How to Organize Travel Mementos

Summer is the perfect season for travel—whether you're jetting off on a big adventure or road-tripping a few towns over. Along the way, we often collect little tokens: ticket stubs, magnets, maps, postcards, or matchbooks. These souvenirs hold meaning, but without a plan, they can quickly turn into clutter.

Sentimental items can pile up over time especially after summer vacations. But with a little creativity and a few simple systems, you can honor those special memories in a clutter-free way that fits into your home organizing goals.

Here’s how to keep your summer souvenirs organized, accessible, and meaningful:

1. Get Clear on What You Actually Want to Keep

Before you dive into organizing, take stock. Spread out all your travel mementos from this summer—or even past trips—and ask yourself:

• Does this item spark a meaningful memory?

• Would I ever display or revisit it?

• Do I have duplicates?

Decluttering is always the first step in any home organizing project. Toss blurry photos, torn brochures, and anything you kept “just because.” Keep the items that make you smile and tell a story.

2. Pick a Display or Storage Theme

When it comes to souvenirs, less is more. Choose one or two ways you’ll consistently store or display your travel keepsakes. Not only does this cut down on clutter, but it also helps you develop a cohesive style that feels intentional.

Here are a few fun, low-clutter options:

• Shadow Boxes

  Use a shadow box to create a mini time capsule of your trip. Include a map, tickets, a few small trinkets, and a photo. Label the date and destination. These look great on shelves and are easy to swap out with each new adventure.

• Magnet Boards

  If magnets are your thing, skip the crowded fridge and hang a framed magnet board in a hallway or kitchen. It keeps them organized, visually fun, and all in one place.

• Travel Journal or Scrapbook

  For paper lovers, this is a great way to combine photos, notes, and keepsakes like stickers, postcards, or matchbooks. Keep a blank notebook or digital version handy to fill in while memories are still fresh.

• Souvenir Bins or Binders

  For families, consider a labeled memory bin or binder for each person. Use plastic sleeves or folders to sort mementos by trip. It’s great for kids’ drawings, park maps, or pressed pennies—without cluttering the whole house.

3. Repurpose Your Collections

Some mementos double as décor when displayed creatively. Here are a few home organizing hacks to incorporate souvenirs into your daily life:

• Matchboxes or Pins: Display in glass jars, shadow frames, or clear vases. They add personality to bookshelves or entryway tables.

• Maps: Frame them or turn them into DIY art by cutting them into shapes (like hearts or states) and mounting them in a grid.

• Stickers & Patches: Stickers can be added to a family travel journal, cooler, or water bottles. Patches look great sewn onto a tote bag or displayed on a pinboard.

These ideas not only keep things organized but also allow you to enjoy your collections rather than stash them in a forgotten drawer.

4. Set Boundaries to Avoid Future Clutter

Souvenirs pile up when we collect on autopilot. One of my top tips as a home organizing professional is to choose a souvenir strategy before your trip. For example:

• “We’ll get one magnet and one postcard per location.”

• “We’ll collect ticket stubs and take a family photo at each major stop.”

• “We’ll each choose one small item to keep from the trip.”

This approach adds intention to your travels and makes organizing afterward that much easier. Or for those with children, “You can pick one souvenir/toy only not TEN.” Oh wait, that’s just my kids that ask for everything :)

5. Turn Digital Memories into Tangible Keepsakes

Don’t forget the hundreds of photos and videos sitting on your phone. Pick a few favorites to print or turn into a photo book at the end of the summer. Services like Chatbooks, Shutterfly, or even local printers make it easy to create beautiful, clutter-free mementos you’ll actually look at again.

I personally have found Chatbooks to be less overwhelming to keep up with than Shutterfly in my current season of life. However, I have many Shutterfly books in our collection as well. Do what works best for you.

A Professional Organizing Service Can Help

If you feel overwhelmed by the pile of past vacation memorabilia—or clutter in general—consider working with a professional organizing service. We help families declutter with care and find systems that make daily life feel lighter, not busier.

Whether you need help tackling that overstuffed memory bin, organizing your home office, or just setting up better systems for sentimental storage, an experienced home organizing professional can make all the difference.

You don’t have to choose between memory-making and a tidy home. With a few thoughtful strategies, your summer adventures can be preserved in a way that’s both meaningful and manageable.

Ready to clear the clutter and make space for what matters? Let’s chat about how our organizing service can help you stay on top of your space—and your memories—all year long.

Jessica is the founder of Signature Organizing, a Professional Home Organizing Business in Washington (servicing the greater Eastside and Seattle area). She loves transforming chaos into functional spaces and is known for bringing creative solutions to improve the quality of life for her clients. She shares her tips and tricks on Instagram @signatureorganizing