One of the things I have been thinking a lot about in the last week is something I assume crosses the minds of many study abroad students: souvenirs (Andenken in German). What sorts of things can I bring back home with me that will remain cherished mementos of my time in Germany? Although Leipzig is not one of Germany’s biggest tourist destinations, you can still buy a Leipzig postcard, thimble, magnet, shot glass, etc. on nearly every street near the city center. However, these don’t tell much of a story other than, “I was here.” Many of these cookie-cutter trinkets, however fun, are things that one could probably buy in any German city, albeit with a different pictured building and city name–not to mention that many of these things are not made locally. In my souvenir hunting, I have tried to take a creative approach to buying things that are practical(ish) and truly reflect my experience here.
Practicality in travel mementos
Something I like to consider when evaluating something for its potential as a souvenir is what sort of use I will get out of it. While a large chunk of the souvenirs I buy are decorative knick-knacks, I do try to keep an eye out for things that are functional. One of my favorite souvenirs that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional is ceramics, which are generally very easy to find. The only concern here is packing them safely. When I first arrived in Leipzig, I was carrying a couple of ceramic souvenirs and antiques in a less-than-secure manner when I tripped on a cobblestone and fell hard onto the ground, breaking all of them, and I am still very upset about this. Thankfully, my grandmother makes mosaic art, so I was inadvertently able to turn them into a gift. My advice here is to put your fragile items in your largest suitcase/checked luggage when in transit, protecting them further by wrapping them in clothes or clean socks.
Another idea for practical and relatively affordable souvenirs are goods from the grocery store, as they often have prepackaged food products that you may not be able to find at home. Chocolate is a popular edible souvenir from Europe, and I find that even the cheap stuff here is better than many of our American counterparts. But besides that, I also recommend considering jarred goods as longer-lasting alternatives. For example, I have purchased a jar of linden flower honey, because I have enjoyed seeing these fragrant, bee-loved trees everywhere and will miss them when I return home. (As a side note, the Slavic term for linden trees lends its name to the city of Leipzig). I have also been seeking out specific varieties of fruit preserves, like Johannisbeere (currant) and Holunderbeere (elderberry), that are widely available here but less so at home. One of the benefits I see in bringing home jars of jam, honey, and mustard as souvenirs is that when you finish their contents, you can keep the containers and use them as pencil cups or button jars.
Perhaps a little easier to pack in my bag than glass jars and ceramics is all of the stationery I am bringing home. German school students are required to have a wide variety of notebooks, and there are all different sizes, paper designs, and price points to choose from (funnily enough, one of the easiest places to find them is a budget stationery store called McPaper). In addition to the notebooks and folders, I also brought a vacuum bag along with me to safely bring yarn home. I knit a lot, and I bought one hank of yarn that was made from regional wool, as well as some mid-range sock yarns (German sock yarn is synonymous with quality). These types of souvenirs fit my philosophy of purchasing everyday items that may be uncommon at home and that can also be used to express my creativity.
Responsible, low-, and zero-cost souvenirs
As I mentioned before, many standard souvenirs are mass-produced in areas far removed from the place of which they purport to remind you. However, you can often find gift stores that specialize in locally produced wares if you are willing to look. The items in these stores can be a little more expensive, but if this is the case, you could always consider buying postcards from them instead. I use these during the school year to decorate my dorm, since they are lightweight.
If you are studying abroad in a European city, chances are there will be a secondhand store or a flea market nearby. These places are fantastic sources for generally affordable pieces that might not be run-of-the-mill souvenirs but will always remind you of the adventure you went on to purchase them. Although my first set of flea market finds did not make it home safely (RIP late 19th-century Meißen plate), I have found some other porcelain and ceramic knick-knacks from the local Oxfam in the city center, for between €1 and €4.
One free (or very low-cost) souvenir that I like to collect when I travel is ephemera. When you go to a museum, don’t throw away your ticket, or the map or guide they give you, when you leave. Instead, keep it and stash it in a corner of your suitcase for when you come back home (in terms of packing ease, paper > ceramic). Part of the reason I do this is because I really enjoy seeing these sorts of items in a historical/material culture context, but since we often take these small, disposable things for granted, they are rarely preserved. I do this in lieu of a diary, so in a few years I can still look back and have a record of everything I did.
Hopefully, my ideas for interesting souvenirs will inspire you on your study abroad journey. Until next time!