What are good souvenirs to collect while backpacking? I will be spending 3 months in Europe and would like to collect something--other than photos--of every place I visit. In the past, I would collect shot glasses but that is obviously impractical and would like a new tradition.

Thanks!

Obviously they have to be small and light, so refrigerator magnets? Beer coasters? Telephone numbers of attractive people you meet? The possibilities are endless, just make sure your souvenirs are not in the form of bacteria!

Key rings perhaps? You can join them altogether and attach them to the back pack if you like. Cheap and cheerful.

Actually, there is a good souvenir to collect that is both lightweight and small that is found pretty much everywhere in Europe as well as much of the rest of the world.

You know those little metal badges that can go on a hat, lapel or backpack.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/141523...-1/s-l1000.jpg


They're also popular in a slightly different nail on version for putting on hiking/walking sticks.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UfgAAO...LAI/s-l300.jpg


My wife has a baseball hat she can't wear anymore because it is covered in them and is too heavy now. LOL. It's also prickly on the inside. She has also 2 hiking sticks covered in the other kind as well. Nearly time to buy her a new stick.

OK this is sooooo weird, I know, but I like to pick up kitchen dish towels! Easy to roll up, don't take up room and I've enjoyed remembering when and where I've picked them up. Also good gifts. Call me nuts but.....

That really depends on what you like. For example I collect bookmark of (almost) every town I've been, the artistic ones if possible; at the moment it makes for a very nice and rich collection which isn't bigger than a purse and isn't heavier than newspaper. I'm often in the process of reading 5 or 6 books at the same time (and never finish them) so those bookmarks are practical for me.

Something else not heavy or big are: beer opener, key ring (personally these 2 are not my favorite), facial towel, local spice/candy (they sell really small cute jar of all kind of foods in Europe),...

I like bookmarks, too, and often bring them home as gifts for family and friends.

I love the small coffee spoons. I also like tea towels. I have my Harrod tea towels still that are five years old and some that are twenty from Ireland. In Paris I go to E.Dehillerin. My sister inlaw was telling me how often she uses the pastry scraper I bought her from there. They have wood kitchen items with made in France written on them. I like items to have been made in the country I am visiting.

I'm a big fan of buying things that will be useful at home. For instance, take fewer clothes than you think you'll need and buy more along the way. There are some stylish and inexpensive chain stores in Europe like Monoprix in France. I also buy kitchen gadgets when I see something I don't have and that I'll use, sometimes along the way too, like a mug to make tea in my room. Every time I use any of the things I've mentioned I remember where it came from.

Disposable paper restaurant placements with their logo. Fold, light.
Can frame the best ones at home and display.

'Placemats'

Earrings or silky scarves - printed or plain? Both are very light and easy to carry. You can use these to dress up a plain outfit or easily vary your look a bit. If you're travelling for 3 months you'll no doubt get sick of your limited clothing.

I also like to buy practical things we will use at home and every time we use it, it evokes a memory. We bought two blue pottery coffee mugs painted with lemons on them years ago in Italy and every time I use the only one left, I think of Siena.

Kay

I like to collect maps. They go nicely with photos, as they depict where you've been and what you've seen. They're probably something that you use in your travels, so they have meaning in that regard. They're small, cheap (or free) and easy to pack.

If you go this route, I'd suggest getting a decently durable and nice map.

OP is a 20-something yo male. Kind of doubt he is interested in tea towels, silk scarves, or earrings unless buying for females back home!

I've collected magnets and love seeing them on my fridge at home...however now with kids they've damaged quite a few. Good reason to go back and keep getting them!

I used to collect bookmarks, but gave up a few years ago. I have a collection now and no idea what to do with them. Nobody seems to want them and I don't want to just throw them away.
I no longer collect souvenirs for myself but I do buy key rings for my grandsons. That is why I suggested key rings.

I am glad my husband brings me home tea towels and kitchen items. He went to the Coleman Mustard museum and love the big shopping bag he bought me. Heavier than normal and the tea towel I am hanging.
If it is just for him collect the different beer coasters along your stops. Some are regional. I roll up at least one menu from one of the Oktoberfest tents and frame. The designs are great on them each year. Buy a small tube at post office so they don't bend.

I too like beer coasters - from cafes -lightweight and good memories of each brew.

I once was on a bike trip where a guy collected rocks!

I have several friends who collect rocks too. But the convenient is:
- If you pass by many towns during 3 months, that can become heavy
- When you look back at the rocks, you don't see which town it's from. Or, do you? Perhaps the prettiest rock came from France?

I meant the inconvenience.