Dear FP,

I enjoy reading your blog and have to say I am a little envious of your lifestyle! We’re taking our kids on their first vacation (thanks for the tips on traveling with kids, by the way) and I would like them to bring home something special to remember their trip by, without breaking the bank. Any ideas?

Thanks, Susan

Dear Susan, Thanks for reading my blog and yes, I do have a couple of ideas. You didn’t say where you where vacationing so I will give you a few ideas that should work. If you are headed to the ocean, one of my favorite things to bring home is sea shells….talk about not breaking the bank…and what a great way to spend time with your kids. I have shells from every beach I’ve ever been to and what I like to do is display them like you see here. I toss in a little piece of paper that says where and when they were collected.

If you are visiting a city, find a flea market or the city’s little Italy or China Town and scout for stuff there. I love to collect old postcards. The picture here is postcards I purchased at a flea market in Paris for a few dollars and then framed. This particular set is in the entry way in my house. I think your kids may get a kick out of it and you may even be able to add a history lesson in without them even knowing it!

Speaking of frames, another fave is my own photography. Have your kids take some pictures. Encourage them to think outside the box and take some different pictures along your journey. The picture I use with the title of my blog, is mounted on canvas. I have it hanging in my breakfast nook. I also have several more of my pics hanging throughout my home.

I also love those cheap bags that you can usually buy at the airport, the ones that say where you where….SEATTLE….or wherever. I like those so much more than t-shirts, for one thing you can use them to carry home more things and they make great bags for the beach or a quick trip to the store.

And don’t forget to make sure your kids start travel journals, and maybe even a blog about their trip. I have all of Lucy’s boarding passes. I’m not sure what I will do with them yet, but I think I will use her first one and laminate it for her luggage tag. Hope that helps.

Good Luck and Happy Travels!