New Year is getting closer, and if you're looking for unusual and truly original gifts, consider museum souvenirs. In this article I describe what souvenirs you can find in museums.
A modern museum souvenir isn't just a magnet!
In recent years museum staff have been actively creating souvenir products: some produce original souvenirs, others collaborate with artisans and sell products made by other manufacturers.
Where are museum souvenirs sold?
The question seems simple, but there are nuances in the world of museum souvenirs. Most often souvenirs can only be bought at the museum itself — for example, at the ticket office or in a small shop nearby.\r\n\r\nLess often you can find full-fledged museum stores, though those exist too. For example, the State Historical Museum.\r\n\r\nSome museums have online stores, and some even appear on marketplaces.\r\n\r\nSometimes it's possible to arrange for a souvenir to be sent by Russian Post or another delivery service.\r\n\r\nOne more way, though not very popular either, is a product showcase in the museum's VKontakte group.
What souvenirs can you find in museums?
Perhaps the most interesting souvenirs are those related to a museum's collection and museum activities. For example, a themed game connected to the museum building or exhibition. A puzzle dedicated to an exhibit. Or a utilitarian item, like a pencil case or a tote bag decorated with a museum print.\r\r\nIn museum shops and stores you can find stationery: pencils, notebooks, albums, stickers.\r\r\nThere are also creative kits. For example, at the private museum 'Energy of Dreams' located in a former flax mill, they sell a set called 'Block-printing a design on a linen napkin'. Using stamps you can create a napkin with a unique pattern and use it at home. The set includes everything needed: two napkins, paint, stamps, a sponge, and a small box.
How much do museum souvenirs cost?
The price range is very wide. You can buy a nice little item for 100 rubles, for example a pencil, or you can find something exclusive for several thousand rubles.
Let's look at what souvenirs museums offer
The State Historical Museum has both a real souvenir shop and an online store with convenient catalog search. A separate section is devoted to children's souvenirs. I noticed the games and stationery. You can assemble a set consisting of pencils, an eraser, and an album. Puzzle lovers will surely appreciate wooden and 3D puzzles. And, of course, the games section: there are checkers, a kaleidoscope, and origami! By the way, the online store already has New Year's decorations!
One of the games you can buy at the Historical Museum
In the museum's souvenir shop you can buy the wooden construction set 'Falconier', a T-shirt with images of brickwork from the museum's collection, and also a soft toy 'brick bear', which also features a brickwork pattern. Unusual!
A lightweight toy is convenient to take on a trip.
The museum sells the book 'Snegurochka' by Elena Abdulaeva. It is an adapted retelling of the eponymous play by A. N. Ostrovsky for children aged 4-10. Wonderful illustrations and design, a hardcover binding, and a clear retelling of the 'adult' work make the book an excellent New Year's gift. Shchelykovo is the homeland of the tale 'Snegurochka': local legends and the nature itself inspired the playwright to create this poetic work.\r\r\nNow the writer's museum houses the Residence of Snegurochka, where children can meet fairy-tale characters. Museum staff can also send the book by mail.
The museum offers the game 'Memo', whose illustrations are items from the museum's collections. The set includes a box, 18 pairs of cards (36 cards total), and the game rules. You can learn more about the exhibited items by scanning the QR code in the game's rules.
Photo on the cover: the board game 'Educational Journey Across Red Square', State Historical Museum
