What to Collect When You're Travelling

Collecting items is a fun hobby. My Mother collected dolls when she was a child and she handed down her love of collecting items to me (as well as some of her beautiful dolls). One thing about collecting is that it's addicting. The first time I visited California when I was thirteen, I started collecting key chains. I bought a key chain at every spot we visited: Morro Bay, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Redwood forest, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, Napa Valley, etc. Before I knew it, I was packing 20+ key chains into my suitcase to take home. After that, every time I went somewhere with my family I had to buy a keychain. I'm not quite sure what purpose they serve, but damn do I love them. They're stuffed in a drawer in my room. I take them out from time to time to look back on my travels and experiences. Each key chain has a story, no matter how simple the story may be. There is no key to choosing an item to collect. Find something you like; find an item that makes you smile! Here are some fun items to collect (don't forget I highly recommend key chains) that won't hurt your wallet.

Each penny costs fifty-one cents.  Let me explain.  A pressed penny is a penny pressed between two steel rollers.  While being pressed, an image or saying or a combination of the two is printed onto the copper.  Pressing the penny costs you two quarters (they must be quarters) and a penny.  Pressed penny machines are EVERYWHERE these days.  They are always at zoos and theme parks.  I even saw one the other day at the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles!  This collector's item gets my number one vote for new collectors.  They're cheap and easy to store and a fun and funky way to remind you of your travels!

Magnets are my Mother's favorite travel item to collect.  She always buys the magnets that have the space in the center for a picture.  However, we never have a picture small enough of all of our faces to fit in the tiny opening allowed for a picture!  Despite that minor downfall, magnets are a great item to collect because they're cheap, lightweight, and can be seen and shared by everyone.  Please note: you need a magnetic refrigerator to stick your magnets on.  You might be laughing, but you'd also be heartbroken to start collecting magnets and then not be able to stick them on your fridge!  I warn you because this happened to my Mother.  She must have over sixty magnets from years of travelling.  As time went on, she needed a new fridge.  She bought a stainless steel beauty (that was NOT magnetic on the front).  She now have sixty magnets squished together on a small magnetic strip that runs from the top to the bottom on the side of the frigde.  Refrigerator buyer beware! :)

Snow globes are a great collectible for girls.  I know what the snow globe does (I have dozens of them), but every time I see one in a store I have to pick it up and shake it around.  The shaking and the snow (or sparkles) make me smile every time!  The downfall to collecting these while travelling is the bulk issue.  However, mini snowglobes are sold at most places, so keep an eye out for an inch by inch globe of smiles!  Glass globes are prettier (and more durable in the long run) but plastic ones are safer to travel with.

Post Cards are simple, compact, colorful, and cheap. The great thing about post cards is that you can write your memories right on your collectible item!  A fun way to collect post cards is to write about your trip on the back of them and then send them to your home address.  When you get home you'll have nice memories of your vacation waiting for you.  If you choose not to send them to your home, keep in mind that they are easily ruined while travelling. I suggest keeping them pressed between the pages of a book for safe keeping.

When I was a kid I used to collect funky pens from Disney World.  The tops of the pens were bent to be the shape of the Disney characters' heads.  Collecting pens goes hand in hand with collecting post cards.  You'll always have something to write on your post card with!  Please note that getting pens onto planes may be difficult these days.  Stuff them in your checked bag to ensure they make it home!