CWH

Cool thread! Since I like to cook, I collect regional cookbooks for souveniers. Even foreign countries have English translations for their popular cookbooks. I also like to buy charms for my bracelet. Additionally, I have a small tray with a glass cover, where I display photo's, museum passes, train/airline tickets. I love to travel so much, I have a travel wall in one room that is full of framed photo's of all our destinations.

MrsKiss

1. Always something silver from Mexico a beer mug from Germany, etc...the areas unique article!
2. Collector spoons
3. Postcards
4. If there are names on stir sticks when I get a drink, I keep them!
5. Turtles!
6. My photos are my collection that mean the most and bring the most memories.

Vera

In foreign countries, I try to find a really good craft store (many countries have a semi-official one) and get something made in the area. Needlework, particularly pillow covers travel well. However, my number one souvenir is a Christmas ornament. Many times it is just something that will hang on the tree (Chinese opera puppets, a keychain of Singapore's tram, a miniature Crete shoe, etc.)I no longer have any "normal Chirstmas ornaments--the entire tree is souvenirs from places we have been.
2nd, I try to get a tile. Unlike the other poster, they are not in a box, they are hanging on my kitchen walls. 3rd, I like to bring back a flag from the country. (Surprised nobody has mentioned flags) Sometimes it is impossible to find one, because many countries don't think flags are as important as people in the US do.

Vera

amwosu

Got a little shark tattoo on the small of my back over Spring Break in Tampa to celebrate completing my SCUBA Open Water certification. My son wanted one as he also completed his certification dives but the tattoo parlor had a policy against clients under 18 even with parental consent.

kswl

Scarves. Then, when I wear them, I think of the trip. Occasionally I don't get a scarf, especially on a domestic trip. Then I sometimes go on ebay and get a vintage **tacky*** scarf of the state---you know, those old ones with maps. I love those things! They're fun to wear, too.

JRP

Used to be t-shirts, but they wear out and get tossed. Recently it's been shot glasses- inexpensive, easy to display and always functional! Though I'd been there a dozen times, I just got my first Niagara Falls glass from my daughter. Also, I love photographing colorful doors and windows. I now have a collection of those from around the world. Oh, and I bring home rocks for an associate at work.

JCV

I always try to collect a Christmas ornament or something that can be used as a Christmas ornament.

cmcfong

dolls in native dress for a namesake child
yarn to knit purses or hats with
woven items and pottery items (if they will fit in the carry on...I never check luggage)
Christmas ornaments

ronkala

Memories.

alfisol

Postcards - I have a large collection, thousands, but I only buy cards of places or things I actually saw while travelling.

A little stuffed animal to remind me of the trip - just got a Mozart bear in Vienna, in the past got a U Montana griz bear in Missoula, a bull in Madrid, a penguin in New Zealand, and too many others to list.

I also tend to buy local tote bags and t-shirts.

Citylghts

As a general hobby, I collect and study flags. (It's officially called vexillology.) When I travel someplace, I try to find a flag store and buy one about 3x5 ft. or 1x2m. Usually, I'll get the national, state or province flag and avoid city flags to keep my collection to a managable size. Occasionally, I'll buy a historical flag of that area.

I also keep a calendar and fly them on appropriate holidays. When friends teach their classes about other countries or areas, I always get a phone call for props.