7 Clever Ways to Bring Home More Christmas Market Souvenirs
Whether you're a seasoned Christmas market-goer or planning your very first visit, the joy of perusing the stalls and bringing home holiday cheer is unmatched. However, optimizing your shopping experience at the Christmas Markets in Europe often requires a bit of strategy, especially when it comes to packing your Christmas market souvenirs for the journey home. Check out these seven clever tactics that will have you and your luggage full of Christmas goodness home for the holidays with ease.
1. Invest in an Expandable Carry-On Suitcase
Making sure you have ample space for all your Christmas market souvenirs is crucial. An expandable carry-on suitcase is a game-changer, enabling you to go from a perfectly organized small bag for your outbound flight to one full of extra goodies that can be checked on your return trip home. The Beis Rolling Carry-On has always been our top pick for its durability and stylish design. Still, others on Amazon (linked below) have similar versatility.
The beauty of packing an expandable carry-on versus checked luggage or an extra suitcase is that no extra baggage needs to be unnecessarily lugged around if you don't fill up your suitcase with bulky things. But if you find a few too many goodies to bring home, you'll save a pretty penny by only needing to check a bag one way.
Embrace flexibility when it comes to packing – the ability to adjust to unexpected purchases can make all the difference. After all, stumbling upon a unique ornament or souvenir that perfectly captures the spirit of the season is an opportunity too great to overlook. The right expandable suitcase can ensure you bring home memories and tangible reminders of your adventures without the stress of overpacking.
The Four Best Expandable Carry On Suitcases
Beis The Carry-On Roller Expandable Luggage - Typically $218
Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside Carry-On Luggage - Typically $83
Wrangler Smart Luggage - Typically $59
Travelers Club Chicago Hardside Expandable Spinner Luggage - Typically $43
2. Under Pack
Hear us out! We love to have many options when going on a big, fun trip, and it's so easy to overpack for winter. But take a moment to think about it – the warm layers you wear, such as sweaters, scarves, and jackets, actually cover nearly your entire outfit. By strategically packing versatile pieces, you can effortlessly mix and match, creating various looks without the need for a cute but bulky sweater for every day.
So, instead of bringing a different sweater or two for each day, cut that packing list in and either bring more scarves or plan to buy them when you get to Europe. Saving up to splurge on your European hats and scarves will mix up the whole look and serve as a fantastic memento of your travels.
3. Pack an Expandable Duffle Bag
This clever product is truly a game-changer for Christmas marketgoers. An expandable duffle bag that acts as a reliable backup plan for those unexpected Christmas market souvenirs you find on your journeys is ingeniously designed for those who dread the thought of lugging around a second full-size bag but still want the flexibility to accommodate any holiday finds.
The pouch can be expanded to accommodate additional goodies, ensuring you have enough space for all your souvenirs without the previous hassle of an extra bag. We bought this one (pictured above) last year because we knew we were going to markets and bringing home Christmas market goodies! It folds up to be a small flat square that's only about the size of your hand for easy packing and then becomes nearly the size of a large carry-on suitcase or backpack when it's expanded.
Kait at the Christmas market in Riga, Latvia
4. Dress for Christmas Market Souvenirs Storage Space
Layers aren't just great for tackling the brisk, chilly ambiance of bustling markets; they have an equally practical dual purpose. By choosing to wear your bulkier, heavier clothing items, such as jackets, sweaters, and boots, on the plane, you create more space in your luggage for other essentials.
This strategy is less about comfort and more about avoiding the hassle and expense of additional bags or facing those pesky overweight baggage fees at the airport. Our top tip is always wearing your biggest, bulkiest clothes like your sweater, down jacket, and winter boots on the plane. It might be hot and stuffy, but consider your down jacket an extra pillow or back support for the plane ride home. Another pro bulky packing tip? Pack your socks and underwear in the shoes inside your suitcase. This always saves tons of room!
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5. Bring Along a Canvas Tote for Christmas Market Souvenirs
When you fly, you can check luggage, carry-on luggage, and personal items. If we're checking bags, we often only need to bring a backpack and maybe a small cross-body bag onto the plane. But, as we're coming back from markets, that backpack often gets overstuffed with cute Christmas market mugs, and we find ourselves wishing you had just a little bit more room!
