You’re visiting Amsterdam and you want a little something to remember the city. Not something that screams “tourist” from your kitchen fridge or office filing cabinet, but something you can seamlessly integrate into your everyday life and respond to compliments with, “Oh yeah, I picked it up when I was in Amsterdam.”
A Canvas Tote
If you live in a walkable city, then you know that a good canvas bag is absolutely essential. I’ve used mine as a shopping bag, a diaper bag, even a makeshift camera bag. You can roll it up and stick it in your raincoat pocket and pull it out when you inevitably pass the grocery store and remember you’re out of milk.
When purchasing your canvas tote, pay attention to thickness and strap length if you want to get a lot of use out of it. I have several tote bags, most of them from Mamasocial Brunches, but my favorite is a super thick one from Albert Heijn with longer straps that I can comfortably sling it over my arm.
You can always find some that say “Amsterdam” but my favorites are the ones with minimalist floral designs that just hint at Amsterdam’s flower culture.
A Colorful Scarf from the Albert Cuyp Markt
Last winter these were all the rage here with the locals, and I’m guessing they’ll be back next year too. You can get them in every color combination imaginable, and they’re incredibly soft. I have a pastel version, which is very much in theme for me, and I wear it every day in the winter.
These make great gifts for friends and family back home because it’s something they’ll actually use. And it comes from a famous market in Amsterdam. Wrap a pack of stroopwafles or a wedge of cheese in it, and you’re golden.
A Rain Coat
If you’re traveling to Amsterdam in the fall and winter (who are we kidding, any time of year, really), then you should know by now that you absolutely need a rain coat. I’ve seen many a tourist wearing a sherpa coat that’s absolutely soaked through. Amsterdam rain is intense and you can be completely soaked through within minutes without a good raincoat. If you don’t already have one, you can walk from Amsterdam Centraal to several department stores. There’s H&M, TkMaxx, Primark, Zara, and Hema. Try to find a longer raincoat that covers your bottom and at least thighs. Mine comes down to my shins.
Tulip Bulbs
If you’re into gardening, you can purchase tulip bulbs to bring home and plant. Every time you look at them, you’d know you have a piece of Amsterdam. Just make sure that you purchase bulbs that are approved to bring back to your home country. The US requires a certification. You can get these at the Tulip Museum or one of the many flower stores.
A Bicycle Bell
If you hear the sound of a bicycle bell while walking through the city center, you just may be in the bicycle lane. Nevertheless, a cute bell makes a great souvenir for you or a cycling enthusiast. One of my neighbors has the cutest pink bell with little strawberries, and if the bell that came with my bike ever falls off, I know exactly what kind I’m getting!
An Outfit from a Vintage Store
There are an abundance of thrift stores in Amsterdam, and I would know since I had to rebuild my wardrobe when we moved to Amsterdam. I found the perfect pair of jeans for €3 at Kerk en Buurt and some cute pink pleated pants at Kringloop Kerkstraat. In fact, if you’ve seen the TV show Atlanta, one of the scenes takes place in a thrift store owned by the same guy as Kringloop Kerkstraat. You can follow them at @kringloop_amsterdam. You can also find all kinds of vintage stores in the city center where they’ve curated the selection of clothing, but significantly marked it up as well.
Stroopwafels
You can get these from the grocery store for a couple of euros, but the best ones are giant and warm, dipped and covered in specialty candy. I love the biscotti ones. Melly’s Stroopwafels are my favorite, but make sure you go to the separate stroopwafel entrance and not the cafe side to purchase your stroops. Now, of course, this souvenir won’t last, but you can purchase a tin box for the stroopwafels that you can continue to use even after you’ve eaten your stroops.
A Wedge of Cheese
Cheese Amsterdam lasts a little longer than the stroopwafels, but not much longer. The cheeses from Old Amsterdam and Amsterdam Cheese Company are amazing and I don’t even like cheese. You can walk around and try the samples until you find something you have to have a wedge of. They come sealed, so you can bring them to family and friends back home. If you can resist the temptation to eat it on the way home.
Delft Pottery
This popular pottery pattern is famously made in Delft. Bringing home a couple of plates to hang on the wall or even teacups you’ll use everyday is a non-flashy way to remember your trip to the Netherlands.
A Tattoo
My husband likes to get a tattoo in every country he visits, which absolutely did not happen because we travel faster than he can come up with tattoo ideas and sometimes our schedule is so packed that we don’t have time for a tattoo appointment. But I got my first (and only) tattoo on my trip to Amsterdam. I went to Femme Tattoo Studio located in Haarlem, which is a short train ride away from Amsterdam. I got a fine line tulip (before I knew how iconic tulips are in the Netherlands) and I love it anyway. When I get another tattoo, I will definitely go to Femme again. (Oh, pro tip: bring cash for eating out in Haarlem. Most places don’t take American cards. There’s an ATM at the Albert Heijn though.)
Permanent Jewelry
If you are planning on getting permanent jewelry, why not do it in Amsterdam?! One of my friends has a home studio in the Jordaan neighborhood where you can choose your chain and charms. Click here to go to her website to make an appointment. This is an understated souvenir that you will get to show off all the time.
A Photoshoot
Who are we kidding? Pinterest-worthy vacation photos are the gift that keeps on giving. Whether you’re cozying up on the canals with your fiancé, braving traveling with kids, or flying solo for the tenth time, you’ll never look back at your photos and wish you didn’t have them. To this day, I have a black and white polaroid of my great-grandfather in his 30s, leaning against a car like he was in a movie and I will treasure this keepsake for the rest of my life.
You can book a photoshoot on the booking tab on my website here or you can email me directly at simsawyersphotography.com.
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