Originally Posted by DCA Blondie
I do the same thing....seem to find good luck with key chains. In Amsterdam, a keychain with a tiny pair of red wooden shoes started it all. Take off the "key" part and turn it into a Christmas ornament. A chili pepper from Texas, a red phone booth from London, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. Interesting tree, and fun to walk down memory lane each year as we decorate.
We've got a chili pepper from Texas as well. Either Dallas, Ft. Worth, or Austin - can't recall.
Got a miniature "Manekin Pis" from Brussels, and a really neat hand-made glass Czech beer drinker. I'll have to make an actual inventory next year. Problem is we do not store new acquisitions w/ Xmas decorations - to aggravating to get into attic. Tree time comes, and we scratch our heads thinking, "Didn't we get that whatchamacallit in so-and-so place last Spring?"
Generally look for handicrafts, but sometimes the keychains are "just right."