6 Souvenirs You Shouldn’t Miss

I am forever tooling over a certain travel struggle. This great debate is more than enough to cause throbbing migraines, sweaty palms, and slight panic. That’s right, bringing back the perfect gift.

I’ve brought home enough unopened snow globes to know that returning with the perfect travel gift for those you left behind is something like picking a birthday gift for distant relatives: you’ll spend a lot on something that will end up collecting dust in a cabinet if you don’t choose correctly.

Here, in all their pride and glory, are some of my favorite souvenirs, and the best places to score them.

Scarves from Ethiopia

During a painfully long overnight layover I wandered in and out of the same two badly lit duty free shops about a hundred times before I noticed a tiny little wagon in an off corner of the terminal. There, a woman was selling a basket of hand woven cheap scarves of all types and colors of fabrics. The array was beautiful and as many travelers know, a scarf can be the difference between a pillow and none, a chill and some warmth, and many more predicaments. It’s a must-have.

Rosary Beads from the Vatican

Okay, here’s a little known secret for anyone who hasn’t been there. The Vatican has an awesome gift shop. I mean, amazing. At the end of the museum tour, past the glorious display that is Sistine Chapel and a few fantastic modern art displays, you end up in a winding hallway full of trinket boxes, shelves and shelves of books, and display cases as far as the eye can see. For a shopper, it was almost too much to take in. However, the carved rosary beads were beautiful, delicate, symbolic, and always remind me of the surprisingly updated curve of that little Italian cove.

Puppets from Prague

When I left for Prague I was a week into dating the fella who would eventually become my fiance. Needless to say I didn’t know him too well and brought him back what I thought was the holy grail of Prague gifting: Czech beer! That beer stayed in the back of his fridge almost as long as this relationship. However, the little rosy cheeked, kerchief-wearing girl I brought home for myself garnished a lot of loving stares. My handmade lady puppet, purchased from a kiosk off the Charles Bridge, has become the subject of cooing and awing for just about every guest shindig. Sorry about the beer, C.

Hot Sauce from Austin, Texas
When in Austin, it’s very tempting to reach for the bottle of BBQ sauce. I know, I did. I don’t need to get into details but between airport security, plastic bags, and sharp object, let’s just say this is an idea who’s day has come. Instead, take home some hot sauce to adorn the barbecue you’ll grill in your own backyard. Tears of Joy is an adorable shop of hot sauce and only hot sauce, from the amateur mild flavors to the wacky like dips and jellies, and even dangerous sauces like Habanero Pepper and Ghost Pepper.

Comics from Brussels

Another beer no-brainer city is the beautiful capital of Belgium. Belgian beer! Do it! Well, turns out many places in the US also sell Belgian beer and, oh boy, was that a waste of shipping or packing or being extra careful with your carry-on. Brussels is also home to Tintin, a fictional 20th century reporter that grew out of World War II and onto the walls of numerous murals across Brussels. Stop by The Tintin Shop near the Grand Place and bring home a piece of the plucky little guy.

Woven Baskets from Rwanda

In Rwanda it’s considered a sign of warmth and friendship to give your guest a basket. I found that smaller baskets come in gorgeous colors, many shapes and sizes, and fit right into my carry-on. At home they’re fantastic for keys, coins, and other random items. From local shops to larger markets, you can also bargain for a well-priced basket in just about every corner of major cities like Kigali.