The Bleisure Dozen: 12 Souvenirs That Don’t Suck

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Parents and significant others often hear that question when they return from travel. A hotel soap or a bag of airplane peanuts simply doesn’t cut it. 

If you’re single, you may want to start a personal collection of memorabilia to bring back those wonderful bleisure living moments.

Of course, there’s the ubiquitous tee-shirt or hoodie, available at any gift shop. But they’re bulky to pack. Plus, if you travel a lot, you, your spouse or kid may get tired of looking like a walking or sleeping travel website.

So…here are some other travel gifts and collectibles that we think are a little bit off the grid:

1. Ornaments. Transform your holiday tree into a world map.
2. Magnets. Pick up some regional or international fridge flair and you’ll be wanderlusting every time you cook.
3. Coasters. You might be lucky enough to snag some good ones at the bar for free, or you can always pick up a fresh pack.
4. Regional Foods. Europe has some quirky candy bars and LaGuardia airport has a whole “Discover New York” store between Concourses B and C. Need more space in your suitcase? You can always eat the food before you travel and keep the wrappers as a momento. 
5. Keychains. Lose yourself in your memories, but don’t lose your keys!
6. Pens. Yeah… they’re sort of boring, but you can turn them into wall art or display in a fancy case.
7. Postcards. Never out of style. They can be framed or simply stacked in a box in your closet.
8. Shot Glasses. Breakable, but small enough to tuck into socks or undies for safe travels. Always great for a display.
9. Charms. Charm bracelets are back. And, with a small token from each place you’ve visited, your wrist becomes a portable memory keeper.
10. Tote bags. If you’re not already carrying your groceries home in a reusable tote, you should be. Be kind to the environment and reminisce about your favorite trip all at the same time. 
11. Pictures. Retro, but timeless… Take the best of your travel shots and use Blurb or Shutterfly to convert them into a photo album.
12. Tattoos. Sure, you could decal up your laptop up (like the steamer trunks of days passed), or you could decal up your body. A bit extreme? Maybe. Or perhaps just the best conversation starter ever… 

Photos: 
5: Honou
6: Custom Floaty Pens
12: BoredArt.com