hetismij2

We don't tend to bring anything back, except photos and memories.

We used to, but I am fed up with so much "stuff" especially stuff that needs dusting. We have some lovely prints we have purchased in various places, but we don't have enough wall space for any more.

We were going to bring back wine from Provence last year, but somehow it "evaporated" between Provence and the Netherlands.

If we go to the UK I stock up on some foods we miss here, or which are to expensive here, but that doesn't count towards souvenirs.

artsnletters

I used to always bring home bookmarks - lightweight, cheap, easy to pack, great reminders of good times when I was reading. Now that I mostly read on my kindle, I have gotten into fridge magnets - the flat, square or rectangular kind, usually of artwork I have seen. I have about three rows of magnets across the top and columns about halfway down the sides My thought is someday it will be covered and look something like a mosaic. Anything else is usually pretty random. Some of them:

Brass rubbings
Wool sweaters from Ireland
Silk prayer rug from Istanbul
Small flat blue rug with dolphins (gone now)
Real alabaster statue of two dolphins (very beautiful, broken by my son when he was four or it would still be on display)
Glass beads (back when they were all made in Venice) and a glass parrot from Venice
Provencal table linens
Bars of soap from Provence
Greek oregano (wonderful) and saffron (unbelievably cheap)
Greek olive oil in cans
Gifts for others, often upon specific request

ON my first trip in 1984, four months long and hitting almost every country except Scandinavia, Portugal, and countries then behind the Iron Curtain except for Bulgaria and what was then Yugoslavia, I bought a lot of stuff, but I don't think I have any of it now except for the bookmarks.

artsnletters

And of course lots and lots of photos, which I make into posters that I hang in my cubicle at work and books.

crefloors

Scarves in Paris. I always try to find a perfume that I can't get in the US.

I have a framed metro ticket from a market on Edgar Quinet, a painting from Montmartre. I got tea at Harrods and have the tin. I got a tin of cookies at Galaries Lafayette just because it was beautiful. The cookies were horrible. LOL Some small poster reprints, post cards of the old city of Paris. Had them framed.

Mustard from Maille and some fabulous blood orange marmalade from Fortnum and Mason. I almost cried when I finally finished it.

Cards with some pretty drawings of Hans Christian Anderson characters. I have frames but haven't finished that project yet. Tomptees from Stockholm and Christmas ornaments from the Christmas market at Tivoli.

Embroidered place mats and napkins from a linen shop in Paris and a couple of table clothes from Bouchera.

Gorgeous art deco sterling silver earrings with a purple metal shaped like a tulip from the Victoria and Albert gift shop.

I have six of those really inexpensive "charcoal" drawings you get at a zillion gift shops all over. I framed them and I love them. I have the usually scenes, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dam.

So, it's things like that.

I love to shop. LOL

hetismij2

artsnletters, I used to bring back bookmarks too. I have quite a collection now, and I am stumped as to what to do with them, since I no longer use them, or really want them.

Pegontheroad

I forgot about beer coasters. I have a ton of them.

bvlenci

I usually don't bring back anything, but occasionally I see something I really want or need, and bring it back. On my last trip to the US, I brought back an Amish quilt, and I'm loving it. That was quite a packing challenge! We needed a new bed cover anyway. For similar reasons, I bought a tablecloth in Avignon.

One thing I do bring home very often, but not just from vacations, is cloth shopping bags with the name of a museum I've visited or a city we've stayed in. They're very useful and every time I use one, I remember a pleasant experience. I also give these as little gifts sometimes.

colduphere

Deep insights.

Iwan2go

Small things, and not TOO many because at some point my husband says, “I didn’t come to ____ to shop”. Like, hel-lo, I am in Paris/Florence/Prague and I’m getting something.

Jewelry, scarves (nothing I have to really try on), Christmas ornaments, little presents for the grandchildren. Lauduree macarons and Maison du Chocolat insulated bags at CDG. Mariage Frere tea for SIL.

I’ve already bookmarked a jewelry store in Florence, which we shall just happen to stroll by. “Oh look! Just what I wanted”. And the Pharmacia at Santa Maria Novella, that sounds wonderful.

Southam

If an art gallery or museum has a special exhibit, it may also be selling a poster that will be framed with my enjoyment. I carry a narrow-diameter mail tube in my suitcase, just for protection rather than to mail. It also forces me to be judicious about the size of what I pick up.
However cliché, some tea towels can be ingenious enough to prompt a smile each time you dry a pot or dish. Easy to transport, too.

annhig

I often buy postcards [especially when photos aren't allowed or a fee is required] and use them as bookmarks. At the moment I'm using some that I bought at the Basilica on Torcello when we were in Venice with our children and every time I open the book I'm reading, I am reminded of that lovely trip.

StCirq

Funny thing is, I don't like to shop at all. I just get big stuff, like...a house.

flpab

Usually a print to hang.
In Germany I buy spice packets for Goulash, they are four times the amount at our German deli. Love the mustard in the tubes also.
I buy Jamesons and Tullamore dew at duty free. Tullamore had a two for 24 euro deal last trip and exchange was low so great deal. I really pick up a lot at duty free for last minute gifts.
Paris I always go to E.Dehillerin and buy made in France Eiffel tower cookie cutters for gifts. Last trip bought the nicest tart pans for my niece.
Calendars if it is Nov or December.
I love tea towels from Harrods.

Fodorite018

I love to shop, but only want things that I truly love and will enjoy. I really like buying kitchen towels and tablecloths, as those gets used daily. I usually look for something unique to an area.

Whathello

What can you bring back ?

La gueule de bois !

dfourh

From Germany four times a year:

Gelomyrtol-Forte (top selling over-the-counter product in German pharmacies; a derivative of the myrtle plant; tones the sinuses to minimize inflamation and reduce chance of sinusitis)

Mustard: extra sharp Löwensenf, and middle-sharp Kühne Senf mittelscharf - - both in tubes

Hela Curry Gewürz Ketchup (Scharf); in the large plastic bottle

Trump Edle Tropfen chocolates filled with booze - - multiple varieties; very reasonable price; phenomenal product; booze-filled chocolates used to be banned by customs but not any more - - I pick these up at the Hamburg airport in the grocery store downstairs for under 3 Euro: https://www.allyouneedfresh.de/cat/S...175&artid=3448

danon

soap from Spain : Heno de Pravia
not much else

wantgelato

Chocolates from Switzerland (including hot chocolate)

Little figurines from different countries to go in my curio cabinet

Scarves and earrings (from Italy, Austria, and Ireland)

Cute tea set from Austria

Cute little clock from the Black Forrest

Lovely place mats from all over

flpab

Gelomyrtol-Forte, must remember that.

Micheline

Whathello - qu'est-ce que c'est La gueule de bois?