Gifts and souvenirs from different countries. What souvenirs to buy in different countries The most unusual souvenirs from different countries
Almost every person loves to receive gifts. It just so happens that in different countries of the world, traditional presentations are very different. One thing unites everyone - anticipation of the holiday.
Children and adults, everyone is really waiting for the next celebration to come so they can receive the treasured gift.
The most anticipated holiday is the New Year, today we will talk about traditional gifts in different parts of our planet.
England
In England, New Year is celebrated quite modestly, with family and close friends. They buy small offerings, most likely of a souvenir nature. Children are given a lot of sweets.
But Christmas is not distinguished by such modesty; on this day it is celebrated very noisily, and the choice of gifts is taken very seriously.
It is customary to present something unusual and memorable. All the presents are delivered by the kind Santa, who especially pampers those children who were obedient last year.
Italy and Spain
As in other Catholic countries, in Italy the main celebration is not New Year, but Christmas. Instead of Santa, Babbo Natale is here, he goes from house to house and delivers gifts to everyone. Children are often given toys and books, while adults receive things useful for everyday use.
But don’t think that New Year is not celebrated here at all, Italians drink wine and have fun.
The most unusual tradition associated with this celebration is throwing old things out of windows. Thus, Italians are “renewing themselves” and preparing for a bright future.
In , Christmas also dominates, it is celebrated from December 24 to 25, and is called “good night.”
Everything is lit and sparkling with decorations; many fairs and interesting performances are held on the streets. They buy a lot of gifts and quite expensive ones. This holiday is usually celebrated on a grand scale.
China
The New Year is considered one of the brightest and most cheerful holidays. Preparation for a significant event takes almost the entire month preceding it.
Much attention is paid to home decoration. Wishes and talismans for good luck are hung at the entrance. There is a tradition of bathing Buddha. The statues are washed until they shine, and the inhabitants of the country themselves pour water on each other and shout out New Year's wishes.
Gifts vary greatly depending on your mood and financial situation, but be that as it may, sending greeting cards to all friends and relatives is considered an unspoken rule.
Also, in China, great attention is paid to what can be presented and what cannot be presented. The number of surprises also matters (everything must have a couple).
Russia
In Russia, New Year is celebrated very noisily. This is one of the biggest holidays; Russians have been celebrating it since 1700 by order of Peter I. The main characters of the celebration are Father Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka.
Gifts are given absolutely any way; there are no specific canons dictating the type or price of the gift. In principle, just like for other special events.
Gifts with a Russian soul
The scope of the offering may vary depending on the importance of the celebration itself. For example, it is customary to give expensive gifts, but smaller ones on March 8th.
Flowers are a traditional addition to any surprise. This is one of the most popular gifts given for all significant events.
On this day in Russia it is customary to rejoice and have fun, only in our country the New Year is celebrated for more than 3 days, sometimes even several weeks.
The easiest way to recognize the character of a country is by national music, religious traditions and... cuisine! In addition, overseas delicacies seem doubly tasty due to their rarity, and therefore bringing authentic delicacies from abroad is a common activity.
It is customary to bring fresh or dried fruits, as well as aromatic spices, from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and other countries of Southeast Asia. From Spain, different varieties of jamon - dry-cured pork meat - usually arrive on Russian tables. The Czech Republic is famous for its delicious Oblatka waffles. From Greece you should definitely grab a bottle of high-quality cold-pressed olive oil, and from Montenegro tourists like to bring prosciutto as a treat - meat smoked and cured in the wind and sun.
Spirits from different countries
This is another popular type of tourist souvenir. Czech Slivovice liqueur or Bekhterevka liqueur, Greek Metaxa, Brazilian Caipirinha cocktail or a bottle of champagne from France - all these intoxicating gifts are universal and always welcome. These are appropriate gifts for friends and acquaintances, colleagues, bosses and even business partners.