A compact canvas tote, ingeniously designed to fold into practically nothing, becomes an essential companion, slipping easily inside a small pocket or purse until it's summoned into action. This is the perfect solution if you won't fill an entire expandable duffle with goodies but still need peace of mind and security to have a little extra space if required.
It also comes in handy when shopping at the markets as very few Christmas market booths give you bags for your goodies. We’ve always wanted one that matches the vibe and spririt of the markets, so we made our own! Shop it for yourself here!
What To Pack for Your Christmas Markets Trip
Unsure of what to pack for your winter getaway? We’ve got the perfect list just for you! Check out what to pack for your Christmas market adventure here.
6. Purchase an Extra Suitcase in Europe
Suppose you REALLY buy a lot and need one more full suitcase to bring home your Christmas market souvenirs. In that case, you can always find travel or luggage stores in Europe's larger cities. While this solution might only be for some, it's an essential reminder that you aren't stranded in a desolate location with no solutions to your problems.
Like America, Australia, Canada, South Africa, or other expansive non-European countries, you can easily find almost anything you need in Europe. Like anywhere else, they have large shopping malls, department stores, pharmacies, and specialty boutique shops alongside the magical Christmas markets. While it might not be the prime moment for detailed comparison shopping or sticking strictly to familiar brands, securing an extra piece of luggage can be just what's needed to have the merriest flight home.
7. Ship Bulky & Fragile Finds Home
One of the smartest moves? Ship fragile or bulky souvenirs directly from Europe, instead of stuffing them into your suitcase. Many national postal services—think Poste Italiane, Royal Mail, or Deutsche Post—offer international shipping rates that beat airline baggage fees, especially when boxes are packed smart. For example, Poste Italiane ships a 10 kg parcel to the U.S. for about €60, while some travelers noted that slow boat/shipping options are even cheaper than air courier services.
Just be sure to declare each item accurately, fill out the required customs form (detailed descriptions like “hand‑blown glass ornament” are key), and keep value declarations under the duty‑free threshold—usually around €150 in the EU. Sellers in tourist-heavy markets often help with VAT-free export shipping too, which can offset postage costs. If you're bringing home mugs, glassware, or artisanal treasures, shipping might just be your holiday-saving superpower.
Mug from the Christmas Market in Frankfurt, Germany
Pro Tips to Make Sure Your Fragile Christmas Market Souvenirs Get Home Safely:
Each market is brimming with unique and fragile souvenirs that capture the magic of the season, from hand-painted baubles to delicate glass ornaments. Bringing these treasures back home safely can be a bit of a challenge, but worry not! With carful planning and travel savvy, you can ensure your precious finds make the journey intact. Here are some of the most practical ways to protect your Christmas market souvenirs on your flight home:
1. Bring Packing Supplies: While we personally never travel with bubble wrap, we have many friends that swear by it! Bring bubble wrap or tissue paper to individually wrap each fragile item. For extra protection, consider double-wrapping the most delicate pieces.
2. Wrap It Up In Socks, Scarves, and Hats: Instead of bringing bubble wrap, we wrap our Christmas market souvenirs and mugs in our winter gear. We put mugs into a wool sock and wrap the rest of the sock around it for extra protection. If we have any smaller trinkets, we will layer an extra scarf around it and put it inside a shoe to both keep it protected and to save space.
3. Carry On When Possible: Always try to carry fragile items with you. Keep your treasures close to prevent any lost mementos to lost luggage!
4. Label as Fragile: If you must check your souvenirs, clearly label the outside of your suitcase as “Fragile” to encourage gentler handling by airline staff.
5. Use Hard Shell Luggage: A hard shell suitcase offers better protection against bumps and knocks that can occur during handling and transit.
6. Pack Smart: Distribute heavier items at the bottom (wheels side) of your suitcase and lighter, more fragile items on top. This prevents heavier items from crushing your Christmas market souvenirs. Packing this way also makes for a suitcase that's easier to roll!