The US sales of souvenirs is estimated to be a $16 billion dollar business. Hey, I am all for getting travel souvenirs too but I would recommend making sure that you can’t get them later, because you will need to tote them the rest of the day and home. For me, photos are almost the greatest memento of my travel experience more than, tourist trinkets. But I too have picked up the mini Eiffel tower and a plaster leaning tower of Pisa. One thing I used to purchase at every travel location was a city book. Almost all cities have their version of a Golden Book or Bonechi book about Barcelona, London, Capri or wherever you are located. Now, I quickly use my phone and look up the books on Amazon or Ebay.
Why purchase them in Spain (or wherever) and haul them all the way home when you can have them delivered to your door often for less than purchasing overseas. Especially with books (which can be heavy too), Again, I do a quick check on Amazon or Ebay while I’m in the shop. If the price is less or equal, I opt to purchase online and have delivered. I found that many of the books sold at the Louvre, Prado Museum or city books are generally found on Amazon or Ebay. I was able to pick-up The Prado Guide (480 pages) for around $7.00 in the US in “like new” condition where I would have spent over 20 Euros in Madrid. I know it isn’t massive savings but it paid for my next lunch and the item arrived at my doorstep at home!
If you don’t purchase online right away a picture also help you know exactly what the title was and dimensions. I have had both positive and negative experiences with not getting a photo of the book cover and simply relying on my memory. I was able to pick up a beautiful coffee table size copy of Louvre images for less than $10 (a steal) but purchases an Imperial Rome book that was two sizes smaller than expected for an “ok” price.
Some items from street vendors can have a negotiated price. I remember being at dinner in Rome when a vendor was offering a three-bowl carved wood piece for $40. I wasn’t sure it was worth $40 but my wife liked it so offered $15. I stood my ground and sure enough he was happy to do the deal for $15. It is one of my wife’s favorite items/memory of Rome and I liked the price, definitely a win/win scenario.
I look for souvenirs, wine or other items that are unique to the region and not easily found or accessible in the US. Some items, unique T-shirts, trinkets, postcards, and other items may be easy to stow and only found in that particular city. However, going to an H & M store and buying something in the UK that you can easily get in the US, simply doesn’t seem worth it to me. Likewise, going to Paris to shop for Chanel perfume on the Champs Elysée also feels odd and is likely overpriced. I do like unique experiences like going to Fortnum and Mason off of Piccadilly where you can get nice English teas, biscuits, Christmas crackers and other items that likely will be found nowhere else or going to a wine tasting and picking up a bottle or two that is only found locally. Unique souvenirs may cost a bit more, but to me they can have more impact and authenticity.
The Sane Adventurer 
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