The most popular souvenirs from the Dominican Republic are rum, cigars, jewelry with rare local larimar stone or local coffee.
However, travelers should be aware of customs regulations in different countries, which may limit the export of alcoholic beverages in various ways. Thus, only people over 20 years of age can export alcohol from Finland.
Authentic jewelry, national attributes and interior details
The choice of souvenirs from this category in different countries is truly huge. After all, traditions, customs, and styles of master craftsmen differ even in different regions of the same state.
From different countries, in addition to delicacies, alcohol and handicrafts, it is customary to bring products from local cosmetic brands as gifts and souvenirs.
For example, among the souvenir products in the Czech Republic are pomegranate jewelry, Bohemian crystal, and simply fresh roses preserved in the thermal springs of the Karlovy Vary resort.
From Australia you can take national works of art or typical household items of local aborigines: boomerangs, spears, paintings on fabric, etc.
It is customary to bring elephant figurines, silver jewelry, pearls, high quality coconut oil, etc. from Thailand and neighboring countries of Southeast Asia.
Returning from a trip and choosing souvenirs, people try to buy something special and unique, but in fact they bring the most typical souvenirs that have become unique tourist brands.
1. Mount Rushmore Oil Lamp, South Dakota
South Dakota is not a US tourist hotspot, but it does have a landmark that is famous all over the world: Mount Rushmore. Therefore, when visiting South Dakota, it is worth purchasing something related to Mount Rushmore, such as an oil lamp.
2. Sumo wrestler, Japan
Japan has quite a lot of tourism brands, but tourists buy souvenirs related to sumo wrestling most willingly.
3. Cup with Dracula, Romania
When hearing the word "Romania", the first thing that might come to mind for most people is Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. It's no wonder that all the local souvenir shops are literally crammed with a variety of Dracula-themed souvenirs, such as this scary vampire cup.
4. Thermometer with the Great Wall of China
It’s easy to kill two birds with one stone by visiting China. You can buy this cute thermometer with a picture of the Great Wall of China. At any time you can check the temperature in your room at home, and at the same time remember your trip to the Celestial Empire.
5. Bottle opener with the Pope, Vatican
Everyone knows that the Vatican is the residence of His Holiness, and, undoubtedly, a visit to this tiny independent state will be remembered for a lifetime. Portraits of the Pope are everywhere. Even on the most ordinary objects, such as a bottle opener.
6. Pharaoh figurine, Egypt
Pyramids, sphinx, camels and... pharaohs. It is simply impossible to leave Egypt without one of these figurines.
7. Statue of Christ, Brazil
The gigantic 30-meter tall Christ the Redeemer statue towering over Rio de Janeiro is the most iconic landmark in the city and perhaps the entire country. It's no surprise that Christ figurines of all sizes and shapes are sold in souvenir shops throughout Rio.
8. Golem figurine, Czech Republic
The figurine, which somewhat resembles a Czech version of a sumo wrestler, is actually a depiction of the Golem, a mythical anthropomorphic creature that legends say was created by a Prague rabbi in the 16th century. These figurines are among the most popular Czech souvenirs.
9. Keychain in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, France
Parisian classic - keychain in the shape of the Eiffel Tower. If you hang this small metal object on a bunch of keys, everyone will know that its owner has been to Paris.
10. Canned Fog, California
In San Francisco, California, there are two iconic things that everyone should see - the famous Golden Gate Bridge and the fog. And for tourists who want to take a piece of California with them, canned fog is sold.
11. Model of a double-decker bus, England
Apart from world-famous tourist attractions such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace, there is one more thing in the UK capital that all tourists invariably photograph - red double-decker buses. After visiting London, it is worth buying a small model of a bus as a souvenir.
12. Souvenir bells, Switzerland
Although Switzerland is a small country, it has many things that it is famous for. Swiss army knives, Swiss chocolate, Swiss watches - all these things are famous all over the world. But as for souvenirs, there is an even more popular thing - small decorative bells.
