Souvenir
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A souvenir (from French, for memory), memento or keepsake is an object a traveler brings home for the memories associated with it. Souvenirs include clothing such as T-shirts or hats, postcards, refrigerator magnets, miniature figures, household items such as mugs and bowls, ashtrays, egg timers, spoons, notepads, and many others. They may be marked to indicate their origin such as "A Souvenir from Clacton-on-Sea".
In Japan, souvenirs are known as meibutsu (products associated with a particular region); and omiyage, candies or other edibles to be shared with co-workers. Omiyage sales are big business at Japanese tourist sites.
Travelers may buy souvenirs as gifts for those who did not make the trip.
[edit] Memorabilia
Similar to a souvenir, memorabilia (from Latin, for memorable) is an object that is treasured for its memories; however, unlike souvenirs, memorabilia are valued for a connection to a historical, sporting event, culture, entertainment. Such items include cigarette cards, air sickness bags, publicity photographs, posters, entertainment-related merchandise, movie memorabilia, pins and other, often-licensed, items.
[edit] Souvenirs in Japan
In Japan, souvenirs are called omiyage. These are gifts given by someone returning from a trip, to be given to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, business associates, teachers, classmates and any other person socially related to the returning vacationer. By convention, it is shameful to arrive or return empty-handed and such acts as going on a vacation away from one's society could be perceived as selfish or anti-social.[citation needed] Omiyage shows the traveler was thinking of the family and community members while away.
Because of the number of omiyage often required following a vacation, travelers need to buy souvenirs in bulk (it is not unusual to bring one empty suitcase solely for them). Thoughtfulness is always an issue, the souvenir cannot look too cheap, and it is preferred it be something practical like towels, dinnerware, tasteful decorative items, broadly-popular foods and the like. It is not even necessary the object to be particularly relevant to the place visited. Key chains and unfamiliar foods are not well received.
Places that cater to Japanese travelers will offer selections of omiyage arranged by price, size and category. Several items of omiyage are often kept by households to give at a moment's notice to avoid embarrassments. Due to the expense and effort involved in collecting and distributing the souvenir, Japanese are often very close-lipped about their travel plans, hoping to minimize their omiyage responsibilities.
[edit] See also
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