Over the past year or so I’ve been making a conscious effort to buy less stuff (I’m also trying to get rid of stuff I no longer use but that’s proving to be a slow process). The one time I don’t stick to my rule of not buying stuff is on holiday because, well, what could be better than having reminders of foreign trips, and the associated happy memories, filling my home and wardrobe?

The picture above shows my (holiday) haul from my recent trip to Iceland. It includes: 1) A bunch of menus and cards from restaurants and hotels I visited on my trip 2) A bottle of Icelandic vodka I picked up in Duty Free 3) A bar of chocolate that I bought because I liked the packaging but also because it was called Dirty Blonde and, well, I just couldn’t not 4) A pair of chunky knitted socks that will keep my toes toasty this winter 5) A bottle of hair and body cleanser (aka shower gel). Another Duty Free purchase, when I spotted the brand that was in the bathrooms at Ion (one of the hotels I stayed at) I couldn’t resist a purchase. It contains wild Icelandic birch and all manner of uplifting essential oils and, whenever I use it, I’m instantly transported back to my Icelandic adventure. 6) A copy of a local magazine. So, erm, yeah, I didn’t do too badly!

I love that when I look around my home I’m reminded of past holidays. The paintings I bought in Costa Rica that sit on the mantelpiece in my spare room (one day to be my office) make me think of endless sun-drenched days practicing yoga, learning to surf and lazing on the beach. The plaid shirt that I’m wearing as I type takes me back to a frenetic 48 hours in Tokyo, a city I hope I return to one day. And the colourful bag hanging on the back of my door that I haggled for (fairly unsuccessfully) at the night market puts me in mind of temples and tasty food in Laos.

Of course holiday purchases don’t always work out. One that really didn’t was the bright blue hammock I bought in Mexico many years ago. At the time I lived in a shared flat without a garden and my room was the teeniest double you ever saw. There was room for a bed and a clothes rail. I have no idea where I thought I was going to put a hammock…

Over to you. What treasures have you found on your travels? And any travel tat to admit to? Do share in the comments selection below!