Hot vacation decor finds

If you’re heading to: Belize
Be sure to bring home: A hand-lathed, kiln-dried hardwood salad bowl and hand-carved salad tongs.
Why: You’re going to get accosted by peddlers anyway (on your way to the more popular Mayan ruins) so you may as well pass on the shell keychain and support local artisans with something useful and also beautiful. And great salad gear means you’d be more inclined to whip up a healthy salad more often than usual.
Armchair travelers can score the find at: fair-trade importers like Ten Thousand Villages.

If you’re heading to: Thailand
Be sure to bring home: They’re a bit cumbersome, but consider toting home (or shipping separately), a Thai spirit house. TIP: See our article How to score decorating finds while traveling. These intricate, hand-carved objects resemble bird houses in scale and can be placed indoors or out. 
Why: Spirit houses are believed to shelter spirits who will protect your home and bring you prosperity and good luck. Besides that, they’re beautiful to look at. Show your respect by placing yours on a pedestal or high shelf.
Armchair travelers can score the find at: Vancouver e-tail (and retail) shop spirithouse.ca, which tries to buy direct from artisans rather than middlemen, to help ensure fairer trade practices.

If you’re heading to: Croatia
Be sure to bring home: Lacework from the island of Pag
Why: This isn’t your grandmother’s lace. Actually – wait a minute – it might be, but lace is a hot fashion ticket this season, so there’s never been a better time to pretty up an outfit with something so feminine and flirty. (Plus, you won’t be able to get any of the famed Croatian liqueurs into your carry-on, anyway).
Armchair travelers can score the find at: Sorry, we couldn’t find any online retailers carrying it. Better book that trip and open your own online lacework shop!

Read more in Shopping and Great Stuff