What actually impresses people vs. what ends up in drawers

Let's be honest: nobody needs another Big Ben keychain. As an international student who's been navigating London life for a bit now, I've learned the hard way which souvenirs make people back home genuinely excited versus which ones end up buried in a drawer.

Here's what I've discovered actually works when friends and family visit or when I'm heading home for the holidays.

Souvenirs People Actually Want

Fortnum & Mason Tea

Okay, so British people really do drink a lot of tea. Fortnum & Mason is the fancy version- they literally supply the Royal Family. The best part? Those gorgeous turquoise tins that people actually keep and reuse forever. Get the Earl Grey or Royal Blend, and you can grab them at Heathrow duty-free to save luggage space.

Price point: £10-20 depending on size. Not cheap, but feels even more expensive.

Museum Gift Shops

This is my secret weapon. London's major museums are FREE, and their gift shops are incredible. The London Transport Museum sells things made from actual Tube seat fabric- yes, that iconic pattern. It's quirky, useful, and properly London without being tacky.

The Tate Modern has stunning art prints and books. The British Museum does beautiful jewelry. The V&A has design-focused homeware. You can browse guilt-free since you're not paying entry, see some world-class art, and leave with brilliant gifts.

British Chocolate (Not Cadbury)

If you want to impress, skip regular Cadbury and go for Hotel Chocolat or William Curley. They're proper British luxury chocolatiers with creative flavors and beautiful packaging. The bonus? Even if it's not someone's favorite thing, they'll share it and it won't create clutter like a souvenir would.

Find them in department stores or their own shops around central London.

Vintage Market Finds

This is where London really shines. Portobello Road on Saturdays is massive- you can find vintage maps of London, old travel posters, antique jewellery, quirky collectables that have actual history. It's perfect for that person who likes unique things with a story.

Brick Lane Vintage Market at The Old Truman Brewery runs on Sundays and is incredible for retro fashion, 70s band tees, 90s denim, and vintage leather jackets. Way cooler than anything you'd find in a regular shop, and usually cheaper too.

Columbia Road Flower Market is on Sunday mornings, and it's absolutely gorgeous. The whole street transforms into this explosion of plants and flowers. You can grab potted herbs, succulents, or beautiful handmade ceramics from the surrounding shops. Nothing says "I thought about you" like a plant that'll live on their windowsill.

British Marmalade or Jam

Okay, hear me out. Seville orange marmalade is quintessentially British- bitter, sweet, and perfect on toast. Pair it with some artisan jam from Borough Market (think rhubarb and ginger, or strawberry and elderflower) and you've got a breakfast gift that's both delicious and practical.

It doesn't take up luggage space, won't break, and actually gets used. Plus, every time they spread it on their morning toast, they'll think of you. That's what a good gift should do.

Books from Independent Bookshops

London has some of the world's best bookshops, and a book makes such a thoughtful gift. Hatchards in Piccadilly has been around since 1797- it's Britain's oldest bookshop and has gorgeous hardcovers and special editions you won't find everywhere.

Daunt Books in Marylebone is stunning, with an Edwardian gallery and books organised by country (perfect for travel lovers). Foyles on Charing Cross Road is legendary and massive, with signed copies and rare finds.

Grab something by a British author, or a beautiful coffee table book about London architecture or history. Write a note on the inside cover about your time in London, and suddenly it's not just a book but a memory. Books are personal, they don't expire, and they don't clutter up someone's shelf in that guilty "I should display this souvenir" way.

Save Your Money

• Anything covered in Union Jacks

Unless it's actually well-made (like Paul Smith or Liberty doing it properly), it's usually cheap material with a flag slapped on. Hard pass.

• Big Ben Figurines and Red Bus Models 

These just gather dust. Too big to tuck away, too tacky to display, too guilt-inducing to throw out. You're giving someone a storage problem, not a gift.

• "Funny" Royal Family Items

Face masks of the King, cheeky mugs, corgi tea towels- they seem hilarious in the shop but are actually just awkward. If you want something royal-adjacent, just get Fortnum's tea.

• Telephone Box Tins with Tea

The tea inside is universally terrible, and the tin is too small to be useful. If you're doing tea, do it properly with Fortnum & Mason or Twinings.

• "I <3 London" Anything

It's 2025. Just... no.

My Golden Rules

Buy what Londoners would actually buy. I've learned to notice what local students and young professionals actually use and wear. That's your guide.

Quality over novelty. One beautiful item beats five cheap ones every time. People remember the gorgeous Liberty washbag; they forget the fifth magnet.

Shop where locals shop. Borough Market, Columbia Road Flower Market, Portobello Road. Museum gift shops. These places survive on more than just tourists.

The practicality test: Will they use it, eat it, or actually display it? If the answer is "shove it in a drawer," put it back.

The Bottom Line

The difference between a brilliant souvenir and a tourist trap: Would you actually want to receive this? Not "is it obviously from London?" but would you genuinely want to own it?

Next time you're tempted by Leicester Square gift shops, walk to Fortnum's, or the nearest museum instead. Your friends and family will actually appreciate what you give them, and you won't contribute to the mountain of plastic that clutters half the planet.

London has so much genuine brilliance to offer once you know where to look. As a student figuring this city out, finding the real gems among the tourist traps has been half the fun.