Let me just begin by saying that the pull toward keychains and mugs from street vendors while traveling is fun when you want to be ironically touristy. But when it comes to buying souvenirs that will help you remember your trip on a more personal level, those things can become rather difficult to come across. Or to even identify when you see them. Which is why I have dedicated a substantial amount of my time searching for some of the most unconventional souvenirs to buy in a few different locations in Italy.
1.) Scenery (or other) postcards to be put in frames
I've been seeing a lot of "travel wall" photos from people who travel a lot. They dedicate a wall in their home to the photos and items they picked up while traveling to different places. One of these things has been postcards placed in picture frames.
These can be of any location or topic. My personal favorites have been the watercolor-looking ones of the most prominent landmark in whatever area I bought it from (the Duomo in Florence, for example).
Good news: They're cheap. Postcards are usually sold for 50 cents to €1.
More good news: If you're looking to send them to someone, the stores that sell them usually offer that service for customers.
2.) Novels in Italian
Italy is known for, and quite proud of, their role in the children's story "Pinocchio." Throughout Florence, there are a few stores dedicated to the wooden boy and his story. Though you can purchase these items (a puppet on strings is popular), perhaps buying the story of Pinocchio in Italian from a bookstore would create a more wholesome experience. The biggest chain of bookstores I've found is called La Feltrinelli RED.
If you're going to be living in another country for a decent amount of time, learning to understand the language will help immerse you even more into the area, and reading it is a great way to do that.
If "Pinocchio" isn't of your interest, any other book would suffice; however, a children's book is best for beginners of the language. These typically go for €9 to €12.
3.) Wine stoppers from Venice
Buying glass in Venice is what people do, and that's okay. Jewelry from shops and handmade glass from factories are absolutely beautiful. But if you're looking for something to incorporate into your home, wine stoppers are something to consider. I bought two from a smaller store in Venice for €10 each.
4.) A puzzle
The specific store she purchased the shoes from were one of the first stores right off of the boat in Capri. However, other sto res on the island do this, too. Specifically, Capri Handmade has a tor in all of us. Puzzles can be found in most gift shops with a variety of themes. They could also be sealed together and added to your travel wall once you finish it!
(The puzzle I included is from the Firenze Musei Store. It's a 1,000 piece puzzle of the David statue. It's €17.)
5.) Handmade shoes from Capri
One of the most unique gifts I've seen were handmade shoes while traveling in Capri. One of my roommates bought a pair of sandals for € 65 and a store employee sat outside on a bench, with tools, and put them together in front of us.
He would take the curved end of a hammer and pull the material of the sole upward in the spots where the straps would go. Then he slid the edges of the straps in the holes he made and hammer two very tiny needles inside to keep them in place. He continued this method until the straps were all hammered in place. After that, he sent the shoes to another man inside the store to finalize the work and double check that everything was in place.
The specific store she purchased the shoes from were one of the first stores right off of the boat in Capri. However, other stores on the island do this, too. Specifically, Capri Handmade has a website.
6.) Items from nature
Two memories come to mind with this souvenir idea: Sea glass in Positano and a lava rock from the hike up Mt. Vesuvius. These items have no value, but the memories they hold are very personal. Positano also has black sand and there are some people who kept that in a bottle, too.
7.) Ticket stubs, receipts, etc.
Lastly, and probably the most cliché yet unconventional souvenirs, are ticket stubs, receipts and other likely items. Tap back into your high school days when you saved the ticket stubs from your first movie theater date with this idea.
Lastly, and probably the most cliché yet unconventional souvenirs, are ticket stubs, receipts and other likely items. Tap back into your high school days when you saved the ticket stubs from your first movie theater date with t his idea.