13. Painted skulls, Mexico
When returning from Mexico, it's worth picking up one of these creepy yet cute painted skulls. This one of the most popular souvenirs in the country is associated with the Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday that is widely celebrated throughout the country.
14. Straw hats, Thailand
In recent years, Thailand has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, attracting millions of tourists from around the world every year. What do they usually take with them as a souvenir of this country? Traditional straw hats.
15. Matryoshka, Russia
A wooden painted matryoshka doll, inside of which there are similar smaller dolls, is still considered the most popular souvenir from Russia among foreign tourists.
16. Mozartkugel, Austria
Named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world's greatest composers, Mozartkugel candies are made from marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate. This sweet treat is the most popular souvenir that tourists buy in Austria, Mozart's birthplace.
17. Painted elephant figurine, India
Collecting elephant figurines is quite popular, but in India it is an iconic souvenir. And there is a good reason for this - not only is India home to the world's largest population of endangered Indian elephants, but there is a veritable cult of the elephant and many rituals associated with it.
18. Stone Maltese Cross, Malta
The Maltese Cross is one of the most important national symbols of Malta. Local souvenir shops offer this symbol in all sorts of variations, but mostly it is made of white limestone, typical of the small Mediterranean country.
19. Viking horns, Sweden
Sweden is the birthplace of the Vikings. The cult of these terrible medieval warriors and sailors is still present in this country. It is therefore not surprising that horned Viking helmets are one of the souvenirs that most tourists want to bring back from Sweden.
20. Dancing dolls, Hawaii
Hawaii... Sun, crystal clear water, amazing beaches and... beautiful tanned hula dancers with wreaths! It's worth remembering to buy one of these dolls before you return to the gray gloom of everyday reality.
21. Replica of the Brandenburg Gate, Germany
Built in the 18th century in neoclassical style, the triumphal arch “Brandenburg Gate” is one of the landmarks of Berlin and Germany. People often buy small copies of this architectural structure.
22. Maple syrup, Canada
Canada is currently the world's largest producer of maple syrup, and the maple leaf is a recognized national symbol. Therefore, the most symbolic souvenir from Canada will be maple syrup, bottled in small bottles in the shape of a maple leaf.
23. Painted clogs, Netherlands
The Netherlands has a wide range of souvenirs typical of this country. Windmills, tulips, cheese - all these things are iconic symbols of the Netherlands. But there is one more thing - super fashionable, but almost unwearable, painted clogs. Painted wooden clogs are among the most coveted Dutch souvenirs.
24. Lighter made from kangaroo scrotum, Australia
Since the kangaroo is the most popular animal in Australia, it is not surprising that many souvenirs are kangaroo themed. One of the most popular souvenirs is a lighter made from... a kangaroo's scrotum.
25. Little mermaid figurine, Denmark
The statue of the Little Mermaid from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, which is installed in Copenhagen, has become the main attraction not only of the city, but of the entire country. It is the miniature model of the statue that most tourists visiting Denmark buy.
When traveling around the world, we usually want to buy gifts for our family and friends. After all, if you don’t buy a figurine of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it will seem like you’ve never been there at all. So, let's look at the most popular souvenirs from around the world.
1. Figurine of a sumo wrestler from Japan.
Japan is famous for many phenomena, including sumo wrestling. So you can find such a souvenir at every step.
2. Mug in the shape of Dracula from Romania .
When you say “Romania”, the first thing that comes to mind is the vampire Dracula, aka Vlad the Impaler. It is not surprising that all local souvenir shops are filled with items on this theme, for example, mugs like these.
3. Thermometer in the form of the Great Wall of China from China.
Kill two birds with one stone by purchasing such a souvenir. Tell people about your travels while staying up to date with weather conditions in your own home.
4. Figurine of Christ the Savior from Brazil.
The 30-meter tall statue of Christ the Savior rises on a hill above Rio de Janeiro and is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Brazil. It is not surprising that her image can be bought in any Brazilian souvenir shop.
