It’s best to have some particular person in
mind when purchasing your souvenirs. While it won't hurt a thing to
give a state emblem ash tray to a
person who doesn’t smoke, you probably don’t want to give one to
a person who has recently kicked the habit. Unless you go to
extremes it isn't the size and it isn't the price that matters most.
It's the thought. If you have a lot of children in your extended
family or even special neighbors, be sure to have enough souvenirs
to go around. People who get left out can feel slighted. It is a
good idea to buy a few extras just in case you happen to forget
somebody. Remember too that the most important people on your list
is you and your spouse.
The most popular and least expensive mementos are those little
refrigerator magnets in the shape of a particular state or with the
state’s image on it. There are also cigarette lighters, ash trays,
shot glasses, coffee mugs and travel mugs. You don’t have to be a
smoker or a coffee drinker to buy or receive one of these items as
their real function is to be displayed.
Key chains, bumper stickers, window decals, miniature spoons, glass
bells and miniature tea sets, all depicting the image or name of the
state or country, will also make great souvenirs and gifts. These
are items that make great gifts for relatives and neighbors. Like
Grandma, some people own a fine collection of miniature spoons or
tea sets and souvenirs like this can make a fine addition to their
collection. Souvenirs that can be worn or used often, such as:
t-shirts, sweat shirts, baseball hats, jackets, pens, stationary and
coolers with the state or country’s namesake imprinted on it will
remind the receiver more often that you love them and thought of
them. These also make great gifts for yourself, your family, or for
kids of any age.
You'll also want to collect things which are special to some state
or country. I've had one
handwoven
and dyed Navajo blanket from Gallup New Mexico for over forty
years now. Part with it? Huh UH! That blanket is SPECIAL. Some great
souvenirs from Canada are Point Blankets. These are beautiful and
warm blankets that were first offered for trade in the late 1600's
by the Native Americans. The “points” (the short lines on the
blanket) is a reference to the maximum number of beaver pelts that
were to be traded for the blanket. From France you might want to
bring home some genuine limoges. Ale cups from England can be
intricate mementos that bring fond memories for centuries.
Souvenirs can also serve to help sponsor organizations that are
doing good work. For example, when you buy one of the engraved rocks
from the Heavener Runestone park in
Oklahoma about half of those funds are used for upkeep and park
maintenance. Any time one of your visitors notices one of your
engraved rocks it will point them to a visit there too. |
