When you go on holiday it is only natural to want to buy a few souvenirs as keepsakes, or gifts for family and friends. However it is easy to go mad and buy lots of expensive knick-knacks, so here is a quick list of some must-buy souvenirs that are small and are low cost and will remind you of your holiday with cluttering up your home:

thegreatpyramid

1. Charms – most countries have their own little charms, which can be incorporated into trinkets and attractive decorative pieces that can be easily displayed around the home. The nice thing about charms is that they embody the spirit and culture of the country you are visiting, and are very evocative reminders of where you have travelled. For example if you are going to Egypt then there are a wealth of ancient charms and pendants in motifs such as scarabs, which represent longevity and eternity or the ‘Eye of Horus‘ which is thought to be a powerful protective charm. If you are travelling in Turkey then the ‘Blue Eye’ charm is very popular and commonly made into trinkets, fabrics and various decorative items. The ‘Blue Eye’ is a colourful charm, and is though to ward off evil and bring good luck and success.

oldtown2

2. Pottery – many countries have thriving crafts industries, and can offer an attractive range of small pottery pieces that incorporate cultural and locally significant designs. Greece is well known for its pottery, and you can purchase many different items such as small vases, bowls and olive oil containers. Greek souvenir pieces often take their inspiration from the beautiful designs of ancient Greek pottery, and depict scenes from Greek myth and history. Mexico is also famous for its colourful pottery, and there are some lovely vibrant pieces that you can pick up for very reasonable prices whilst you are visiting the country, such as bright and unique plates, cups and bowls.

labasilica

3. Hand Woven Fabrics – the weaving industry still thrives across the world, and there are lovely examples of hand woven fabrics in traditional designs in most local markets and bazaars you will visit on your holidays. The people of South American countries such as Mexico and Peru love their bright, traditional designs and you will find some wonderfully coloured patterns, both hand and machine woven that are made into items such as blankets, rugs, ponchos and scarves. Morocco is also famous for its hand woven fabrics, and you will find many beautiful examples in the local bazaars, especially rugs and carpets.

thebigbazar

4. Spices – spice markets are one of the real treats as you travel through exotic countries, and will also allow you to bring home the evocative smells and taste of your holiday. Istanbul in Turkey was the centre of the medieval spice trade, and still has some of the best spice markets in the world. Pick up freshly ground cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as some of the more exotic spices that are rarely seen in Western supermarkets such as Ajowan seeds which are used in the traditional vegetarian dishes of Gujarat in India and Sumac, which is a tangy, astringent spice often used in Arabic cooking.

5. Jewellery – jewellery is used throughout the world for both decorative and religious purposes, and as you travel around you will notice the amazing variety of different gemstones, precious metals and designs on offer. It can also be cheaper to buy certain gemstones and gold/silver items in different countries, so in some cases it can be a sound investment to buy expensive jewellery abroad. You will need to be careful to ensure what you are buying is genuine so make sure you do a little research before you travel, but as a general rule avoid buying bargins that seem to good to be true from street hawkers, and try asking local guides to point you in the direction of reputable jewellery shops. Dubai has long been considered an excellent place to buy gold jewellery and precious gemstones, because it is tax-free and provides pieces from some of the most famous jewellery designers in the world such as Tiffany, Cartier and Pasquale Bruni. There are some stunningly intricate designs in traditional Middle Eastern and Asian motifs available at competitive prices in Dubai, and plenty of different pieces of jewellery to suit any budget.

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