Saying goodbye is always an emotional journey, but choosing the right memento can add a heartfelt touch to the farewell. This article brings together expert opinions on meaningful farewell gifts that resonate with expats embarking on their next adventure. Discover unique tokens of appreciation that capture the essence of shared experiences and cultures.
Goodbye Dinners with Friends
I lived in Lisbon, Portugal, for a year, from 2018 to 2019, and during this time, I managed to meet my current partner and many people.
The farewell gift I received when we left the country together was multiple nights out with fantastic food and good company, where we really got to say goodbye properly.
I didn’t need a physical gift, but I needed the ability to say goodbye properly rather than just meeting up, hugging, and talking for a couple of minutes.
Taking the time to go out and eat multiple times and really talk through all our memories was amazing, and it’s something I can strongly recommend to anyone in this situation.
Phillip Stemann, Travel Enthusiast, LisboaVibes
Handcrafted Arabic Coffee Set
When I left Dubai after living there for a couple of years, I received a farewell gift that was simple but incredibly meaningful—a handcrafted Arabic coffee set. The set included a beautiful dallah (traditional coffee pot) and small cups designed with intricate patterns, along with a selection of high-quality Arabic coffee.
I lived in Dubai for about two years, and during that time, Arabic coffee became more than just a beverage; it became a symbol of the hospitality and warmth I experienced in the region. The coffee rituals, where friends and colleagues would sit together to enjoy coffee and engage in conversation, were an integral part of my experience. This gift not only reminded me of the countless moments of connection and sharing I had with locals and fellow expats but also served as a tangible reminder of the culture I had grown to love.
What I really appreciated about the gift was how thoughtful it was—many people know that coffee is a key part of Arab culture, but it felt special because it was a personalized reminder of my time there. It wasn’t just about the object; it was about the memories and the experiences it represented. Every time I use the coffee set, it takes me back to Dubai and the rich cultural experience I had there.
That farewell gift wasn’t just a memento; it was a bridge back to a place that had become a second home to me. It made me feel that, no matter where life took me next, I would always have a piece of Dubai to carry with me.
Georgi Petrov, CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER
Watercolor of Colombian Street
As an expat, one farewell gift that really resonated with me was a hand-painted watercolor of my street in Colombia, where I had lived for about six years while scaling BestRetreats.co. It came from a close friend I had met through a local coworking space—a person who had witnessed me work through late nights and sweaty days building the business. He had commissioned a local artist to create it, capturing the steep hills and colorful houses I had passed daily. It cost him perhaps $30, but it made a significant impact.
I had moved there after leaving the U.S., pursuing a hunch about retreat markets, and Colombia became my second home—wild, chaotic, and full of life. I was there from late 2019 to mid-2025, balancing entrepreneurship with my anthropology fieldwork. That painting wasn’t just art; it was a snapshot of the place that had shaped me—where I learned Spanish, how to dodge motorbikes, and how to embrace a slower pace. I appreciated it because it wasn’t generic—no tourist trinkets—just a subtle nod to the everyday things I would miss. Now it’s on my wall, a connection to those years without being overly sentimental about it.
Chris Brewer, Managing Director, Best Retreats
Framed Photo of Shared Meal
I travel often for work, and during one of my recent trips, I spent a few weeks in Singapore. When I was leaving, a local friend gave me a framed photo of us enjoying a traditional Chili Crab meal together. It was simple but meaningful–it captured a shared moment and felt very personal. That gift reminded me how quickly strong connections can form, even in a short time.
At Nepal Hiking Team, we also believe in thoughtful gestures. When guests finish their journey with us, we often present them with a Khada, a ceremonial scarf made by local women from Phusinhima. It’s a small but heartfelt token of respect, and many travelers have told us how much they appreciated it.
Balaram Thapa, Co-Founder/CEO, Nepal Hiking Team
Handcrafted Leather Mate Gourd
When I left Rockford, Michigan and moved to Mendoza, Argentina, I had no idea how deeply that experience would shape me. I ended up living there for five years. It became more than just a place I lived. It became a second home. The culture, the people, the rhythm of life–it all became part of who I was. And when it came time to leave, saying goodbye was much harder than I ever expected.
On my last week in Mendoza, one of my closest friends gave me a farewell gift that I still cherish to this day. It was a handcrafted leather mate gourd with a bombilla, a traditional Argentine set used to drink yerba mate. At first glance, it might have seemed like a typical local souvenir, but it meant so much more to me.
Mate is not just a drink in Argentina. It is a daily ritual that brings people together. During my time in Mendoza, mate became a way of life. I shared it with coworkers, neighbors, and friends. We drank mate in the shade of vineyards, on long workdays, in quiet parks, and in homes during simple, heartfelt conversations. It became a symbol of connection and community.
The gourd my friend gave me had the outline of the Andes Mountains carved into its side. Inside, he had tucked a small handwritten note. He wrote about the conversations we had, the time we spent building a friendship, and how sharing mate became part of our story. He told me that even though I was leaving, a part of me would always be there.
That mate set now sits on a shelf in my home back in Michigan. I do not use it every day, but I see it every time I walk past. It reminds me of Mendoza, not just the place but the feeling of belonging I found there. It reminds me of a slower, more intentional way of living, one where connection mattered more than speed, and moments were shared instead of rushed.
Looking back, I realize that gift represented everything Mendoza gave me. A sense of calm. A sense of friendship. A sense of home. It was not expensive. It was not flashy. But it was meaningful in every way. That farewell gift did not just say goodbye. It said, remember this part of your life, because it changed you. And I always will.
