I started this blog with the idea of sharing little meaningful souvenirs from my trips with the world.
When we travel, we’re always searching for ways to bring a little piece of our journey back home. Some people buy fridge magnets, others collect keychains or T-shirts. But there’s one timeless souvenir that I personally prefer….. and that is postcards!
I have a wall covered with dozens of postcards from my travels around the world and I must confess looking at all those memories and reminiscing about my adventures makes staring at walls more fun than it normally is.
Jokes aside, postcards are more than a souvenir. They’re like tiny story-tellers and memory-keepers.
And some places seem to have been designed for postcards. San Marino, perched on Mount Titano, is one of them. St. John’s, with its colorful Jellybean houses overlooking the Atlantic, is another. And then there are places like Lisbon, where almost every tiled façade feels like a photograph waiting to happen.
So here’s 6 reasons why postcards make the perfect souvenir to bring home:
1. Postcards are a light and affordable souvenir
Some souvenirs weigh you down, but postcards don’t take up space in your luggage, and they won’t hurt your travel budget either because they’re usually the cheapest souvenir you can find out there. Even if you’re backpacking on a shoestring budget, postcards are treasures you can always afford.
2. Postcards Are A Window Into The Local Culture
Postcards often showcase more than just tourist attractions. They capture the mood of a city, the art style of a region, or quirky slices of local humor. From hand-painted designs to vintage-inspired prints, each postcard is a little cultural gem you can hold in your hand.
3. Postcards Are Personal and Meaningful
A postcard carries not only an image but also your handwritten words. It’s a personal souvenir because it’s tied to your unique story—what you saw, how you felt, and who you shared the journey with. Years later, reading your own notes on a postcard can transport you back to that exact moment.
4. Postcards are Collectible and Creative Souvenirs
Postcards are more than souvenirs—they’re wonderful collectibles with endless possibilities. Some travelers keep them in albums, others pin them on their walls (like me!), or slip them between the pages of a book as bookmarks (also like me 🤭). I love using them in scrapbooks, analogue collages, or even as little journal entries. Each card can become part of a larger story, turning your travels into a living work of art. And that’s the magic of postcards: they’re not souvenirs you toss in a drawer and forget. They invite you to stay engaged, creative, and connected to the adventures that inspired them, keeping that magic alive longer.
5. Postcards Make it Easy to Share the Journey
Unlike souvenirs you keep for yourself, postcards are designed to be shared. Sending one to a friend or family member is like mailing a piece of your adventure directly into their hands. In a world of instant texts and social media, a handwritten postcard feels thoughtful and rare.
6. A Souvenir That Ages Well
Magnets break and t-shirts fade, but postcards, however, can be that unique souvenir that only grows more valuable with time. A simple card bought for cents can turn into a cherished memory or even a collector’s item, decades later. I recently developed a passion for collecting vintage postcards. I do not possess any rare pieces at the moment, but some old postcards are considered valuable antiques and are sought after by the collectors. Here you can find a list with the 20 most valuable vintage postcards.
Final thoughts: The Poetry of a Postcard
At their heart, postcards are more than paper and ink. They’re tiny poems written on paper, filled with memories, culture, and care. Whether you keep them for yourself or send them across the world, they remind us that travel is not just about places, but about connections and stories worth sharing.
Tip: Most gift shops where you can find postcards, also sell stamps, making the process of actually sending a postcard to a loved one or even to yourself much easier.
So next time you travel, don’t overlook the humble postcard. Slip one into your backpack, write down your thoughts, and carry home a memory that fits in the palm of your hand, but lasts a lifetime.
I would love to know if there is anyone else there who loves to collect postcards, so do let me know in the comments!
St. John’s travel guide: Canada’s Easternmost City
Fado in Lisbon: A Magical Portuguese Music Experience
Where to Eat in Lisbon: 5 Spots Every Foodie Should Try
Twelve best things to do in Lisbon
5 Things to Know Before Visiting the Azores
