Souvenirs

What travellers bring home, something small, something sweet, which keeps the memories of the travel he enjoyed alive...

Souvenir can be a famous landmark, a swiss army knife, a chinese fan, a british car model or even posters of european theme. We can buy souvenirs for ourself to keep the memory of the trip evergreen or for friends and relatives as a gift after the wonderful holiday. Whether it is asia or europe it is easy to find souvenir shops, which sell attractive souvenirs. The difficult part is what to buy. So whenever you shop for souvenirs keep in mind the list of people you plan to give souvenirs and their taste. Always go for something small, within your budget,because no one want to return home carrying a huge luggage of souvenirs.

Tips on souvenir shopping

* Always buy souvenirs from places other than tourist centres,where it wil be cheaper.
* Please dont buy souvenirs made from wildlife
* Avoid buyin generic items
* Beach souvenirs with bottled sand and sea shells make simple but unique souvenirs

One of my friends whenever she returns from a trip brings me something cute and small which I treasure due to its cuteness and the way it reminds me of the country he visited.( I love the small jewel box with a mirror inside from malaysia...). Also keep in mind it is not the cost or the size that matters, what matters is that we remember our loved ones even during our trips. In this blog I have gathered information on souvenirs which will be helpful for travellers all over the world, whether it is to decorate our room,to gift after a travel, or to gift for wedding or other occasions

" Gift comes in different sizes, but with souvenirs it is just one size, the size of our love for our loved ones"

Souvenirs Egypt

Souvenirs Turkey

Souvenirs UK

Souvenirs of India

India,the land of unity in diversity boasts a tradition of rich heritage in arts and crafts. Souvenirs from India,always unique,exhibit the fine craftsmanship of the artisans of india. It is difficult to find a souvenir of India which doesnt show the love of art of indians.Indians speak hindi but most of the Indians can speak english. Indian currency unit is indian rupee.(1USD= Indian rupee)

Ethnic wears

Ethnic wear of females of India is saree and of makes is dhoti and shirt. It will have slight variations from state to state. Cotton and kanchipuram silk sarees are unique souvenirs from India. Cotton and silk skirts with rich rajastani mirror work steals everyones eyes. One can also buy excellent silk made of fine silk threads to stitch dresses.One of my foreign friend when she recently visited India bought silk to stitch cushion covers..

Jewellery

Unique hand made jewellery made of silver,gold and other precious stones is a speciality of India. If you want to try something fully ethnic you can go for a nose ring or a toe ring. Glass bangles are cheap and are available in almost every imaginable color which can be gifted to a funky jewellery lover.

Spice boxes

You can find wooden boxes or boxes made of coconut shell with spices inside which can be a rich souvenir to your friends. These boxes may be made of compartments, which contains spices such as clove,cinnamon and pepper.

Statues of indian idols

Statues of indian idols made of brass or wood will be available in almost all craft shops all over India. There are people all over world who loves collecting idols of lord ganesha,the elephant god. Statues made of sandal wood are also available but are expensive.

Tajmahal miniatures

Tajmahal,one of the seven wonders of the world is in India. It was built by emperor Shajahan in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz. Miniatures of this beautiful architecture can be a good souvenir for your lover. Its difficult to find a souvenir of India which represents the whole of India

Handicrafts

Handicrafts of India is of wide variety as each of the 28 states of India,boasts their own crafts,making it difficult for travellers to find an apt souvenir of India. Wood carvings,wall hangings,dhurries,embroideried exhibits and many more. If you are planning to go to south India you can buy coconut shell crafts and carved snake boats and elephants.

Malaysian souvenir shopping

Malaysia, the multicultural,beautiful island in Asia is inhabited by ethnic groups- malays, chinese, indians and other indigenous group. Official language of malaysia is malay language and currency unit is Ringgat Malaysia (USD 1= RM 3.60). Being a land of multiculture malaysia offers travellers a wide variety of souvenirs.Malaysian souvenir shopping is real fun.

