Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part Three - 3 to 1)

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part Three - 3 to 1)

 
3.Books (especially Cookbooks). One of my favorite  summer vacation mementos is a cookbook of New England favorite dishes gifted to me by a young family member returning from one of her first summer trips away on her own.  The cookbook is treasured for both its pretty photos and the thoughtfulness of the giver who took time to recognize her travel and the family who was missed during the summer trip away.

2.Photos (with a waterproof camera).   In this day and age when everyone carries a digital camera it can be surprising that a throw away camera might still have some use.  I recommend one to create great summer action photos as mementos of either at home or away summer fun.   Waterproof cameras can be bought for a little money and make for carefree photos of many water related activities from super soaker water toy play, to sprinkler fun, to underwater swim escapades.  No problem if you get these cameras wet - that is the goal wet and wonderful pleasure and photos.

1.Tee Shirts.  Here is the ultimate summer memento an artifact of the great American vacation quietly granting bragging rights and summer community allegiance with a few words or pictures pressed, printed or knitted into a simple cotton shirt.  Perfect in its simplicity; everyone in the family can appreciate and wear one.  The price is usually right too.  Enshrine your favorite summer memory.  Buy a tee shirt  - the number one memento of a summer  "vacay." 

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part Two - 6 to 4)

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part Two - 6 to 4)

Below are three more summer mementos in the list.

6.Shopping Bargains.  Remember to hit the outlet mall and find your super large beach towel, leather handbag or fine crystal to showcase your vacation shopping talents.  And how about Christmas in July - stock up now and be ready to avoid those December crowds.  You can also shop the local craftspeople and their stores for beautiful jewelry and crafts.

5.Seashells and other creatures.  In addition to seashells there may be starfish and urchin to bring back from the sea. Collect every day and decorate beach style at home.  Some will be lucky enough to even discover a  beach conch shell.  Find  information on beach shells at this link http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/10-best-us-shelling-beaches.

4.Hats.  One of my favorite hat mementos was a Detroit Pistons black "bad boy" cap that was actually given as a gift on my return home at the airport from a working vacation. Yet, I enjoyed seeing it worn almost as much as the wearer.  Ultimately and regretfully, it was torn up most thoroughly through frequent wear.  Another favorite memento of almost archetypal status is my rice farmer hat woven from straw.  It was a real not tourist item that I used for actual sun protection abroad until finally sporting it on my arrival back home at Dulles airport.  I show a picture of this favorite sun hat in tribute to the many workers who used these hats daily for sun protection in Asia.  They really work quite well. 

To be continued...
And for other great summer top ten lists see this link http://www.orbitz.com/blog/category/top-10-lists/.

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part One - 10 to 7)

Top Ten List - Mementos of a Summer Vacation (Part One  - 10 to 7)

This post starts a series on the things that help remind of the pleasures of summer.  It is a guide to trinkets and take homes of all types that reflect the best of summer leisure.

10.Candy and other foodstuffs.  Certain kinds of candy have become happy symbols of  the sun and fun of a summer vacation.  One of these specialities is salt water taffy a favorite memento of a summer break spent on the Atlantic ocean and often brought back to the office for quick consumption by those who stayed behind to man the trenches.  For another sticky memento there is that famous treat of the summer, cotton candy, often found at the local fair or amusement park. These sweets are short lived but welcome reminders of summer's joys.

9.Pencils, Pens and Paperweights.  At least some of us have returned home from summer break with favors to adorn our desks.  That pencil with the funny eraser top and the  brightly colored embossing proclaims the perfect destination and reminds one that only a little while ago the vision glimpsed a sparkling pool  with float instead of an office desk.  And there are always snow globes to delight with a fast shake of the plastic flakes suspended in liquid. These mementos create a personal desk top environment with the flavor of your vacation paradise, as one eases back into a  work day routine.

8.Postcards (unsent).  Those fine photographs need not always be sent off with that accompanying  "wish you were here" sentiment.  Instead it is fun to save a few cards for a personal collection and display some shots randomly to gently remind of the glory of a favorite summer locale.  And I like to remember to save a couple of brochures and tour maps to plan return travel for another summer.

7.Keychains.  For an everyday reminder of summer travel this is the choice for a take home memento.  Fire up the car engine in the dead of winter with a smile and look forward to returning to the warm climate of your summer vacation.  And if time allows go early and make it a spring break - why wait until the summer. 

To be continued....