The Art of the Holiday Souvenir
How a collection of tacky souvenirs became a film reel of my favourite memories.
Somewhere along the line, entirely by accident, I became a key ring collector.
It happened slowly. One day, I’d realised I’d accumulated several key rings from different places I’d been on holiday: Mallorca, Croatia, Portugal. On closer inspection, I noticed they shared the same cookie-cutter design – bright patriotic colours, an iconic local landmark, and a tag declaring the destination in block capitals. Some would say they were tacky; I would say they had personality.
‘That’s it’, I thought. ‘I’m going to start collecting ugly key rings from all the places I visit’.
At first, it felt like a fun little game: to find as many matching key rings from as many different destinations as possible. They came in all different shapes and sizes. A bike from Amsterdam. A harp from Dublin. A pigeon from Kraków.
Then, the collection started to grow. It went from holiday souvenirs to experience memoirs, and soon, I was leaving West End shows and music concerts with a jangle in my pocket. In short: if I didn’t leave with a key ring, it didn’t happen. After each trip, I’d slip the new addition onto the master key ring, satisfied with having yet another memory immortalised.
Now, when I look at the cluster of silver that hangs by my door, I see more than just a metallic eyesore. I see a collection of moments that have shaped the past few years of my life. I see my friend and I laughing, after very nearly getting flattened by a bike in Amsterdam. I see the harp on a Guinness glass, clinking pints as I catch up with old friends in Dublin. I see the torrential downpour in Kraków, sprinting past the pigeons in the main square to find shelter.
Others may see a cheap, mass-produced collection of tourist junk. Me? I see a film reel of life’s latest highlights, molded into metal. In the end, maybe it’s more than just a cheesy key ring or a tacky fridge magnet. Maybe it’s proof that the best memories stay with us, long after the experience ends.
