is one of them.
Consider What Souvenirs Truly Hold Value
Choosing a meaningful souvenir is personal – it’s all about what feels special to you. Next time you’re traveling and want to bring a memento home, take a moment to consider what really holds value. You might just find that swapping a mass-produced trinket for a more meaningful way to memorialize your trip helps to keep your memories of a trip alive and close to you, for the long-term.
And if what holds value is a physical item (which is totally ok, too!), then remember: choose souvenirs that are locally made and responsibly sourced.
More responsible travel tips from Pina Travels:
- 8 Tips For Creating and Sharing Responsible Travel Content
- 12 Essential Sustainable Tourism Tips
- What is Economic Leakage in Tourism (& How to Prevent It)
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.
