It’s sad but true: we’re often emotionally attached to the clutter that fills our homes. That’s why we’ve held onto those things for years–they hold some meaning and memories we’re afraid we’ll lose otherwise.
Travel is a huge culprit when it comes to accumulating stuff. Nothing captures this reality better than the term, souvenir shopping.
And why should we be surprised? Whenever we travel, we carry a tiny percentage of our belongings with us– giving us the illusion that we don’t already have too many things at home.
Plus, part of the travel experience for many of us is to shop at our destination. For better or for worse, shopping is often equated with touring, and it’s hard to resist.
Compounding this dilemma is the fact that local industries often rely on foreign tourists to bring money into their small economies. Artisans, restauranteurs, guides and hotel owners “need” us for business.
So how do we travel in a manner that cherishes those experiences without lugging home a suitcase full of things we don’t need?
5 Tips For Clutter-Free Travel
1) Give yourself a purchase limit: by item, not dollar.
Sometimes it’s tempting to buy everything at the markets because they are “so cheap!”. But think realistically about what you will actually use, and give yourself a numerical limit on the total number of items you will purchase. Challenge: keep it under 10 items.
2) Spend on special experiences instead of things.
Tea ceremonies, cooking classes, canoeing trips and hot air balloon rides are all excellent alternatives to spending money on souvenirs. You’ll come back with great photos and memories, and you will have helped the economy too.
3) Consider your home context every time you want to buy something.
A poncho from Peru? A fan from Japan? Believe me, it’s hard not to want these treasures. But think about your life at home: when will you wear or use these items? Would you buy them if you saw them in a shop in your hometown?
4) Bargain with clutter-free in mind.
If you’re in a country where bargaining is habit, be careful about going home with things you didn’t originally want. Sometimes we think we’ve snagged a “good deal” when really, the vendor has convinced us to purchase an item we don’t love.
5) Know the difference between shopping and generosity.
Sure, supporting local businesses is generally a good thing. However, just because you’ve purchased something does not mean you’ve given money to charity. If there’s a cause you feel strongly about, allow yourself to simply be generous. You don’t have to receive a scarf or bag every time you give.
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So good!! I feel the urge to buy myself and my family a bunch of souvenirs, but really, I know my family doesn’t want the clutter either! I especially love tip #2 — I’d much rather spend money on experiences and come home with the memories and photos! With that one, I guess the important trick is to clean up the photo clutter on my camera and my phone. 🙂
Awesome tips Daisy!! I have been guilty of buying things just because they are cheap, but I love this mindset and I will definitely try to practice it the next time I travel! 🙂
That’s a great thing to buy– and a lovely piece to put up on your wall!
I’m so glad this resonated with you Rachel! And I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks that shopping isn’t the only way to give. I understand the need for incentives sometimes, but it’s not always the healthiest way to think about generosity. I think you’ve got it just right– I agree that there are things I only need one of! Here in Ecuador they make gorgeous backpacks, but I didn’t get one because I already have a backpack I love!
I like to buy a print from a local artist to frame when I return home. It is a good way to remember a special vacation.
“You don’t have to receive a scarf or bag every time you give.” Yes yes yes! Organizations that combine shopping + giving to others are great and definitely have their place, but it’s good to beware the idea that we need to receive something for ourselves every time we give. It’s okay to give without getting anything in return, and we need to maintain that kind of mindset. Angel’s and my strategy is usually to buy one really useful household item on each trip (although sometimes we don’t buy anything…like in Hawaii). We bought our salt shakers on our honeymoon, and a cool ice cream scoop on a trip after we’d been married two years (because we made it through two years without owning an ice cream scoop but still, they’re nice to have!). I got a purse in Cambodia–I’m a one-purse girl, and I already have a purse, but I loved this one and I’ll use it after my current one breaks (my one purse usually only lasts through a year or so of daily use before crumbling, haha!)
Thanks Mica! I enjoy purchasing jewelry every once in a while, since I know I’ll use it for years to come!
Thanks Adriana! And that’s a great point! 🙂
Ah thanks girl! You know, it’s probably a good thing to be married to someone who hates clutter 😉
Thank you Monica! Yes, especially on long trips we need to be mindful of how much space we actually have!
These are great tips! 🙂 I’ve certainly found myself only buying one or two souvenirs from holidays so I don’t bring too much back, I like to buy clothes or accessories, things I can use frequently to remind me of my trips! 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Great tips! I’m definitely going to use the first two even when I don’t travel!
fabulous, fabulous tips! my husband swears clutter is his nemesis, so we are not big on ‘stuff’ anyway, so it helps us on #2 to put our budget into the local experiences! the only time we’ve ever gone overboard was in morocco and as i type this, our living room makes me so happy to look around at our moroccan influence in san francisco!
These are wonderful ideas. On our big overseas trip to Asia this summer, we had to be very careful about our spending and space in regards to how many souvenirs we brought back to the states. Usually the photos that I take are our own personal souvenirs and then we try to find something small and useful for friends and family to bring back.
Good call! Just because a location specializes in a certain product doesn’t mean we have to haul it home!
That is SO true. There are local handicrafts, but all the figurines and random bits are usually all from the same manufacturer (but actually).
Exactly! I think that spending time experiencing the place rather than shopping only is what will jog our memories! And photos too! 🙂 Thanks for reading, Jill.
Yes!! I occasionally purchase jewelry that fits my style, because I know I’m going to use it! and really, I agree with you on the items from friends. I agree that bringing back food (such as local chocolate, teas or spices) are usually a good idea!
Thanks girl!! 🙂
So glad you agree with this– you’re right about those objects that don’t fit in our homes, and end up sitting somewhere dark, unexposed.
I only purchased a mini Colosseum in Rome (it fits in the palm of my hand) for 1 Euro. It was the only souvenir I wanted. Everyone thought I was crazy for not buying some Italian leather or a million other things, but I was content with my mini landmark. 🙂
Yes! I’ve developed a really good eye for those things we’d never actually use in “real life.” When it comes down to it, the “stuff” they sell in markets and souvenir shops rarely differ very much from place to place.
Oh this is so true!!! I often get home and realize I bought something I didn’t really need and will not likely use. For some reason we all tend to feel that taking home a souvenir will somehow help us remember our trip better.
My go-to souvenir is typically a postcard or local artist’s work that I can frame for my collage wall, or a small figurine of a local landmark. But as I travel more and more I realize that my own photos are the best souvenir.
I’m kinda petty, but it drives me crazy when people bring me souvenirs. Why do I want a shotglass that says Cleveland on it? I’ve never been there! But then you feel obligated to keep it. I definitely appreciate the gesture, but I also keep this in mind and only bring back packaged food, like dates from Dubai or macarons from France. Everyone likes food or they can just give or throw that away.
Great great great tips, my friend! I like following your travel adventures. 🙂
Really great tips! I always think of the item and how it looks rather than if it will fit into my decor and furniture. If it doesn’t, I’ll be less likely to have it out and instead keep it stored away somewhere and what’s the point of that?! I also love photos of experiences as memories rather than items – building a photo wall is a great way to showcase your ‘souvenirs’ and be reminded of a wonderful experience. I regret many travel purchases in terms of cluttering my space but I do love the memories that come flooding back when I come across these items!