Whenever I used to come home from a trip, I would think to myself, “Why didn’t I collect a matchbook from each country?
PHOTO LENA KAZERWhy didn’t I find a vintage movie poster from each city? WHY?” There is something satisfying about collecting bits and pieces of the places we visit. Maybe it is to prove we’ve been there, to hold on to the memories, or just to add to your mile-high shot glass collection. My reason comes from my inner cheap-o: to decorate my home with memories of the places I’ve been, without spending a dime.
The three items I collect the most throughout my travels are not without reason: they are lightweight, easy to pack, and great to have around the house. Let the sticky-fingered fun begin!
PHOTO LENA KAZER1. Beer Coasters
As I traveled in Europe, every time I ordered a beer I found myself admiring the multi-shaped coasters strewn across the table, tempted to pocket one. While our eyes eventually ignore or see double of our local beer logos, foreign beer logos are colorful and scrawled with non-English. How exciting! You can use them as, well…coasters, assemble them in a frame, or hang them in a unique design on your wall. The options are endless. Do me a favor though, be respectful and just grab one per bar: I’m not trying to breed an army of hoarders.
2. Maps
This one is by far the easiest to remember: always keep the maps you use throughout your travels. You may want to sneak an extra from the tourist shop, or do what I do, and decorate your home with maps that have your or someone else’s writing on them. Personally I like looking on my wall and noticing the circles I marked in Berlin around attractions I visited, plus it makes for a great story. If you aren’t into hanging maps on your wall, the arty kids can decoupage the map to furniture, or to a box that stores your passport and ticket stubs.
PHOTO LENA KAZER3. Postcards / Other Free Media
At many hostels you will find plastic shelves packed with brochures, advertisements, and various maps. This is a great resource for awesome free finds. I got 10 free postcards from the Czech Inn in Prague, free maps from Plus Hostel Berlin, and I always kept playbills and museum information packets. My favorite find was a paper placemat from the Strahov Monastery Brewery in Prague that detailed how the beer was made.