Dodol

Dodol is a toffy made of coconut,milk,jaggery and rice flour, served during festivals,weddings and other celebrations. It is available in almost all food stores

Sompoton, Gongs(traditional musical instruments)

Sompoton made of gourd and bamboo pipes & Gongs made of iron sheets are two traditional instruments used during harvest festivats, weddings and birthdays

KLCC Pewter Miniatures

Kaula Lumpur city centre complex miniature form, is a souvenir every one brings home from malaysia. One can get cheap ones from the flea markets in malaysia.

Wayang Souvenirs

Wayang is a shadow puppet theatre performed in Malaysia. Puppets made of leather are expensive but less expensive puppets made of card board are available. Wayang art is commercially being used on t-shirts, cups and even bookmarks. Anything with Wayang art on it will make a wonderful souvenir for sure

Pewter

Pewter is a metal made of 85 to 99% tin and rest being copper and antimony. Pewter artifacts, form decorative items for your interiors. Pewter mugs,flower vases,statues,coins and pendents are good souvenirs for art loving people.

Menkuang leaf products

Baskets,bags,boxes,hats,wallets,food covers,and fans made of menkuang leaf are ideal souvenirs for friends who love nature

Baju melayu/Baju kurung( national costume)

Baju melayu is the national dress of malaysia which consists of a loose shirt and long trousers. Over the trousers they wrap a sarung around the waist. An ornate headgear called sangok is also used. Women wear baju kurung which consists of sarung and blouse. Sarung with batik design is very fashionable.

Batik souvenirs

Batik ( wax printing) products can be a good souvenir as no two pieces of batik are exactly alike. Batik is used to design sarungs,shirts,duvets,bed sheets,table clothes and wood cravings of reasonable price. Batik products form a major chunk of Malaysian souvenir shopping.

Tikar sarawak(bamboo carpet)

Tikar sarawak is carpet made of bamboo,which can be used for performing yoga. It can be used for picnics and sunbath

Souvenirs Japan

Japanese hand crafted dolls

Dolls ,a part of japanese are available in wide varieties. Popular ones are daruma dolls, kokeshi dolls and hakata dolls. Hina dolls displayed during girl's festival and samurai dolls exhibited during boy's festival are also popular.

Traditional japanese music

Japanese music is interesting. You can buy CDs of different musical wings such as gakaku, biwagaku, nogaku, sokyoku or mingo(japanese folk songs). Local shops help by playing the song and you can choose your favorite. Another interesting souvenir is japanese musical instruments such as kabuki, bunraku, No, enka and J-pop.

Bento boxes

Bento is a traditional japanese cuisine which consists of rice,meat or fish and pickles. Bento is packed in beautiful handcrafted lacquerware which can be a traditional souvenir from japan

Samurai swords

Katana or samurai swords are curved swords with blade length more than 60 cm. It represents feudal Japan.

Tatani mat

Traditional japanese flooring,it is made of woven straw or styrofoam. These natural mats are perfect for yoga and meditation. They are stain resistant and long lasting.

Maneki neko

The welcoming cat or the fortune cat is a japanese porcelain or ceramic sculpture which is good luck to the owner. It is the sculpture of a cat beckoning with a paw.

Kimono/yukata

Traditional dress of Japan, kimono,is a robe secured by a belt tied at the back made of beautiful silk. This is a perfect souvenir of Japan. You can also buy yukata,a summer wear made of cotton which is a simpler dress,compared to kimono.

Japanese paper fans

Japanese paper fans are an all time favorite,economical and easy to carry. It is made of paper or feathers, with decorative art work.

Tamagotchi

He he...a digital pet from Japan,an excellent souvenir for a kid. It is an egg shaped computer which is released in about 44 versions.

Macha(green tea powder)

Japanese tea ceremony is famous. Macha is made from shade grown tea leaves. Green tea is considered healthy all over the world. So you can buy this for a friend or relative who is health conscious.

Japanese amulets

Japanese amulets popularly known as omamori, is used to ward off bad luck. It is used for protection and is often hung on bags,cars,cellphones etc