Holiday Souvenirs
Do you always come back with holiday souvenirs or are they are thing of the past?
I remember as a little girl being very excited about buying trinkets for friends with the name of the place blazoned on it somewhere. Now I’m a bit older (!) I’m not sure what to give the family so often resort to local wine if we are travelling via train or car.
After our recent trip to North Cyprus I have discovered that we did do well in terms of holiday souvenirs although hadn’t intended to.
What did I buy?
Here is a selection of material items. I just loved these multicoloured pashminas and hubby always tries to find a football shirt of the area. This one is for Galatasary which is the top Turkish team. The official title of the part of the island we visited is Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus so you will see lots of Turkish influences in these holiday posts.
I was aware that there was a chance of me wanting to buy several things and knew I would not have room in the case so bought this voluminous canvas bag. It has the trade mark of olives which we saw everywhere we went. I actually picked one from a tree. It was hard, bitter and horrid!
…and there’s more!
The local village to the complex Tatlisu holds a festival every year to celebrate the harvesting of carob trees. We were able to go along one evening and although I will share that with you in another post, I did top up my holiday souvenirs. A trip to Kyrenia harbour added another.
The fridge magnet and one of the bracelets has the decoration of protection against the Evil Eye, a
tradition across the Mediterranen but very much a Turkish Cypriot one. It is said that if someone gives you the ‘evil eye’ that can bring illness so by having this ‘eye’ around, those bad spirits will be warded off.
Not all holiday souvenirs are good!
Sadly, there is one purchase that is not going to see light of day with me. I very much wanted a summer frock. The friend we were staying with has lots and gave me the confidence to not worry about my ‘bat wings’. This dress is beautiful, bright and would keep me cool. The only problem is it is too big! I had to try it on over the T-shirt I was wearing so I suppose it is not surprising. i might have been carried away with the shop keeper telling me I was like Princess Diana (I did remind him she was dead!) but whatever it was, I won’t be wearing it. 
So, there we have it. A great haul from our trip.
Do you bring holiday souvenirs home? What type of items are they?
What should I do with my dress?
I am guilty your honour!!! Fridge magnets (Stopped that years ago! Haha) … Handbags, Hats, Clothes, Ornaments, Belts, Shoes, Sandals, Shades, Watches, Jewellery (in abundance – I can’t stay away from that one!) Pashminas, Furniture (yup – we had some shipped back from Thailand for the garden!!) … There’s probably more .. 😉
I took one full and one empty case to NYC and had to sit on with a friend to close it for the journey home. I am ALL bad! (And – it seems – slightly out of control as soon as I see pretty shiny things on holiday that won’t be available back home!)
Yes you are all bad Sarah but if you are taking an extra case with you, at least you are aware of it! 😉
I always travel like a pack horse so finding place for souvenirs is a challenge.
I can imagine!!
I don’t usually bring back gifts from my holiday. If I am staying with friends or family I take something to them, and I might bring home some food. The best was carrying home an unripe grapefruit that fallen from a tree outside my cabaña in Cuba for my mother. Sh enjoyed watching it ripen, and enjoyed eating it even more.
How on earth did you get it through customs??
I don’t think there can have been any restrictions. I certainly didn’t smuggle it. I once had a long conversation with US Customs about some tomatoes in my bag, and a pot of Marmite I was taking to my friend. Both were allowed through.
I expect they are used to Marmite being brought in Isobel!!
you could always use the dress when you go to the beach to change under – useful having a large one to put on 🙂 – it is a lovely dress and a lovely colour as well!
That’s a great idea – thank you. Only problem is I’m not a beach babe at all 🙁
Hm – surprising such a beach ” babey'” dress! Ah well – repurpose then or make a larger friend happy 🙂
Hee hee! I saw it as a going around the sights dress!
🙂 well I am sure you will think of something!!! Tie a big bow round the middle 60ies style!
Brilliant Julia. I had a sneaky feeling that you might not wear the dress. You could always use the lovely bright material and turn it into a holiday carryall.
I was so hoping it would shrink a bit on the journey home!