When was the last time you took a vacation and didn’t pick up a souvenir or two? Souvenir shopping is part of the joy of travel (at least for me!). I’ve even seen non-shoppers at home get into the spirit once they’re on the road.

But, there’s a dark side to souvenirs, too: souvenir clutter.

“Souvenir” comes from French, meaning memory or remembrance. To me, souvenirs fall into two categories: (1) for me (whose trip is it, after all?) and (2) for everyone else.

When it comes to vacation souvenirs for other people, there are travelers who feel the need to purchase something for everyone they know back home—no, really, I mean it—everyone, and they stress out if they miss someone!  Parents, children, friends, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, coworkers, neighbors, the girl from the vet’s office who’s watching Fluffy, the lawn man, the cable guy. Everyone.

It’s out of hand when you spend more time shopping for souvenirs than seeing the sights.

Vacation should never become synonymous with slavery to souvenirs. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through your souvenir shopping:

• Research the areas you are visiting. What is each area known for? Is there a special foodstuff, clothing item, pottery, handicraft or other product that is particularly representative of the area?
• Take a list of addresses with you (a sheet of pre-addressed labels is perfect and packable) and send colorful postcards to friends and family back home. (Tip: postcards also make excellent souvenirs for you.)
• Shop like a local; find a street market or fair and look for locally-produced items.
• Shop where and when you are; do not search a dozen stores for the best deals on shell necklaces or fridge magnets, only to go back to the first one! The time you save is equal or greater to the few dollars or cents you might save elsewhere.
• Buy only what you can fit in your suitcase or carry on, or plan to spend extra time and money on shipping excess items home. (I had to this in Australia.) If it’s a large item such as a piece of furniture or artwork, check with the seller to see if they can arrange shipping.
• If it’s something for you, is it something you will use or display? If it’s hidden away in a box or drawer, it won’t be much of a memory. I love collecting artwork, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, textiles and crafts from local artisans.
• If it’s something for someone else, is it for a particular occasion? Is it truly unique and representative of the area you’re visiting? If you’re browsing a fantastic bazaar where you find the perfect gift for your mother that you could never find at home, then by all means buy it and present it at the appropriate time, like her birthday or Mother’s Day.
• If it’s not for a particular occasion, and it’s just a typical souvenir, is it useful? Does the recipient collect the item? Is it something that can be consumed, like candy, or will it end up in a drawer or charity bin?

If the “gifts” are really meaningless trinkets that will quickly find their way into the garage sale bin, the charity donation box, or the trash, then save your money, your suitcase and your recipient, and just say no to the tacky souvenir.

Instead, create an album of your trip photos on one of many online photo sharing sites, and invite friends and family to view your album. Or, pick up a cookbook of local cuisine and make dinner for your friends and family. Invite them over to hear about your trip and enjoy your attempt at local cuisine.

As I write this I’m preparing for an expedition to Antarctica, my last continent. The expedition company has strict luggage limits, so my souvenir will have to be light, small and unique. I may just wait and shop at the Buenos Aires airport on the way home!

The important thing is, keep your souvenirs meaningful, packable, and a true keepsake that will remind you of your journey for years to come.