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$15.99 (as of November 20, 2024 15:23 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Nate Berkus, the celebrated interior designer and TV personality, never returns home from his travels without a unique piece of pottery, a souvenir he passionately endorses. On a recent trip to Portugal, Berkus showcased a stunning decorative plate adorned with an intricate figural drawing of a woman and a bird, highlighting his knack for finding beautiful yet non-traditional keepsakes. By strategically packing his fragile treasures within his dirty clothes for extra protection, he demonstrates a practical and budget-friendly way to bring home artistic mementos. Following Berkus’s advice, you can ensure that your own travel souvenirs are safely transported, allowing you to fill your home with meaningful, sentimental items that evoke cherished memories from your adventures. Have you ever returned from a trip with a suitcase full of memories, only to struggle with how to bring home all your souvenirs safely? If you’re like most travelers, finding the perfect items to commemorate your adventures is both exciting and a bit daunting — especially when it comes to packing fragile pieces. This is where we can take a leaf out of Nate Berkus’s book.
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The Souvenir Decor Expert Nate Berkus Loves To Bring Home From His Travels
Picking Up Souvenirs: A Timeless Tradition
Picking up souvenirs is a great way to keep little mementos from your travels. Whether you collect magnets, keychains, T-shirts, or love to look for hidden gems at local craft markets, it’s always a rush when you find the perfect keepsake to bring home. Fortunately, we have expert advice from none other than interior designer and TV personality Nate Berkus.
Nate Berkus’s Souvenir Choice
Nate Berkus recently took to social media to share a beautiful souvenir he picked up on one of his travels to Portugal — a decorative pottery piece featuring an intricate figural drawing of a woman and a bird on the face of the plate. While art like this may not seem practical to bring back at first glance, Berkus uses a simple packing strategy to ensure its safe arrival home.
Why Pottery?
Berkus has a special affinity for pottery. “One thing we always look for when we travel is pottery because it’s easy to wrap up in your dirty clothes and bring it back from vacation,” he said in an Instagram post. Such items carry sentimental value and are unique to the places they originate from.
Bring Home Souvenirs You Love
Unique and Special Mementos
Finding a memento unique to the place you visited will make it even more special. Look for souvenirs with features that will take you back to the destination or remind you of an activity you did there. Also, consider where you might display it when you’re back home. “I love filling my home with pieces that have meaning, especially when they remind me of places I’ve traveled,” Berkus wrote in his post.
Budget-Friendly Options
Not everyone has the budget to shop at boutique galleries owned by famous interior designers. Fortunately, unique gems and handicrafts can be found even if you’re traveling on a budget. Souvenir stores in busy tourist areas typically have higher prices and sell similar mass-produced products, sometimes trying to pass them off as handmade. Instead, keep your eyes out for markets and locally-owned shops for budget-friendly souvenirs to consider.
Support Local Artists and Economy
Buying from local artisans is great for being an ethical traveler and giving your money straight to the local economy. In some cases, you’ll even get to speak to the artist who made the piece, making the purchase even more memorable.
An Unlikely Souvenir Source: The Grocery Store
If you’re traveling light and just want to bring a flavor of the local culture home with you, the grocery store is one of the best places to buy souvenirs. Local food items can be a delightful reminder of your trip, from unique spices to traditional sweets.
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Souvenir Packing Tips
Protecting Fragile Souvenirs
As Berkus suggested, you can wrap fragile souvenirs in your dirty (or clean) clothes to transport them home safely. However, it’s also wise to take a few extra packing precautions to avoid the disappointment and heartbreak you’d feel if you opened your suitcase to find shards of the pottery you loved.
Ask for Extra Wrapping
When buying delicate items, ask the shopkeeper or artist to wrap them in bubble wrap, cardboard, or newspaper for extra protection. This initial layer will significantly reduce the risk of damage during transportation.
Use Your Clothes as Padding
When packing, use your laundry as an outer layer of padding. If you buy a hollow pottery piece like a vase or mug, stuffing the inside with socks can both maximize space and provide resistance against external pressure.
Strategic Packing
It’s also crucial to strategically place your fragile souvenirs in your backpack or suitcase. Keep them towards the center, surrounded by soft items, to act as a buffer against any bumps or knocks during your journey.
Postal Tubes for Art Pieces
If you know you love to collect art, bringing a postal tube lets you wrap several pieces up safely together. They come in various sizes, so you can find one that doesn’t take up much room in your bag. You can then buy unframed prints, drawings, and canvas paintings to transport more easily and frame them when you get home.
Making Packing Souvenirs Easier
Here are more tips that make packing souvenirs easier so you can fill your house with beautiful memories from around the world, a la Nate Berkus.
Plan Ahead
Before you even start your journey, consider giving some thought to what kind of souvenirs you might want to bring back. This can help you plan what packing materials you may need and how much extra space you’ll require in your suitcase.
Use Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are an excellent investment. They can help to organize your suitcase and provide an additional layer of protection around fragile items. You can designate one cube specifically for your souvenirs.
Portable Digital Scale
If you’re worried about your luggage weight limit, a portable digital scale can come in handy. It’s essential to know the weight of your suitcase to avoid extra charges at the airport.
Flexible Bags
Always pack a foldable or flexible extra bag. It’s useful for returning home with more items than you left with. You can use it to separate your souvenirs from your other belongings, reducing the risk of damage.
Document Your Purchases
Keep a list of the items you buy and where you bought them. This makes it easier to declare your items at customs and lessens the chance of leaving something behind.
Use Airbnb or Hotel Solutions
Some Airbnb hosts and hotels offer mailing services. You can also ask them for advice on trusted local shipping services if you find yourself overwhelmed with fragile or cumbersome souvenirs you can’t carry home.
Other Travel Packing Recommendations
Moreover, here are some packing tips and tricks outside the niche of souvenir-packing that can enhance your overall travel experience:
- Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling clothes save space and can minimize wrinkle formation.
- Essentials in Carry-On: Always pack a day’s worth of essentials in your carry-on, including a change of clothes, toiletries, and important documents.
- Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Check the weather forecast of your destination and pack layers to accommodate varying temperatures.
Conclusion
Incorporating Nate Berkus’s tips on choosing and packing souvenirs can add a touch of culture and sentiment to your home while also preserving your travel memories. By being thoughtful and strategic, you can safely bring home those special mementos that tell the story of your adventures, filling your home with beautiful memories from around the world.
So, next time you’re off on a new adventure, remember to look for those unique souvenirs that speak to you — and pack them with care. Happy travels!
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