Around the World in 10 Christmas Baubles

Our Christmas-Decoration-as-Travel-Souvenirs obsession started back in 2013. Tired of the same old fridge magnets and shot glasses, we picked up a bauble or two on our New England road trip, and we haven’t looked back since. The best bit is rediscovering them every year in early December, when our favourites get pride of place on the Christmas tree. This year more than ever we’ve indulged in travel memories, so here’s my “Around The World in 10 Christmas Baubles”

Maine Christmas Lobster

The Maine Christmas Lobster is where it all started. This little guy never fails to make me smile when he’s unwrapped every year. He reminds me of drizzly days exploring Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, seeking out the best seafood places to eat and testing the quality of the blueberry pies.

Christmas Mexican

We never expected to find a Christmas Decoration in Mexico. In July. But we spotted this little Mariachi man and knew he had to leave Playa Del Carmen behind and adorn our Christmas tree. He brings back memories of nachos on the beach, snorkelling with turtles and dipping into ice cold cenotes, before drowning in tequila cocktails at the all-inclusive bar.

Salzburg Mozart

Not technically a Christmas bauble, a tiny little Wolfgang Amadeus with moveable arms and legs was the perfect trinket from our trip to Salzburg with Ma and Pa Lee. Unwrapping this miniature maestro I remember dancing through Mirabelle Gardens, yodelling across mountains, and “I Heart Salzburg” umbrellas purchased hastily after arriving in a torrential downpour.

Cinque Terre Bauble

We were back collecting fridge magnets during our Italian trip, but I noticed a beautifully boxed bauble on our last stop in Cinque Terre and had to buy it. To date it’s the only one that gets packaged up in it’s own cushioned box at the end of the festive season. It makes me reminisce about train strikes, accidental hikes and the best picnic lunch ever sitting on the rocks of Manarola.

Bedgellert Santa

Not all of our souvenir baubles are from far-flung places. After moaning, groaning and crying my way up Mount Snowdon I wanted more than just blisters to remind me of my feat. Our apartment in Bedgellert was located above the village gift shop, and I couldn’t resist this little Welsh Santa as a memento.

A Rothenburg Snowman

Rothenburg-ob-de-Tauber in South Germany looks like one of those little model villages that you find in fancy garden centres at this time of year. All timbered houses, cobbled streets and medieval city walls. And it has a Christmas shop, meaning that Christmas baubles can be purchased at any time of the year.

Canadian Mountie

Who can go to the Canadian Rockies and NOT come back with some sort of Mountie souvenir? We picked up this little guy in Whistler (after buying a cute pair of bears in Jasper) and he makes me think of our amazing overnight train journey, clambering up a snowy hill for views of Peyto Lake, and devouring buttermilk chicken and waffles in a rowdy sports bar.

Vienna Bauble

Vienna has the most wonderful Christmas markets, dotted around the city. The perfect place to buy a festive trinket or two. This bauble reminds me of goulash served in bread bowls, hot Aperol Spritz and trying to work out what the devil was going on at our first ever opera.

Costa Rica Christmas Macaw

Opportunities for Christmas bauble shopping on our Costa Rica tour were scarce. There aren’t many gift shops in the jungle. Or in a rainforest. But thankfully I managed to get quite the souvenir haul at the airport. Two mugs and a Scarlet Macaw Christmas decoration. This bauble simply reminds me of great friendships made on that trip.

Handcrafted in Cologne

When we purchased this lovely handmade decoration from one of the many Christmas markets in Cologne we had no idea that this would be our final trip for a while. So this reminds me of how lucky we have been to travel, to have the finances to do so, and the freedom to hop into Europe for city breaks and sunshine holidays. Sadly, with COVID-19 and Brexit the future of travel looks increasingly uncertain.

Sometimes travel-themed Christmas Baubles are elusive. There were none to be found in Malta or Naxos. Unsurprisingly, Christmas markets yield the best offering for festive trinkets. In Aachen, we couldn’t decide between the baubles so ended up bringing a whole family of Christmas cuties home with us.

Do you collect Christmas baubles when you travel? Let me know your favourites in the comments!