5. Cow bell from Switzerland.
Although Switzerland is a small country, there are many things that it is famous for. Swiss knife, chocolate, watches - all these items are known throughout the world. But when it comes to souvenirs, there is only one - decorative bells, like those that hang on the necks of Swiss cows.
6. Little Mermaid figurine from Denmark.
Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote “The Little Mermaid”, and in Copenhagen there is a statue of this heroine - one of the most important attractions of the city and the whole country. Of course, there are miniature copies too - in any souvenir shop in Denmark.
7. Opener with the Pope from the Vatican.
Everyone knows that the Vatican is the residence of His Holiness, so if you ever visit this smallest enclave within Rome, you will remember it for the rest of your life. Portraits of the Pope are everywhere. Even on such “mundane” items as bottle openers.
8. Golem figurine from the Czech Republic.
They are somewhat similar to sumo wrestler figurines, but in fact they depict the Golem - a mythical creature created by a Prague rabbi in the 16th century. These figurines are one of the most popular Czech souvenirs.
9. Painted skulls from Mexico.
If you're planning a trip to Mexico, don't forget to bring back one of these colorful painted skulls. This is one of the most popular souvenirs in the country. They are associated with Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated throughout the country.
10. Model of a double-decker bus from England.
In addition to world-famous attractions like the Tower, the London Eye or Buckingham Palace, there is something else in the UK that every tourist must see, photograph and be sure to take home with them as a souvenir - the iconic red double-decker bus.
11. Straw hats from Thailand.
In recent years, Thailand has become an increasingly popular Asian destination, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world every year. What souvenir should you bring from this country? Of course, a traditional straw hat.
12. “Mozartkugel” from Austria.
Named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of history's greatest composers, Mozartkugel candies are made from marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate. This sweet delicacy is the most popular souvenir in Austria, the country where Mozart was born.
13. Dancing doll from Hawaii, USA.
Dear Hawaii... Sun, crystal clear water, magnificent beaches and... of course, beautiful dancers with flower wreaths.
14. Lighter made from... kangaroo scrotum from Australia.
Kangaroos are one of the most popular animal symbols of Australia, so it is not surprising that many souvenirs are associated with them. However, the fact that one of the most popular souvenirs is the poor animal's scrotum, made in the form of a keychain or lighter, may shock you a little.
15. Maple syrup from Canada.
Canada is the world's largest producer of maple syrup, and the maple leaf, as we know, is comfortably located on the main flag of the country. So when it comes to souvenirs, there's nothing more Canadian than maple syrup in maple leaf-shaped bottles.
16. Figurine of a pharaoh from Egypt.
Pyramids, sphinx, camels and... pharaohs. You cannot leave Egypt without at least one of these figurines in your luggage.
17. Viking horns from Sweden.
Sweden is a country where the Vikings lived, and the cult of these medieval warriors and sailors is still preserved here. It is not surprising that horned Viking helmets have become one of the most popular souvenirs that tourists take with them from this Scandinavian country.
18. Elephant figurines from India.
Many people collect elephant figurines, but in India they are one of the most popular souvenirs. And there is a reason for this, because India is the country with the largest elephant population.
19. A copy of the Brandenburg Gate from Germany.
The 18th-century neoclassical triumphal arch, the Brandenburg Gate, is an iconic Berlin landmark that attracts tourists from all over the world. People often buy a copy of this structure and pose with it in front of the original gate.
20. Painted wooden shoes from Holland.
In the Netherlands you can literally get lost in souvenirs. Mills, tulips, cheese - all these things are iconic symbols of the Netherlands. But there is something else that is much more important and iconic - these are super-fashionable, but practically indestructible painted wooden shoes! They are made entirely of wood and are one of the most beloved Dutch souvenirs among tourists.
