Cool Things to Collect from Other Countries?

[PlayingPretend]

So I've been considering starting up a collection (in addition to my normal collections) to document places I've been and places I have yet to go. Imagine a checklist of sorts... But I'm not sure of what. So far, I've thought of the typical postcards, pins and flags, but nothing has really jumped out at me, with the exception of flags... Yet where would I keep an entire collection of flags? So I was wondering if THers had any ideas? What are some things you've collected from other countries?

[taylalatbh.]

Well, I haven't been to America, but when my mum went, she bought me back a dollar. So maybe you could collect currency

[PlayingPretend]

It's possible. I guess I could always order it online, too. There have been countries I've visited where I haven't collected anything other than random items, but I want a more cohesive collection. So I'll do some online shopping, which may seem a bit fraudulent, but hey, if I went there, I went there. If it helps any, I've been to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, England, France and will be going to Australia. So if anyone has been to one or more of those places and collected something interesting, that may be an inspiration to me.

[Pelios]

I agree with Tayla collect currency, I have 5€
Another thing is refrigerator magnets my dad brings one back every times he travels we have the refrigerator full of those.

[Boobies]

Perhaps go for symbolic items of the countries you visit? Like a boomerang for Australia, a beret for France and similar things for other countries?

[PlayingPretend]

Keady, that's almost brilliant. I love that idea!

[fresco]

Originally Posted by 3.14159265358979323846264

Perhaps go for symbolic items of the countries you visit? Like a boomerang for Australia, a beret for France and similar things for other countries?

I liked this idea too!

I liked the flags idea as well. When people come to my house I always show off my lil Canada flag... which looks puny next to our giganto Polish flag but whatever. We have family there. (Only been to two countries. But I think I am gonna aim for the flags thing!)

[Acheron]

Children. Hey, it works for Angelina Jolie.

[Mehhhhhh]

I collect tropical illnesses.

[The Morrigan]

I've always wanted to travel around and collect postcards. I probably won't be going abroad anytime soon but it's always been something I want to do and it works even if I just collect them around the UK

[PlayingPretend]

Thank you everyone. I'm thinking I might do postcards and something else. Maybe flags, maybe not. I like the idea of collecting something unique to the country.

[Nomatophobia]

I have currencies from the UK, Western and Central Europe, and Southeast Asia.

[BECCALICIOUS!]

I don't have any particular collections besides currency and postcards. My favorite things I've got from other countries are my hand-carved wooden owls from Poland, the various earrings I bought in Rome, and my rosary beads from the Vatican.

[PlayingPretend]

Oooh, the owls seem interesting!

[Chazzz]

I grab a little pot of soil from each country a visit. Take a little bit home. Um, not sure how legal from a customs point of view though so...

[PlayingPretend]

That's certainly unique! And I'd be so terrified I'd get in trouble for that, omg.