You know I collect postcards. Actually, I collect all kinds of things. Always have. Postcards, Archie comic books, pencils, buttons, thimbles, you name it. I encouraged my children to collect things as well, though I’ve come to realize that I’ve collected their collections now, too.
For instance, I started them each on collecting souvenir pennies from our various vacation spots. Whenever I see a penny machine, I start digging in my purse for change and send them over to pick a pattern, line up the image, and start cranking. Once the flattened penny clinks into the tray at the bottom, I hold out my hand, generously offering to hold their souvenirs in my purse for safekeeping. They always hand them over and then never mention the pennies again. I don’t think either child even knows where “their” collections are stashed.
But I know.
I just added five more pennies from Disney World to the ones from New Orleans, Kennedy Space Center, The Alamo, Chicago, the Cincinnati Zoo, Nashville, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and all the other place they’ve I’ve been.
I’ll pretend I’m saving them for their children someday. But really, this collection is all mine.
What kind of souvenirs do your children collect on their travels?
Browsing The Atlas 
I can actually say I was an adult when I made a souvenir penny – ha! I love collecting magnets and ornaments – my three favorite ornaments are from my visits to Yosemite, Disneyland and Yellowstone 🙂
I sporadically collect magnets. They always break when I get home. But I do buy ornaments in each country I visit for my mother-in-law. She seems to love them, so that makes me happy. Every once in a while I remember to buy myself one, too.
too funny! I have a couple of these pennies (for my daughter, which I too am safe keeping) but no where near as many as you. For my oldest, 4, I write her postcards wherever we go, she has a huge stash now! For my youngest…well she has nothing, oops. My husband & I try to buy a piece of art work (painting, mask, sculpture etc) or something for our house, usually it works out but not always 😦
Interesting. Until 1981 defacing a coin was illegal in the UK. I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen those machines which appear to be common in the US.
Yes, they are very common in the US. You put in $0.50 and a penny and it flattens and embosses the penny. I have found a few in Europe that use small coins, but not many.
I love souvenier pennies, too! But the things I love to collect are the little souvenier spoons with the great little state seal or emblem on the end of them. I used to take them to my favorite jeweler and have them cut off the emblem and attach a link to it so I could add it to my charm bracelet I keep for just these little charms! I don’t think they make those spoons here in egypt, but you can bet if I ever see one, I’ll buy it!
♥♥♥ ;^)
Oh, I remember those! My great aunt collected them. I collected charms to add to my charm bracelet, but never got around to attaching most, so rarely do that anymore. I should sit down and find all my charms and do it. Good luck finding spoons!
hahahaha I also love collecting things… I have lots of pennies too!
Yay! I keep wondering who else does this and whether children just get a souvenir penny and lose it. Which is what my children would have done if it weren’t for me. 🙂
hahaha true!!! And I guess I will do the same for my children one day 😀
Too funny. We have a drawer full of these also. And, our kid is grown. 🙂
You have souvenir pennies! That makes me so happy. I feel like I’m not alone. Mine are not in a drawer. My kids have no idea where they are. 🙂
I’ve never heard of souvenir pennies – I will have to keep an eye out for them… I love that “their” collection is actually yours 🙂
“Their” collection is now mine. So is most of their crap. 😉
I collect these too! I’d always get excited to see those machines and then wouldn’t understand why no one else seemed excited. I’ve noticed that in the UK and the EU, they don’t have these but some bigger landmarks will have souvenir coin machines so rather than squishing a perfectly normal coin, you pay for a larger ornamental coin.
Yes, I have a few of those. It’s definitely more expensive in Europe. But you’re right; there should be a long line for these coin machines! I mean, come on, people! There are souvenirs to be had. 🙂
Haha – you’ll have to make use of them by having a low-stakes game of family poker some time. I do love how some of these toys/games/souvenirs/etc do tend to be experiences for the parents.
Ich sammle Ansichtskarten aus ganz Europa, aber auch in kleine Nippes abgefüllten Sand von Küsten und Inseln aus der ganzen Welt. Ich sammelte alles, was mein Herz begehrte… but I am not a Messi 😉
I collect postcards from all over Europe, but also in small knickknacks filled sand of shores and islands of the world. I collected everything my heart desired … but I am not a Messi 😉
Ha ha, we all tend to forget that children aren’t extensions of their parents!! 😀 I am not a collector at all, I am a compulsive junker in fact! But your post made me wish I had held on to some of my Archie comics 🙂
I am pleased, thank’s 😀 Salue 😉
So true! My daughter has no interest in all the things I saved for her from my childhood. Nancy Drew books, Archie comics, etc. Maybe I’ll have a grandchild who wants these someday. Surely someone will humor me along the way! 🙂
🙂
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