Souvenirs: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, I almost always pick up something small whenever I travel. I like having a tangible reminder of the trip, so I usually look for fridge magnets or local crafts. Last year in Scotland, I bought a lovely woollen coaster that sits on my desk.

To be honest, I lean towards practical things rather than decorative trinkets. Edible items are my favourite, like regional spices, artisanal jams, or traditional sweets. When I visited Italy, I brought home a bottle of local olive oil which my family really enjoyed.

Quite often, actually. My sister went to Japan a few months ago and brought me back a hand-carved wooden bookmark. It was very thoughtful because she knows how much I love reading, and it is far better than getting a generic key ring.

I certainly did. As a child, I used to collect postcards from every seaside town we visited around the coast. My parents would help me stick them into a scrapbook, and I was genuinely proud of how thick the album became over the years.

I suppose some tourists definitely go overboard, especially in crowded gift shops where items are horribly overpriced. However, if you purchase something authentic directly from a local maker, I think it is a worthwhile expense rather than just a waste of money.