We all do it. Stashing away that precious boarding pass from a far-flung adventure, or carefully preserving that train ticket from a weekend city break.
And it’s no surprise this habit will continue as Easyjet’s latest findings are that Brits plan to splurge on 3 holidays and visit more new destinations in 2025.
But did you know there’s actually a word for this cherished travel habit? It’s called Ephemera – items that were not originally designed to be retained or preserved, but have been collected or kept.
According to Jamie Fraiser, travel expert at WildPack American Summer Camps, “Tickets, boarding passes, and even those crumpled receipts from a delicious meal at a local café, are all perfect examples of Ephemera – and after the event become more than just pieces of paper. tangible reminders of unforgettable experiences – the thrill of take-off, the anticipation of arrival, the joy of exploring a new place.
“Travel tickets are more than just pieces of paper. They are emotional triggers. When you look at that boarding pass from your summer working in America, it instantly transports you back to that feeling of excitement and anticipation.”
For many, these offer a cheap, and far more meaningful way to remember trips, and are light enough for longer term travel in your bag.”
WildPack’s 5 tips for collecting your own Ephemera
- Create a dedicated travel folder or scrapbook: This is a classic way to organize and display your tickets, photos, and other travel memorabilia.
- Consider framing your favourite tickets or boarding passes: This is a great way to showcase your most cherished travel memories.
- Digitize your collection: Scan or photograph your mementos to create digital backups.
- Be ruthless: Not every napkin or scrap of paper on your trip needs to be kept, but only those moments you want to convert to memories.
- Don’t forget your accommodation – Business cards are usually high quality and unique items to grab from check-out if you’ve not got something from a location.