When we travel, we usually want to buy small souvenirs that will remind us of the places we were lucky enough to visit. We want to buy something original and special, but we end up buying the most typical trinkets in banal souvenir shops. On the other hand, if you didn't bring a keychain in the shape of the Eiffel Tower from Paris, then you've never been there! TravelAsk offers you to get acquainted with 25 of the simplest and most common souvenirs that people often bring from different parts of the world.
Oil lamp in the form of Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
South Dakota may not be the most popular state for tourists, but they have a landmark that's known around the world and they want you to remember it.
Sumo wrestlers, Japan
Japan is famous for many things, but sumo wrestlers, for some unknown reason, are the most popular themed souvenir among tourists.
Cup with Dracula, Romania
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Romania is Dracula (Vlad the Impaler). It is not surprising that all local souvenir shops are literally stuffed with trinkets with the image of this not very friendly gentleman.
Thermometer Great Wall of China, China
A useful thing that will tell people about your exploits as a traveler, and show you the exact air temperature.
"Papal" bottle opener, Vatican
It is the residence of His Holiness, and therefore portraits of the Pope are everywhere here, even on the most mundane objects, such as a bottle opener.
Pharaoh figurines, Egypt
Pyramids, sphinx, camels and... pharaohs. It is impossible to leave Egypt without one of these figurines in your suitcase.
Statuette of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
This 30-meter tall statue of Christ is the most iconic landmark of the country, and perhaps the entire country. It is not surprising that you can find copies of it here in all sizes and shapes.
Golem figurine, Czech Republic
The golem is a mythical anthropomorphic creature believed to have been created by a rabbi in Prague in the 16th century. These figurines are one of the most popular Czech souvenirs.
Keychain Eiffel Tower, France
No list of souvenirs would be complete without an Eiffel Tower keychain. This is how everyone will understand that you were in Paris.
Canned Fog, California
San Francisco is famous for two things: the famous Golden Gate Bridge and fog. When you buy canned mist, you get both.
Double decker bus, England
Besides Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace, every tourist in London should see the iconic red double-decker bus and take a photo on it. And don't forget to buy a small model bus!
Cow bell, Switzerland
Although a small country, it is famous for several things: the Swiss Army knife, chocolate and watches. But when it comes to souvenirs, there is nothing more popular than a small decorative bell that hangs around a cow's neck.
Decorated skulls, Mexico
One of the most popular souvenirs in the country, which refers to the Day of the Dead - a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated throughout the country.
Straw hats, Thailand
The most common souvenir in Thailand - a country that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia.
Matryoshka, Russia
This is a set of shrinking wooden dolls that fit inside one another. The souvenir is so popular that it is even sold in other countries.
Mozartkugel, Austria
Named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, these chocolates are made from marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate.
Colorful elephant figurines, India
It is home to a large population of endangered Indian elephants.
Stone Maltese Cross, Malta
The cross is Malta's most important national symbol. In local souvenir shops you can find it in all possible variations.
Viking horns, Sweden
The homeland of the Vikings, and the cult of these ancient medieval warriors and sailors is still present here.
Dancing doll, Hawaii
Sweet Hawaii... sun, crystal clear water, amazing beaches and... beautiful tanned hula dancers with wreaths! Buy this doll before you return to the cold, dark reality of everyday life.
Replica of the Brandenburg Gate, Germany
The 18th century neoclassical triumphal arch is a major landmark in Berlin and the entire country.
Maple syrup, Canada
The world's largest producer of maple syrup, and the maple leaf is the country's national symbol. That's why there's nothing more Canadian than maple syrup in a wedge leaf-shaped bottle!
Painted shoes, Netherlands
The Netherlands has many things typical for this country. In addition to souvenirs in the form of windmills, tulips and cheese, you can bring from here a super fashionable but unwearable accessory - colorful wooden shoes.
Kangaroo scrotum lighter, Australia
The kangaroo is the most popular symbol of Australia, but the most common souvenir here is a keychain lighter made from the scrotum of poor animals.